Custom motorcycle paint is a great way to make your motorcycle look great. If you do it yourself, you can cut costs and pay more attention to the little touches you want to add to your motorcycle. Also, it's really fun to paint a motorcycle if you are a motorcycle lover. This article will explain how to prepare and paint your motorcycle, as well as how to protect the area you are painting from paint damage.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making a Paint Booth
Step 1. Choose a large area that doesn't matter if it gets dirty
Although there will be steps on how to keep the area from getting dirty, don't choose an area that will be problematic if it is exposed to paint marks. Garage or warehouse may be the best choice.
Step 2. Cover the wall with a plastic sheet
You can buy plastic sheets at home supply stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Make sure you buy enough to cover your entire work area.
- Use tacks or nails and a hammer to hang the plastic sheet on the wall.
- Use tape to attach the bottom of the plastic sheet to the floor. This will prevent the plastic sheet from bubbling up and causing the paint to stain the walls.
Step 3. Use a fan with varying speed
Place it in a place that can blow the steam out of the room so you don't inhale it.
Step 4. Place additional lights
You need to be able to see what you're working on, so put extra lights in the area where you're working. A floor lamp can help, and you can also place a table lamp on a flat surface.
You can also light up the room by adding materials such as aluminum or glass to the walls
Part 2 of 3: Setting Up Your Motorcycle
Step 1. Remove and move the part of the motorcycle you want to paint
This article will use tanks as an example, but the same method can be used for motorcycles. Tanks are a good starting tool if you're new to painting motorcycles, as parts of the tank are easy to remove and have a wide, flat surface that makes it easy to work with.
- Check the size of the wrench you need to remove the bolts from the tank.
- Remove all the bolts and remove the tank from its frame.
- Insert the bolt into the plastic that says “tank bolt.”
Step 2. Sand the surface you want to paint
This part will be hard work and time consuming, but it is an important part. If the surface of what you want to paint is not smooth, then your paint finish will be ugly and uneven, and no one wants that to happen.
- Purchase sandpaper at a materials store.
- Smooth the metal surface with sandpaper in a circular motion until the old paint is gone.
- You have to be willing to hold the metal in the final process.
- Change the hand you use to sand to avoid fatigue and pain.
- Rest if necessary. You don't have to do it in one go.
Step 3. Wipe the newly sanded area
Remove any dust or particles stuck to the surface, as you will need to paint on a clean surface.
Step 4. Sand a layer of body filler over the surface you just smoothed
. This will allow you to work on a surface that is as smooth and even as possible. You can buy body filler at auto shops such as O'Reilly's or Auto Zone, as well as at residential supply stores.
- Mix the filler well and make sure it's not loose. The filler hardens easily, so keep repeating the process in small amounts as needed.
- Use in layers about 0.5 cm thin.
Step 5. Sand again when the body filler has dried
Wait about an hour to make sure the surface is completely dry and ready for a second sanding process.
- If you're not satisfied with a surface that isn't smooth and isn't ready to be painted, add more body filler and then sand again.
- If you are satisfied with the smoothness of the surface, then move on to the next step: painting your motorcycle.
Part 3 of 3: Painting Your Motorcycle
Step 1. Make two layers of adhesive
This will protect the metal from steam on the road, to avoid unwanted effects such as rusting.
- Follow the instructions on the package you purchased so you know what type of hardener you should use to mix it. Make sure you do this at a paint shop so you can buy the hardener at the same time.
- These products have a variety of uses, so don't be careless – always follow the instructions.
- Mix the primer with the hardener.
- Put this mixture in the paint gun.
- Apply an even coat on the motorcycle, let it dry, then repeat.
- Follow the drying time recommendations on the primer you bought.
- When using any product with a paint gun, be sure to apply it slowly and evenly over the entire surface.
Step 2. Gently sand the surface as the second coat begins to dry
Many primers leave marks, especially after a few coats, so you'll have to sand them again to even out them.
Use 2000-grit-wet-and-dry sandpaper
Step 3. Clean the surface with a cloth that has been smeared with thinner
Do not use too much thinner to remove the primer, use enough to clean the primer marks.
Step 4. Clean your paint gun
Do not let the former epoxy primer mix with the paint you want to use.
Step 5. Mix paint with thinner
As with any epoxy primer, use the ratio recommended on the packaging you buy. Make sure you mix it thoroughly. This will avoid clogging your paint gun and ensure a smooth finish on your motorcycle.
Step 6. Use a paint gun to apply three or four coats of paint of your choice on your motorcycle
You must sand before painting the final coat.
- Allow each coat to dry before reworking, for the amount of time recommended on the paint package..
- After the third coat of paint has dried, sand the surface again with 2000-grit-wet-and-dry sandpaper. Make sure the surface is completely smooth for the final coat of paint.
- Clean the surface with a cloth after the sanding process.
- Paint the last coat and let it dry.
- Clean your paint gun after doing the last paint job.
Step 7. Add two coats of varnish to finish and protect your paint finish from the outside
Follow the recommendations on the varnish package regarding the drying time before applying a second coat.
- If the second coat of varnish has dried and you are happy with the result, then your job is done!
- If the error persists, sand it again with 2000-grit-wet-and-dry-sandpaper, then coat it again with varnish until you're satisfied.
Tips
- There are many things you can do to change your motorcycle apart from just painting it. Motorcycle shops sell handlebars, wheels, and many accessories to make custom motorcycles.
- You can paint your motorbike with new motorbike paint to change the color of your motorbike. You can even choose different colors for different parts of your motorcycle, giving your motorcycle a unique look.
Warning
- There should be no leaks on your motorcycle that could cause a slippery puddle.
- The room where you are painting should not be near a room where there are a lot of people, as inhalation of vapors for long periods of time can be hazardous to health.
- Paint is highly flammable. Do not use paint near the kitchen or in other areas where there is a fire. Do not smoke when painting.
- Paint fumes are highly toxic. Use a mask and fan to blow steam into open areas.
