Trophy Making Good Bits On My Bike

KevofCov · Nov 20, 2020

Hi all
Can anybody offer any advice. I’m trying to improve the cosmetic appearence of my bike over this winter ready for the spring. I do want to take a bit of pride in the job.
The bits that need rubbing down and painting (e.g. the pillion grab rail), I intend to rub down and spray with a rattle can. How do I get a satisfying finish? Are base coat layers worth the effort/needed? Is rattle can Laqueur useful?
Or is the whole excercise not worth my effort and just hand it over to professionals who will make good small quantities?

dilligaf · Nov 20, 2020

Easy answer have a go
If you feck it up so what at least you tried
If it works.....feckin brilliant
If it doesn’t don’t tell anyone

good luck

andypandy · Nov 22, 2020

I'd say prep is the key. Get a mirror smooth surface to start with.

Aidan · Nov 23, 2020

If doing fuel tank, use 2 pack rattle can lacquer. I did a fuel tank last year and used etch primer, couple of coats of paint, then couple of coats of 2 pack lacquer (all rattle cans). Used 800 then 1200 grit sandpaper between primer/paint/lacquer, then same for lacquer coat. Finish off with polishing compound. Hard work but worth the effort. Big advantage for the DIY sprayer is being able to buy and use solvent based paint.