My Road to Rod

[craig s.]

ok,got a question for ya..its been about 2months since you painted it flatblack right?..hows the paintjob holdin up,ive just painted my flatblack last week,goin to install all the pieces back on today but was wondering how your paints holdin up to the elements.

[Aced It]

Originally Posted by craig s.

ok,got a question for ya..its been about 2months since you painted it flatblack right?..hows the paintjob holdin up,ive just painted my flatblack last week,goin to install all the pieces back on today but was wondering how your paints holdin up to the elements.

I've had no problems. It's all about preparation and materials used. It is a rattle-can job (as I imagine yours is) so, while I am a perfectionist, I'm not too worried about anything that I can fix.

[craig s.]

Originally Posted by Aced It

I've had no problems. It's all about preparation and materials used. It is a rattle-can job (as I imagine yours is) so, while I am a perfectionist, I'm not too worried about anything that I can fix.

for the tank,i stripped it completely down to bare metal with aircraft stripper,washed it with soap/water several times to neutralize it..let dry,whiped down with alchohol(i didnt have funds to buy the best stuff,but knew alchohol dried quick and cleaned finger prints off)..i sprayed used rustoleum primer,several light coats,lettin each one dry for 15-20mins..wet sanded usin 1500 grit paper,washed,dried,alchohol,sprayed usin rustoleum flatblack,several coats again,15-20mins dry time..after a day,wet sanded usin 360 grit,then 1500grit to get some roughness off..repeated steps...it took me a cpl days or so in between painting,i done the same with the front fender and rear plastic fender but didnt strip to bare metal on the front..sanded,primed painted..pics are in my photo album if ya wanna check em out..i was/am just worried about the paint holdin up to the elements and or showin the slightest dirt/fingerprints..thanks for gettin back with me.

[Aced It]

Originally Posted by craig s.

for the tank,i stripped it completely down to bare metal with aircraft stripper,washed it with soap/water several times to neutralize it..let dry,whiped down with alchohol(i didnt have funds to buy the best stuff,but knew alchohol dried quick and cleaned finger prints off)..i sprayed used rustoleum primer,several light coats,lettin each one dry for 15-20mins..wet sanded usin 1500 grit paper,washed,dried,alchohol,sprayed usin rustoleum flatblack,several coats again,15-20mins dry time..after a day,wet sanded usin 360 grit,then 1500grit to get some roughness off..repeated steps...it took me a cpl days or so in between painting,i done the same with the front fender and rear plastic fender but didnt strip to bare metal on the front..sanded,primed painted..pics are in my photo album if ya wanna check em out..i was/am just worried about the paint holdin up to the elements and or showin the slightest dirt/fingerprints..thanks for gettin back with me.

Sounds like you did a good job. I didn't even prime mine as the sanded down factory paint provided a fine base. Now, I did not use 'flat' black for the purpose of having more of a sheen and reducing surface blemishes like fingerprints and fuel oopsies. I used a 'semi-flat' which is similar to an eggshell finish. Sanding it gave it a bit more sheen than I wanted, but it's live-able. I would say that if you're worried about the elements you may want to consider a flat clear-coat too. Just my 2 cents.

[animalx619x]

just read the WHOLE thread. First of all, props on the build.
I kept seeing your pic on your sig in other threads and always found myself scrolling down a thread and stopping to see your bike again! lol looks great. Cannot say I have not considered a similar build on my bike.... i recently did a rattle can job on some car rims and they turned out great... buuuuut i was so tired of surface prep by the time i was done (snowflake spokes are a PITA) that i said to myself that I have had enough of painting for a while.... maybe once the winter kicks in, i will re-consider
anyhow, once again, awesome build

[craig s.]

Originally Posted by Aced It

Sounds like you did a good job. I didn't even prime mine as the sanded down factory paint provided a fine base. Now, I did not use 'flat' black for the purpose of having more of a sheen and reducing surface blemishes like fingerprints and fuel oopsies. I used a 'semi-flat' which is similar to an eggshell finish. Sanding it gave it a bit more sheen than I wanted, but it's live-able. I would say that if you're worried about the elements you may want to consider a flat clear-coat too. Just my 2 cents.

sorry but i just now seen this,i guess with all the topics and people postin on here all the time its really hard to keep up with everything on here..in order to see if anyones posted on my threads ive been goin to my name and clickin see threads started and checkin updates that way..lol..with this bein said, i seen this post was updated as someone posted prior to me so i went to read it and seen this..
anyhow,ive noticed on mine being flat black,it does show the slightest dirt,fingerprints and now dirty swirly marks from the condesation between the bike and bike cover,im hopin itll wash off,but i seen you said that i could clear it with a flat clear and that would protect it,with the decal on my tank,id like to because id think with it being white the slightest dirt would make the sticker become dirty and brown,much like whitewalled tires only i couldnt scrub this..my question about the flat clear,is would that become glossy if waxed by hand? id seen someone say that any clear coat would gloss if repeatedly waxed, or am i mistaken? thanks.

[TxShadow49]

Originally Posted by craig s.

..my question about the flat clear,is would that become glossy if waxed by hand? id seen someone say that any clear coat would gloss if repeatedly waxed, or am i mistaken? thanks.

Its been my experience that even glossy clear over flat paint won't give too much of a gloss effect. Some might even think it is pretty cool. Just my 2 cents.

[craig s.]

Originally Posted by TxShadow49

Its been my experience that even glossy clear over flat paint won't give too much of a gloss effect. Some might even think it is pretty cool. Just my 2 cents.

i was thinkin of tryin it out b4 i put my bike back together,but i didnt..man,i hate the thought of havin to tear it all back apart to put clear on it..but it needs to be done,but i'll wait til nxt spring when the days get longer again and warmer..its supposed to rain here the next few days,and cooler temps,not good paintin weather.

[Aced It]

Originally Posted by animalx619x

just read the WHOLE thread. First of all, props on the build.
I kept seeing your pic on your sig in other threads and always found myself scrolling down a thread and stopping to see your bike again! lol looks great. Cannot say I have not considered a similar build on my bike.... i recently did a rattle can job on some car rims and they turned out great... buuuuut i was so tired of surface prep by the time i was done (snowflake spokes are a PITA) that i said to myself that I have had enough of painting for a while.... maybe once the winter kicks in, i will re-consider
anyhow, once again, awesome build

Hey man I really appreciate the compliment, thanks! Snowflake eh? Yeah, I had those on my '92 GMC Jimmy ... they are a beeeeeeyotch just to keep clean, yet alone paint!

Originally Posted by craig s.

sorry but i just now seen this,i guess with all the topics and people postin on here all the time its really hard to keep up with everything on here..in order to see if anyones posted on my threads ive been goin to my name and clickin see threads started and checkin updates that way..lol..with this bein said, i seen this post was updated as someone posted prior to me so i went to read it and seen this..
anyhow,ive noticed on mine being flat black,it does show the slightest dirt,fingerprints and now dirty swirly marks from the condesation between the bike and bike cover,im hopin itll wash off,but i seen you said that i could clear it with a flat clear and that would protect it,with the decal on my tank,id like to because id think with it being white the slightest dirt would make the sticker become dirty and brown,much like whitewalled tires only i couldnt scrub this..my question about the flat clear,is would that become glossy if waxed by hand? id seen someone say that any clear coat would gloss if repeatedly waxed, or am i mistaken? thanks.

Hey, it's hard to keep up with all the topics, even your own; this I know too! My experience with clear over flat varies which is why I usually try a few out on test surfaces (not the bike) before actually applying it.

Originally Posted by TxShadow49

Its been my experience that even glossy clear over flat paint won't give too much of a gloss effect. Some might even think it is pretty cool. Just my 2 cents.

That's been pretty much mine, which exception to a few stubborn glosses.

Originally Posted by craig s.

i was thinkin of tryin it out b4 i put my bike back together,but i didnt..man,i hate the thought of havin to tear it all back apart to put clear on it..but it needs to be done,but i'll wait til nxt spring when the days get longer again and warmer..its supposed to rain here the next few days,and cooler temps,not good paintin weather.

Like I said, paint a test piece or two using some scrap metal and clear it before applying to your bike. It will definitely save you time and aggravation! Here's my swatches for the paint, in this case looking for the right sheen. I took a picture of the clears, but I can't find it. But I think you get the idea.


Well to further things that I've been still contemplating, I am still planning on red rims & maybe the spokes. I had an idea for cleaning up the stock turn indicators, but for now that fell by the way side. I recently redid the striping (I may have mentioned that) and it's much cleaner with better fitment and tolerance around the fuel tank. I also swapped out the spark plugs and fuel filter noticing a significant smoother revving.

Hey, all it takes is time and/or money ... and right now they're both a mystery. So until then, I just continue to enjoy the ride!

[Aced It]

Ah, well I did it now. Dernit if the bike doesn't look like a complete other bike. Didn't get an outside pic today (in a hurry to get to dinner), but will do tomorrow. Pics speak for themselves ... Here goes!