Paint Job?

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 3:25 am

Any recommendations for someone who will do the prep, lay down the paint, put on the decals I supply, and spray on the topcoat -- and all for a price that is reasonable? I don't mean cheap, just reasonable. Or do people who don't do their own give the job to the local body shop? How well can they match the Honda CB750 Pleades Silver? Thanks in advance.

Jim
Elkhart

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 3:36 am

Elkhart wrote:

Any recommendations for someone who will do the prep, lay down the paint, put on the decals I supply, and spray on the topcoat -- and all for a price that is reasonable? I don't mean cheap, just reasonable. Or do people who don't do their own give the job to the local body shop? How well can they match the Honda CB750 Pleades Silver? Thanks in advance.

Jim
Elkhart

depends how fat your wallet is. Really you can get any color you want. I was quoted $700 for a 2 stage paint job and decals by a body shop... and that is if I took the bodywork to them off the bike.

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:01 am

razor02097 wrote:

Elkhart wrote:

Any recommendations for someone who will do the prep, lay down the paint, put on the decals I supply, and spray on the topcoat -- and all for a price that is reasonable? I don't mean cheap, just reasonable. Or do people who don't do their own give the job to the local body shop? How well can they match the Honda CB750 Pleades Silver? Thanks in advance.

Jim
Elkhart

depends how fat your wallet is. Really you can get any color you want. I was quoted $700 for a 2 stage paint job and decals by a body shop... and that is if I took the bodywork to them off the bike.

To tell you the truth $700 sounds like a great price to me. I was quoted a grond for two colors and decals, with me bringing the body work in. Sad

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:10 pm

IF you are patient and relatively handy, you can prep the body work and prime it yourself. Then take it in to Maaco for painting. Their paints really are good quality and the most important part of painting is the prep work. You want things smooth and even. Then a good layer of paint will stick. They could do the decal work as well. I agree that $700 for drop off and pick-up paint is a good deal.

Jose

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:29 pm

I paint myself, not a pro job but it is still pretty good. I had the silver color matched and it came out near to the silver Honda used in 1996 on their cars. I can't tell the difference between that and the stock paint, just make sure that it is a little metalic. I buy my auto paint over at NAPA so I can give you the color code if you want to head over there.

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:20 pm

$700=cheap. go for it..

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:42 pm

I got my bodywork painted for 200 bucks, just one colour, metallic with clearcoat. I only had the tank, sidepanels and cowl sprayed.

700 seems a bit much for me, I could have had special flake paint for 400. Ofcourse that's still withouth decals and just one colour though.

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:31 pm

I`m lucky to know a first class painter. A lifelong friend but he`s slow. my 650 metal has been in his hands for nearly a year. he`s only slow with his friends stuff. cant wait to get the bone shaker back on the road.
It is super easy to paint laquer or acrylic enamel and would have done it myself but he owed me for a loan so i just traded services.
Laquer can even be laid on with an airless sprayer, rub out is nessisary but it works. good luck with it.

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:22 am

2 colors, metalic and pearl, decals and clear $700=cheap

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:55 am

Larry does a pretty darn good job on his own stuff.

Maybe he'd be willing to take a stab at a side job so to speak.

Of course I can't speak for him, and he'd have to weigh in on the matter, but $700 seems awful high unless you want something showroom like.

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:30 am

Paint it yourself. Paint has evolved alot over the years and it is easier than ever to apply. The exact match honda silver base and the clear will run you about $130 and then buy a hvlp gun for $200. Decals $199. Now you have a new tool that will hold its value and you are still under the $700 and will have learned a new skill and most important... self-satisfaction.

of course this is not figuring in the prep work which is the most IMPORTANT part of the process. there are also some pretty decent how-to books for painting cars which is the same process. the motorcycle painting books are mostly about flames, dumb looking skulls, etc. you know harley shit

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:12 am

r1150r wrote:

Paint it yourself. Paint has evolved alot over the years and it is easier than ever to apply. The exact match honda silver base and the clear will run you about $130 and then buy a hvlp gun for $200. Decals $199. Now you have a new tool that will hold its value and you are still under the $700 and will have learned a new skill and most important... self-satisfaction.

of course this is not figuring in the prep work which is the most IMPORTANT part of the process. there are also some pretty decent how-to books for painting cars which is the same process. the motorcycle painting books are mostly about flames, dumb looking skulls, etc. you know harley shit

I agree 100% and this is what I am doing next time. I am possibly going to get a 120 gallon 10hp compressor for like $100!!! That means that my spray gun and stuff will be good to go. I tried the rattle can method, and it looked excellent for a little while. It just does not hold up like a good auto paint.

One more thing. If you prime it yourself use the correct primer. Ratle can primer will not work well with a catylist paint like they put on cars.

As always, prep is what shows in the end.

I paint houses for a living. Same deal. It's all in the prep, and patience.

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:43 am

Thanks to everyone for the ideas. I believe you've convinced me to do the prep and prime myself (Ratfink, do you have a recommendation for a primer that works well with auto paint and doesn't take a compressor?). Then will look into Jose's idea of taking it over to Maaco. Still, if anyone knows a person who is a particular specialist in just our kinds of bikes, and has successfully worked with the the people on this site, and expects to have parts posted to him, let us know.

Jim Benton
Elkhart

1980 CB750, bot new at Thrify Lad in Santa Monica to replace a Bonneville flattened by an errant truck at National and Santa Monica

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:32 am

Not sure I know of one that will work good that is in the can. I would sand and fill things, and leave the rest up to the shop. The paint, and the clear and decals is what will cost you. Not so much the primer.

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 2:47 am

its too bad they don't make good, hard paint in a can.

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:24 am

rhetor wrote:

its too bad they don't make good, hard paint in a can.

Only reason they can't is because a good hard paint is a two part mix, that would even harden in the can I think if it were mixed prior. Besides, gives the body shops work. Laughing

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:40 am

yep. the epoxy paints are just superior in every way except for price and ease of application.

The tuelene cans work well for some things, like engine paint and brackets, etc. But for any type of body work it just isn't strong enough.

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:45 pm

Say, Jose, is it necessary or desirable to bead blast the tank before, for example, going to Maaco's, or is prepped and smoothed stock paint fine as a base? I presume bead blasting wouldn't work at all for plastic parts?
Jim
Elkhart