painting topbox rack.

[johnsmith222]

Hi guys.

I have a givi topbox rack that is composed of two metal arms and a plastic plate.

The paint all flaked off last winter and they were rusting up. I don't really have any money but have hammerite black that I can paint on with a brush.

I'm really just looking to protect the metal underneath. The metal arms have already been rubbed down, but what grade sandpaper should I use last before putting the paint on?

I have painted quite a few things with hammerite but it has always resulted in it flaking off and rust forming on it.

Also, how many coats do you recommend I do?

Thank you for any helpful tips.

-David.

[andy_uk]

If it was me, then I'd use "P120 finishing paper"
Make sure all bare metal is coated with at least 2 coats of Hammerite. Depending on how old your tin is, you may need to get your subsequent coats on as soon as the previous one is dry.
Each coat should be 4 times the thickness of standard household gloss paint so don't over brush it when applying it.
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Aprilia Classic 125, GS500E, ER5-A1, ER5-C4, ER6 & an XJ6 project frame...

[FerretFing]

I recently bought a BMW F650 & the racks were pretty rusty;

https://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/ferretmonsters/bmw%20f650st/before.jpg

I just got the loose stuff off with a wire brush & gave it a quick go over with something like P40 paper (very coarse) - find that the rougher the surface the better the grip/key for the paint....used Hammerite direct-to-rust paint 3 coats & the results are fine for me;

https://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/ferretmonsters/bmw%20f650st/painted.jpg

[johnsmith222]

Thanks a lot guys for taking the time to answer my question! I am confident enough to do it and it should hopefully work out better than previous attempts. I think I was using too fine a sandpaper.

Thanks again!!!

[grant965]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Not with Hammerite, it's like painting with marmite.
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[andy_uk]

Not if it's the final sand before applying the first coat. Hammerite (including the smooth one) tend to cover a multitude of imperfections.
When sanding between coats I'd go for 320 or finer...
____________________
Aprilia Classic 125, GS500E, ER5-A1, ER5-C4, ER6 & an XJ6 project frame...

[johnsmith222]

i think my lack of sanding between coats is where I have gone wrong in the past.

Ah well, I have now learned.

[andy_uk]

Make sure they're fully dry before sanding though...
If you can spare the time, leave it a full day at least.
____________________
Aprilia Classic 125, GS500E, ER5-A1, ER5-C4, ER6 & an XJ6 project frame...