Changing from factory to custom paint

When I originally got my bike I took the tank off to get a key made (because it was given me with no keys) and discovered lots of surface rust under the tank. There was also a lot of surface rust/pitting on the top and sides of the tank. Since I already had it off, I went ahead and sanded and primed the tank. Now I'm at a crossroads.....

Do I paint the tank back to original black with blue flecks (if I can find it) or do I change the color? I have a vision of what I would like to do, but it involves changing a lot of chrome parts to paint. Do you think this would make most XJ owners freak out?

If I was to go ahead and start changing parts from chrome to paint (i.e. paint, headers, possibly exhaust, side pieces) what is the best method?

 

It's your bike do what you want.(Just don't make it hideous) I painted over my chrome fenders (by "I" I mean my buddy who paints for a living) I think They where sanded first and then primed with etching primer. It has been holding up well. Paint does not like to stick to chrome without some treatment.

 

Hidrous? is that like going (Ape S#@T) with a spray can of flat black paint like some of the guys do :?:

 

LIke Threadbrewer says, it's your bike.

If it were me, I would paint the bike how I wanted to if the bike wasn't in the greatest of cosmetic condition.

If it were in good condition, I would tend to leave it factory.

depends what you like the look of and what makes you happy.

 

I guess the real issue is there is ALOT of rust on most of the chrome pieces so if I ever want them to look good I have 3 choices. 1) Buy new ones which is expensive 2) Have them refinished by a professional, also expensive or 3) Do it myself. I have the patience to do it, I just need to make sure I'm doing it correctly. I've heard lots of people around here talk about paint coming off previously chromed parts.

 

FYI, I would like to go with a dark green on the body parts and maybe frame and black out most, if not all, of the chrome. Nothing too crazy.

 

I've completely repainted my xj passion purple pearl frame and lime time pearl tank, side panels and fenders. Looks very hot. I'll post pics when its done. Its all a matter of personal taste, if you like it painted then paint it.

 

That sounds like it would look very bold! I guess that's why you named it Frakenbike? Are you changing chrome parts to paint as well?

 

if you take a look at my gallery you'll see i completely repainted every piece on the bike that I could get off and then some. If you take the time to prep/sand everything then it will stick. Just try to use the right paint for the material you are painting. Just take your time and it will turn out nicely

 

So I went to Wal-Mart (I know high class, huh?) to check out colors and I found one I really like, it's Krylon's Indoor/Outdoor Satin Italian Olive. It's almost an army green color.

Has anyone used this type of paint for their bike? Will it stick to both metal and plastic as it claims? I'm thinking about giving the tank a really good coat of color and then a good clear coat. I'm still working out fender colors and such, but I think I want to at least paint the side chrome and plastic pieces. Then maybe expand to the fenders after I see what I have. Suggestions? Opinions?

 

82secacustom, could you give me a quick outline on what steps you took for sanding and prepping the chrome?

 

Basically I sanded the item with a coarse paper to start with then washed it put a few layers on then sanded it again with a finer paper added a few more coats. I used hi temp engine paint, the same stuff i used for the headers. For the low temp metals and plastics I used the krylon you are talking about and it turned out pretty nice. I just made sure to clear coat everything really well to prevent chips and gasoline damage.

 

Well that's encouraging! I may just go back to wal-mart and buy a few cans to see how it works! I guess starting with the tank woud be the easiest and I already have it all primed. Anyone know what Satin finish with a clear coat would look like? Do you still get a wet look with the clear coat?

 

yes

 

Good because I really like the color and I didn't want to have to sacrifice it. Just patched the emblem spots yesterday with some bondo, the bike was missing them when I got it and I didn't want to pay $30+ to replace them. It came out pretty good!

Now I need to figure out how to get the tank painted inside a borrowed garage with limited overspray. It's been windy for the past few days here in south central PA and I don't really like to do it outside to begin with. Because of my job I end up running out of sunlight just as I'm getting into the groove of things.

 

Tarp on the floor. Some kind of free standing structure with probably a post at each corner. Use I hooks or something similar and connect each post with wash line cord via the i hooks. Hang more tarp or painters plastic from the wash line cord. No overspray and depending on the construction easy clean up. I haved used this setup before and it works nice

 

I'm taking auto body and paint class at the local jr. college.
it's been great! not only do I have all the tools I could
possibly need but the experience of a teacher as well.
Next semester is the airbrush/pinstripe class which means
I'll have some goast flames - pearl over metal flake- or
maybe a candy and pearl. Haven't made up my mind yet.
I'm on unemployment and was able to get a "job skills upgrade"
scholership but even without it the class would be under $400.00
and I will have much more skill now then before.

 

By the way, does anyone here know the name (and mix) of the factory red color?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I ended up finding a corner of the house outback that is pretty much shielded from wind. Got the tank and some side pieces all done. Now I need to step back from it for a bit and think about what is next.

 

OEM motorcycle paints http://www.colorrite.com/

Great info and interesting auto spray paints with videos on application

https://www.duplicolor.com/index.html

Pretty useful information, if nothing else.

 

Thanks man! That was a HUGE help!