Painting a tank for the first time

Ok, so I've never painted a tank before, but I want to take a shot at it. I'd like to paint my '82 xj550 tank.


The Yamaha logos have been removed, so there's the dents on the tank from where they were mounted. I've sanded them down as much as possible, but they're still noticeable. I think I saw one time on here that someone used a putty or foam of some sort to spray on it then sand down? Not sure.

Also, I'd like to know exactly what I need to buy as far as primer, what type of paint, etc. Basically an entire step-by-step. I plan on rattle-canning it.

I'd like to get a grey color like this, and I want to do a black stripe (3-4") down the middle of it, and put the Yamaha fork logos on each side of the tank.

Any other advice would be awesome as well.

 

all you need to do is buy a can of bondo
fill the emblem hole.. sand it all nice and smooth
then prime.. and do your painting
I used Rustoleum at 4 bux a can
and that is fine
the problem is you need to clear coat the tank when done
or any drop of gas will ruin all the hard work
you will need at least a can of this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eastwood-2K-Aer ... ls&vxp=mtr
I needed 2..
and then when dry.. you wet sand and then polish
if by chance you get no runs, and like the orange peel look
you can leave it
I got a few runs
and after 2 cans I decided that a few blemishes were gonna
have to remain
but it still turned out great
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=46128.html

 

Rustoleum Primer and Paint? How many coats?

I'll pick up a few cans of clear coat as well when I buy the paint. Thanks.


Good looking bike btw, I plan on wrapping my exhaust as well.

 

I used one can of primer.. 2 coats
then about 3 coats of paint
I think I ended up getting 2 cans
the bondo is easy... apply and then sand... coarser grit
to finer grit
wrapping the exhaust is tricky.. but make sure to
buy the silicone spray.. the last thing you want is for it to
come off driving down the road
ohh and when you put your exhaust back on
do it piece by piece.. lesson learned

 

Thanks, I'll post pictures as I do it. I'll probably get started as soon as my seat gets back from the upholstery shop.

As far as the exhuast goes- how far back did you wrap them? I was thinking about trying to go all the way to where the tips start. Or would you just recommend wrapping the 4 pipes and stopping where they join up?

 

I just did the front parts.. I sanded and painted the back with
high heat enamel
really was not hard to do
the wrapping is not hard
just a pain when you have arthritis in your hands like I do
I used wire and hose clamps
wire 1st to secure it.. then I used hose clamps just in case
the sanding is not to hard to do.. maybe took me half an hour

 

Maybe I'll just do that then, yours look really good. I've got a guy that's gonna paint my engine with high heat enamel, so maybe I'll just get him to do the exhaust as well so they match. Did you paint the whole thing and then just wrap over it, or take off the front parts, wrap them, then sand and paint the remaining?

 

why paint what you are going to wrap?

 

Engine paint will not last on the exhaust, you need exhaust/header paint. I would do the paint on the pipes and forget the wrap.
Make sure you sand the tank area for bondo down to the metal. I used dupli-color clear engine enamel over the painted tank on mine, not expensive and holds up well.

 

Any reason in particular you say forget the wrap? I think it looks pretty slick

 

1. Wrapping pipes is a PITA.
2. Wrapped pipes are slower to dissipate heat.
3. The wrapping can come loose and lead to more maintenance.
4. Don't know if its true, have heard the wrap holds moisture and will rust pipes quicker.
Some may argue these points. Wrap may look good, but painting the pipes is cheaper, quicker and less hassle. The paint also comes in a few different colors.

 

Wrapped pipes do look sick
but like they say.. it is a pain.. I think it took me
about 2 hours to wrap all four pipes
the hard part is getting the mounting plates in the right
spot.. you must get them in place then wrap.. a bit tricky
but you need to just think about it
then there is the fact that you are using insulation
so you have to make sure to not touch them too much
aka wear rubber hospital gloves or EMT gloves
and of course you are dealing with wet wrap.. since you have to
soak it
once in place you have to make sure they are not going to
move.. I sprayed them with the silicone
now they are solid and look great
but I could have high heat enameled them just as easy
overall I love the look.. had the wrap not been given to me
I think I could have spent 50 bux elsewhere on parts

 

I've got an extra exhaust, so I might just paint it and see how I like it.

I'd really like a 4-1 exhaust, both are 4-2.

 

Some even argue that point.

And I've never seen wrapped pipes on a RIDDEN bike that didn't permanently look like crap after a couple thousand miles. You can't subsequently clean the wrap effectively.

If they can't be chrome, then Jet-Hot coating is the way to go. If that's too expensive, then properly applied, a DIY header paint can hold up quite well.

 

Wrap it but wear a long sleeve shirt or you will be itching later..
if you don't want to wear a LS sleeve shirt then my suggestion is to spread vaseline petroleum jelly on your arms so the fiberglass dont stick to your body... I used to hang gil liner for cargo planes and that is what i used to keep from itching.. also use gloves and a paper mask.

 

When you go paint your tank use build primer or etching primer...
then wet sand it and then use a precleaner to remove grease from your fingers and then a tac cloth (home depot)

Paint use two stage

Base paint and then clear coat.. ...

Dont use single stage... it runs and then it looks like a mess...

take your time dont rush it.

 

Ok, if I'm gonna paint it... what's the best way to do it in a flat black? Is that possible or am I out of my league here?

I'm picking my second set of exhaust from @Thrasher on either Tuesday or Wednesday. They're 'chrome' now, but they're obviously used and have a few very minor flaws. They're 99% rust free from what I can see in the pictures as well.

 

Flat Black is overdone !
Too many people have done that.. Since im using chrome in my build i opted to paint my tank and fenders glossy black or a polished satin finish.
Check my build link below

 

How about flat/satin dark blue with a gun metal grey frame?

 

I don't think I'm ready to tackle the frame yet haha. The tank is currently a flat gray (got bored with a buddy and plasti-dipped it), but I'm probably going to paint it a glossy gray. I'm open to any color scheme ideas as far as the exhaust/tank though. The frame will probably stay black for now though.

Here's what the tank looks like now (I've added a U to the back of the frame and made a new seat pan-currently being upholstered. I've also gotten new tires) but you can see what I'm working with.