Respray

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

Hi. I'd like to repsray my gpz500s. All the panels are intact if a little bit scratched & cracked. I'd like to fill the cracks & respray the bike black with laquar (i think matt black will just make it look like it's been dropped & repaired cheaply). Can anyone suggest what i should use? My dad's got a spray gun to hopefully get a good finish. How many layers of paint & laquar shall i put on? I was thinking of getting white kawasaki stickers from ebay to replack the ones that will get sprayed over. Can i put these on before the laquar to give a smooth final finish to the bike?
I'd also like to get the wheels black powder coated.
What do you think?

MattHirst · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Karma :

If you have the tackle then i'd say go for it. Should look pretty neat.

Although, the frame, engine and plastics being black....i think the wheels could be a little OTT. Maybe get the 'rim' polished Shocked

while the spokes power coated (you know what i mean!)

Nice clean looking bike though Smile

duncanpage · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

I was thinking of fitting chrome engine crash bars to match the top of the forks & the nexxus exhaust so maybe polished rims will look good. Where do i look to get something like that done? Can any bodyshop do it?

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

You need to take the stickers off before spraying.

Preparation is the time consuming part. Paint won't generally hide defects, in fact new paint is very good at showing all the faults that exist in a panel. Dodgy body filler, scratches, sanding marks, grease, polish, orange peel, and just about everything else you can think of will stand out from a mile away.

Unless you know what your up to I can guarantee that the end results, especially this time of year, will be worse than what you have now. You really need somewhere warm, dry and dust free.

Best option is to get yourself down to a paint shop, tell them what your up to and ask for advice. Choice of paint, thinners, primer, etc will make a difference to the finish you get.

Get yourself some cheap paint etc, and spray an old panel. Practice smoothing body filler and spray primer over it to see if the repair is visible.

Suppose the other option is to get a load of spray cans and go for it, you might get lucky.

Gradog · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Karma :

You will want to use a sealent first, to give proper adhesion to the repairs, then which ever colour you choose, then you can put on the stickers and finish with at leat 3 coats of laquer. I have the number of a guy who is excellent and will give you a showroom finish if thats what you want.
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