Could you paint your own frame ?

So this weekend I am going to start installing my new Chinese body kit and since I got matte black I am thinking that before I start installing I could mask off the bike and use a rattle can matte black paint and paint over the silver frame to further the black out plan I am working on. Maybe a high temp BBQ paint to avoid heat from the engine ruining it ?

Anyone done this ? Anyone see any glaring problems with this ?

Oh ... and I found a Testors modelling Dullcoat lacquer so I am going to spray the entire fairing kit with it to help prevent marks, I did a test on the fairing inner cowl and it does not create a shine at all ... it kinda even deepens the matte black finish.

I pulled my frame to paint it. You could pull it, paint it, and reinstall in a weekend. You don't need to disconnect any of the hoses except the two hard brake lines that go over the frame. It's easy.

I'd avoid the "BBQ" paints and get a better quality high temp paint if that's what you want to use.

Rattle can = NO.


You will ultimately be saddened by the results. It won't hold up. You are going to have scratching, chipping, flaking and peeling. And if by some miracle it holds up, then the UV rays are going to fade it something awful in a couple of seasons.


Remove the frame, have it glass-bead blasted, and powdercoated, or sprayed with a professional epoxy paint.

The results will be worth it.

Fair enough, had to ask. Removing the frame is beyond my mechanical abilities and I have spent enough cash this year putting the bike back together from my fall last year so I think I will reconsider having a shop re and re the frame next year.

[image: View Post]VFRCanuck, on 20 March 2010 - 12:10 PM, said:

Fair enough, had to ask. Removing the frame is beyond my mechanical abilities and I have spent enough cash this year putting the bike back together from my fall last year so I think I will reconsider having a shop re and re the frame next year.


If you want an example of what a rattle-can painted frame & swingarm looks like, here you go:


http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1184950414/gallery_11118_2864_35129.jpg
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1266890456/gallery_11118_5097_1792697.jpg
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1266890456/gallery_11118_5097_1276771.jpg


I've had it this way since '06 and it's still holding up strong. The key was the prep work -- I throrougly cleaned the surfaces (soap & water), carefully masked off any areas I didn't want painted (I did not remove the engine, but did disassemble the swingarm), and used a primer layer before spraying the black. I just used semi-flat Krylon (non-high temp) and it holds up remarkably well to all kinds of grime (just don't try to wipe off wet gasoline!). The best part about it (besides being really cheap) is if you do ever get any knicks or scratches, just sand it smooth, tape up some newspaper, and reshoot it -- it blends perfectly with the rest of the paint. I use Tri-Flow to clean off chain gunk & dirt, and it leaves a nice semi-gloss shine that always looks factory.


If you're willing to spend the time to do the proper prep work, you'll be more than pleased with the results.

[image: View Post]toro1, on 20 March 2010 - 12:26 PM, said:

If you're willing to spend the time to do the proper prep work, you'll be more than pleased with the results.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/+1.gif

Proper preparation is the key to any project.

[image: View Post]toro1, on 20 March 2010 - 10:26 AM, said:

I've had it this way since '06 and it's still holding up strong. The key was the prep work -- I throrougly cleaned the surfaces (soap & water), carefully masked off any areas I didn't want painted (I did not remove the engine, but did disassemble the swingarm), and used a primer layer before spraying the black. I just used semi-flat Krylon (non-high temp) and it holds up remarkably well to all kinds of grime (just don't try to wipe off wet gasoline!). The best part about it (besides being really cheap) is if you do ever get any knicks or scratches, just sand it smooth, tape up some newspaper, and reshoot it -- it blends perfectly with the rest of the paint. I use Tri-Flow to clean off chain gunk & dirt, and it leaves a nice semi-gloss shine that always looks factory.


If you're willing to spend the time to do the proper prep work, you'll be more than pleased with the results.
I did the same with my VF, using Rustoleum, and although it's only been a year it is holding up well and hasn't chipped or peeled. Plenty of prep work first.

I used roll-on truck bed liner made by Rustoleum. It came out great and has held up quite well so far with no chipping, flaking, etc. See my avatar pic.

What kind of prep does that stuff require other than cleaning the surface ?

He already responded, but check out this thread.
http://www.vfrdiscus...60&#entry691994

:biggrin:

I agree that you can get good results with paint and that the frame and swingarm removal is not as difficult as some may think but I would still recomend powdercoating if you have gone as far as to remove the frame and swingarm. It will cost you a few hundred more dollars but it should last the lifetime of your bike unless damage from a crash. Also now worries about gas or oil breaking it down...