Bike Paint

[grantwils]

I've had real difficulty getting paint for my Z as kwak don't do paint codes and don't supply them any more. It's a 2 coat pearlescent called candy lightning blue.

I eventually got a number for a company called http://www.RSBikePaint.co.uk and spoke with renatta who knew exactly what colour I needed and could supply the paint for doing it at home or the paint for a body shop to do it.

I said I was unsure whether to do it myself or whether to get a bodyshop to do it. She said she could send me the stuff to do the front mudguard myself and if it worked well I could do the whole bike myself. She then asked if I wanted just the paint or the whole kit with everything I need. I said just supply everything I'll need.

I've just ordered two aerosols of paint [1 silver, 1 blue as it's a two coat] wet & dry, rubbing compound, primer filler for the scuffs, and special cloths. All in it was £67 but she says if I do go on to do the rest of the bike all I'll need is paint as everything else will keep. The aerosols have a shelf life of 4-5 years so it can be kept and used for any future scrapes & scratches.

Should arrive by Friday and I'll let you all know how I get on - working 12 hour shifts over weekend so I wont be doing it then. They say they can get absolutely any colour for any bike made even back to bikes made in the 1920's!

*EDIT* Forgot to mention that they can supply half litre tubs of 2 coat pearlescent for about £78 if you want a bodyshop to do it - should be enough for a whole bike. Single coat paints are obviously almost half that price.

[Rick_1138]

i used a similar stuff for my Big Mans Wanger Cage, i had to respray the front and rear wing areas over the wheels.

The spray can you get is a little differetn in that it sprays the paint like a spray guun, kind of like a vertical line of spraying rather than the usual circle, if you get me?

A good colour match is often achieved, just take your time, and as ever, the real work is in the preperation, not the painting

[Backs 400]

Watch the temperature as well.....most 2 part paints require a stable temperature to cure properly. Might be 20 degrees during the day, but its been dropping to 5 degrees at night....can cause small blemishes to form, almost like fuzzy crop circles in the paint.

As said above..its the preperation that is the really important thing, and once fully cured, it will need blending in to the existing paint using a rubbing compound (T-cut will do but you can get proper stuff).

Have a look at this site
http://www.stephen.hull.btinternet.co.uk/
loads and loads of tips for getting a good finish...