Go Kart Paint Job, Help?!?

[baileyboy1]

OK now you may remember me from my last post a long time ago on making a fully electric home made go kart. This didn't work. I didn't have enough money or experience, so I have brought a cheap go kart with minor problems . this is an old biz adult go kart with a 160cc engine. Everything is fine apart from the flat tyres, bad scratches, rusting bolts, bad bearings and a horrible red frame.

Now I have pretty much got everything i need to do under control but now I'm going to paint the frame another colour. This colour is going to be electric blue and I'm going to can spray it as I don't have a air compressor or paint gun. This is a problem as I don't know what to do or what to use, so that's my question:

What do i need, and what do i need to do to paint my go kart's frame????

I'm also going to ask what is a good UK spray paint brand????

So that's it, please help!!!
Thanks

baileyboy1

 

[OzFab]

First thing you need to do is tear it down to bare frame...

Next step is to asses & make any necessary repairs, then decide whether this will be a quick respray of a bare metal respray; for a rattle can respray I suggest a quick respray...

Cover any bare metal with 3 coats of primer, waiting about 10-15 minutes between coats. After leaving it for at least 24 hours, rub the whole frame down with 400 grit wet paper. Find somewhere to hang the frame, you'll end up with a more even finish than the spray & flip method...

When it's all rubbed down & hanging, clean the whole frame with wax & grease remover & leave it to dry. Once dry, apply 2-3 coats of you favourite colour, waiting 10-15 minutes between coats.

Leave the frame for a few days to dry & harden before reassembly to reduce the risk of scratching.

TIP: In areas like spindle mounts, where there's an interference fit, you'll need to rub the paint down a bit more because, once you apply more paint, the fit may be a bit tight, increasing the risk of paint damage

 

[J_Walker]

Bondo is your friend for chipping paint. or deep scratches..

Then use a filling automotive spray primer. choose the primer color with the paint color. since you're doing a blue. try to get a green primer if you can. other wise. grey will work too. Black if you don't mind the blue being a bit darker. but it will hide the red better too.

Also for paint... this is a very important part..

USE ACRYLIC SPRAY PAINT COLOR! yes you have to do re-search on what paints are acrylic.. Here's why.. Enamel paint takes MONTHS to dry, and that's leaving the parts INDOORS. Acrylic paint takes like a week or so to fully harden, and its pretty flexible too.

Also you're going to have to dish out like 22 bucks a can for this stuff.. but they make 2 part clear coats in cans, you have to bust the bottom of the can, it has a little nipple. then you have like 24 hours to use the can. depends what the instructions say. you find this type of paint at the paint store. but if you want for your undercoat to last. and not rust. DO THIS! By you following the instructions. you will have a really durable paint job! that should last you YEARS.

Also another note. Try to find out if you can, if the acrylic color paint will stand up to UV rays.

I've painted a few bicycles and dirtbikes this way. and all but one the paint is still new as day with a little washing and cleaning up.. also if you don't feel like dishing out 22 bucks on a single can of clear coat. Make sure to use acrylic clear coat with an anti-yellowing agent in it. you could also get these little Sticky backed carpet/rubbery like things? dunno what they are called. and put them in spots OVER your cured paint. where feet and stuff rubs/touches. longer the paint has to sit, the harder it will get and less likely to rub off/get dirt pushed into it.

 

[gallagher19]

Bondo is your friend for chipping paint. or deep scratches..

Then use a filling automotive spray primer. choose the primer color with the paint color. since you're doing a blue. try to get a green primer if you can. other wise. grey will work too. Black if you don't mind the blue being a bit darker. but it will hide the red better too.

Also for paint... this is a very important part..

USE ACRYLIC SPRAY PAINT COLOR! yes you have to do re-search on what paints are acrylic.. Here's why.. Enamel paint takes MONTHS to dry, and that's leaving the parts INDOORS. Acrylic paint takes like a week or so to fully harden, and its pretty flexible too.

Also you're going to have to dish out like 22 bucks a can for this stuff.. but they make 2 part clear coats in cans, you have to bust the bottom of the can, it has a little nipple. then you have like 24 hours to use the can. depends what the instructions say. you find this type of paint at the paint store. but if you want for your undercoat to last. and not rust. DO THIS! By you following the instructions. you will have a really durable paint job! that should last you YEARS.

Also another note. Try to find out if you can, if the acrylic color paint will stand up to UV rays.

I've painted a few bicycles and dirtbikes this way. and all but one the paint is still new as day with a little washing and cleaning up.. also if you don't feel like dishing out 22 bucks on a single can of clear coat. Make sure to use acrylic clear coat with an anti-yellowing agent in it. you could also get these little Sticky backed carpet/rubbery like things? dunno what they are called. and put them in spots OVER your cured paint. where feet and stuff rubs/touches. longer the paint has to sit, the harder it will get and less likely to rub off/get dirt pushed into it.

Very useful info. Hmmmmmmmm looks like my next winter project!!

 

[OzFab]

My motto has always been "if you're gonna do it, do it right the first time; that way there is no next time..."

 

[baileyboy1]

thanks a lot guys! i have started to get it ready to sand down now, now all i need is to go around and get what i need to start the painting!!!!

thanks again!!!
baileyboy1