Motorcycle Repair: Motorcycle paint, auto body shop, motorcycle paint

Question
hi chris,


just wondering, with the plastic used on my ninja's fairings, if im refreshing the paint and using the same color, would i need to break the clearcoat glaze? or do i need to go bare plastic? i want to get the paint good n smooth and all, and ill take the time necessary, but dont wanna overkill if i dont have to...so thats the question? a good smooth hazed look? or all the way bare?

thanks in advance,
john

Answer
Hi John.

First thing to remember is that not all paints are the same.  In order to do this right, you need to prep the material for paint.  Every good house must start with a good foundation.

Based on what you have told me, I am assuming that you have never done serious painting before.

Unfortunately, this is not something that can be taught over the web.

Go to a good book store and pick up a book on doing auto body work, or find a local auto body shop and get some tips from them on how to do this correctly.

I will tell you this much; you do need to take the pain off, down to the plastic.  In order to do this correctly, you will need a variety of different sanders and grades of sandpaper, ranging from 80grit to 1000grit.  You may also need filler putty and you will need good quality primer and a properly compatible paint.

Sorry that I can't help further.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON