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Yes, Paint jobs for dummies, I want to repaint my 02 TBA, an deep oriental blue with sea blue flake. However, I don't really want to get "taken to the cleaners" because of my female gender. Although my husband will take care of the details, I would like to know what he is talking about! Does anyone have a "Paint Jobs for Dummies" website of which I may aquire the basic knowledge to talk to this paint person?
Thanks, Cindy

Club chopper paint tech forum

Lots of good info over there if you search the threads. I have to caution you though that some of the threads are a little vulger, etc. Good luck!

-Josh

How to paint a Motorcycle! "A Beginners Guide to an Expert Job"

http://www.cyclecolor.com/how_to_paint_a_motorcyle.htm

Section # 1: Repairs and Touch-up ……………................ $ 9.95
Section # 2: Restorations to Original …………................. $ 9.95
Section # 3: Base-Coat - Clear-Coat, Tri-Coats................. $ 9.95
Section # 4: Flames, Graphics, & Stripes ………............... $ 9.95
Section # 5: Show Quality Paint Jobs! …...……................ $ 9.95

The section can be purchased and read on-line. Specific questions may be sent to the Cycle Color paint guy (for $)
Good luck

A paint job is like a tattoo.
Good tattoos are not cheap and cheap tattoos are not good.
Look around check out the shops work. Talk to others with custom work. Keep in mind the cost of the paint. Nice flake is not cheap. How many coats of clear do you want? it all adds up.

Hey Cindy, Boogieman here. Be cautious with the paint guys. Was talking to my painter today (he does custom work for VICTORY) and quoted me $2500.00 for black with minimal colored graphics. This was for the fenders, tank, side panels, fork tube covers, headlight housing, and speedo housing. For that kind of money my son and I are going to buy equipment,refresh ourselves and do the job "in house".
The quoted price may be in-line, but hardly affordable.
Just be carefull of the job you get. Best of luck. I'll post pics after we get ours done.

I just want info so I don't sound like I am an idiot when I talk to the painter. So thanks for the info!

I think I have settled on a deep oriental blue with metal flake! Clear coat? What is the advantages of LOTS of clear coat?
My TBA is now LOADED with scratches. When we (gently) removed the "Caution you can die if you ride this motorcycle" stickers. There were scratches to the metal! under the stickers. There were no sharp instruments used to remove these stickers! I had a friend do it who is very cautious with everything bike related.

Thanks Yoshi for the info, first I am a nurse but before that I was a bartender. (AND I have kids) not much suprises me anymore.
Cindy

yo boogie -

thanks for steppin up & puttin these 'painters' in their place !

i spent 5 years working in GE's paint shop. paint is not rocket science. surface prep is dirty done away from a vented bench but still no biggie.

i've seen 50 buck rattle can jobs i'd dare to compare with supposed 'pro's' 2 grand jobs !! i'll argue it with anyone.

use 400 grit wet between coats & at least 3 coats of clear wet sanded as well. several apps of decent wax with 'light' buffing & any solid color looks decent enough on a street bike.

if you have a show bike with tons of graphics & insist on House of Kolor paint mixed with metallic bit overlays etc. , etc. , go ahead & waste your money. it would be wrecked in a 500 mile trip.

read a couple good books & as was said for the dough those guys want you can buy top notch stuff to do most non trailer queen bikes.

Well...um....er...huh? I didn't mean to slam any pro painters. Far from it. I respect what they can do. I'm of the belief that if someone else can do it, then I can too. I'd rather spend the money on equipment and learn . I plan on several more bikes, cars, trucks, toys, etc. so why not take the opportunity to be more self sufficient? I think I can do well enough to suit me. I'll find out soon!
Thanks for the pointers.

I use to be in body work, and good body work will make a
deccent paint job look good.
Poor body work will make an expensive paint job look SH!!!.
you are right,after 500miles and the sun beating down on
that paint it won't last long anyways.

pops

I didn't squirt my paint but I designed it and did 95% of the prep and color sanding. Prep is where it's at. Prep it good and get someone who knows their way around a spray gun and you'll be in good shape.

Boogie,
That's my thought as well. My mother is an artist and one of my best friends is an autobody guy so I have a great deal of respect for what they do and have watched them do it a number of times. After talking to both of them and playing with Mom's airbrush over the holidays I'm convinced I could do a single color paint job or even simple flame job with the right equipment.

Keith

Thanks for starting this post, Sweetpea. I've now decided I can do my side cover myself and buy some equipment for future use.
I am inspired!!!
Dennis

Hi there,
I am glad everyone liked the thread. I took all of your words to heart. I did some more research on the web and decided that there are things of which I will never understand and painting is one of them! Please do not think that I am a "Stupid girl" but this is just not compute within my knowledge base! So, knowing this information, I took my beloved 02 TBA tank, fenders, and side cover, to a friend of a friend who is a respectable painter. So I took a deep breath and handed over my parts. It took me about a week to decide what color to paint it. Check out my pictures in my gallery! We just had to roll it out into the snow (Live in Northern VT) and take pictures. Keep in mind that the pictures do not show the "rainbow" metal flake! The side cover is out for 2-3 weeks for a custom "Sweet Pea" on the side!
Thanks again for your help! Sweet Pea, (Cindy)