How does one paint Pearl White using rattle cans?

[Baz]

Application would be on plastic (ABS mostly) motorcycle fairings.

From what I understand, you will have four coats:

1. Primer
2. Color (White)
3. Pearl
4. Clear topcoat

Most of the panels are not very large so would love to able to use rattle cans, if possible.

Might be a bit unrealistic - I don't know.....

Would appreciate your thoughts....TIA!

There are examples of the largest pieces......

(this model wouldn't get the Pearl White, so I can handle it)


These are the ones that came in Pearl White from the factory - so are what I'm trying to re-paint:




Examples of the side (battery) covers I'm working with also:


And tail fairings:


These are the 3 livery's Honda produced for their '86-'87 Interceptors.
I can handle the Red, White, and Blue - and the Blue - but that Pearl White (3rd photo) is what I need help with.....

[Baz]

Fuel tank from the most recent Pearl White bike I acquired. It's in almost perfect condition!

The inside however was a nightmare I had to clean out. A failed coating from the previous owner.

You can see how the pearl makes it sparkle a bit.......



It's back on the bike and I'm finishing up the fairings right now. They had some cracks and broken mounts - but are now repaired.



The day I brought it home....

[Zeke]

Several companies sell candy kits in all the colors. A prominent manufacturer is House of Color. Eastwood has kits. Probably eBay and Amazon. So common I won't even look.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Several companies sell candy kits in all the colors. A prominent manufacturer is House of Color. Eastwood has kits. Probably eBay and Amazon. So common I won't even look.

Thanks, Milt.

I did look at some of those but there was some variations on the actual application process/products.....plus mixed reviews......enough to give me pause until I could gather more opinion.....which is where I'm at right now.

Was hoping someone here had actually gone through it - and could comment.

Thanks!

[908/930]

I have not done three stage paint but a fair amount of two stage paint years ago. Pretty sure the best way will be with a touch up gun and not from a can. Matching three stage (pearl) to original paint will be another problem, just paint all of it.

If you need to repair the part at all primer (two part) the entire part, (base coat does not hide any colour variation well) let harden and carefully wet sand and inspect. Then apply base coats ( pretty much sprays like a lacquer) then top coats within specified time. I think the pearl is mixed in the first layer of clear.

EDIT, If you decide to try and spray it with a touch up gun you should pick up a decent size inline desiccant dryer to place after your compressor.

[Zeke]

I think 908/930 is right, this is better done with a gun. You might consider looking at Testors paints at the model shop. Yeah, pricey as hell but buying min quantiles of HoC paints will run a hundred plus as it is.

And 930 is correct also saying the base pearl covers poorly. You need a base for the base, then clear. You're just skipping the candy color part. Now another thought is to just let the local body shop shoot these complete, again per 930. They can mix only what is needed. You can do all the prep and make the parts ready for the booth.

I think a little side deal might get these done if you can talk to the actual painter.

Lastly, you are right about "comments." I have been shooting all manor of paint for 60 years and I can't in good faith recommend spray cans. But some have surprised me with the quality. In CA for many paints that's all we can buy.

[Baz]

Thanks 908 and Milt. Good info - and much appreciated!

Looking at a video right now that I will post when done that will add to the conversation..


EDIT: here is that video. Thought it was very well done and pretty close to the approach I had in mind for my needs.



I just need to find the right paint product, which I will start doing by visiting my local FLAPS and see what they carry.

Stay tuned......

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Matching three stage (pearl) to original paint will be another problem, just paint all of it.

+1 No matching or blending will occur if a regular DIY painter.

Practice on other stuff even for an entire panel reshoot. It's not easy.

[908/930]

I watched the video, somebody should tell him the first thing to do is back the 1969 Camaro out of the garage. That two part clear in a can looks interesting but I doubt the finished product looks like real base coat clear/coat paint.

[masraum]

I got nuthin' other than to say "good luck," and I suspect you'll do a great job with a nice result. I'm looking forward to hearing about and seeing pics of the finished product.

[Baz]

Thanks, guys. Was thinking the same thing about the guy's Camaro except my thought was to throw a car cover over it.

New development......

On my way home from some work today I dropped by to say hi to an old friend. He and I have been VERY good friends ever since we were neighbors back in the late 70's. He's Russian by heritage and if you know anything about Russians - they are extremely loyal (similar to Sicilians) once you develop a bond with them. My friend's career was spent working at the space center at Cape Canaveral and is now retired. He and his wife who also recently retired go over crusies and vacations several times a year so I always look after things while they are away. Not a big deal to me. I did all his landscaping, lights, and irrigation when he remodeled many years ago and know the property inside and out. He only lives a minute drive away - 2 minutes by bicycle.

Anyhoo....he is a jack of all trades including bodywork and painting. When I dropped by today, I wasn't even thinking of that - I just hadn't talked to him in a while and saw him sitting in his garage so backed into his drive and we had a nice chat.

About 10 minutes in a light bulb went off - the painting stuff! So we had that discussion and he said he'd be happy to shoot my fairings if I wanted. Said some of his guns were Japanese and cost $500! His garage is set up for it. He has two hatches on the garage door that he can fit furnace filters in. A huge arse circular exhaust fan that pulls the air to the outside on the other side of his garage. And a plastic curtain he can pull down to separate one side from another. Monster air compressor already hard plumbed to a series of filters and an outlet he can plug into.

Funny how things work out sometimes. And you know he would refuse to take any money for doing this - that's the kind of guy he is.

Of course, I would make sure he gets paid something and all materials would be covered.

We also talked about the Pearl white and he's experienced with it. I had some battery covers in the truck and showed him so he understands what I'm working with.

I'm still forging ahead and will keep the thread updated. But this new development is huge. YUGE huge!!!

[908/930]

Baz, Thats great, much easier/faster to learn when somebody can teach you. Once you start to use some two part paint it is hard to use anything else, at least when you want nice finish and durability.

[rwest]

That’s what is called karma Baz!

You do so much good things for so many people and now it’s your turn.

It also goes to show that sometimes it isn’t what you know, but who you know.

[masraum]

SCORE! THat's what being a hell of a guy gets you, friends with skills that are happy to do you a favor!

Excellent!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Baz, Thats great, much easier/faster to learn when somebody can teach you. Once you start to use some two part paint it is hard to use anything else, at least when you want nice finish and durability.

Thanks 908 - good point about the learning part. Durability is important and is something I'm interested in. I get caught up in the actual repairs but today spent some time just looking closely at the finish on these fairings and how strong they are. I have a few different polishing products and look forward to applying those to some of these to really get the maximum aesthetic benefit.

Originally Posted by rwest

That’s what is called karma Baz!
You do so much good things for so many people and now it’s your turn.
It also goes to show that sometimes it isn’t what you know, but who you know.

Thank you, Rutager - and back at ya, my brother! So true about the "who you know" part. In addition to just knowing so many people in our small town....I was very fortunate to spend time in the trades here for many years and have forged some pretty good relationships with guys in all different components of construction. I try not to bug anyone unless it's really necessary and they've always come through for me. So naturally I'm always looking for ways to not only give back but also to pay it forward. I know that sounds a little corny but you hit on something I firmly believe in and that's the Big K - Karma. What comes around really does go around. That's for sure!

Originally Posted by masraum

SCORE! That's what being a hell of a guy gets you, friends with skills that are happy to do you a favor!
Excellent!

Thanks, Steve. Back at you, my friend. All credit to my Mom who will always be the best human I have ever known. She is missed and I try to keep her generous legacy alive.

The other part of the story I left out was when I first walked into my friend's garage - the first thing he did was reach up and take an envelope from a shelf and hand it to me. He said "Happy Birthday....come here I want to show you something..."

My birthday was a month ago today and he had been holding onto the card for when we saw each other again. In it was a nice card from he and his wife and a hundred dollar bill. Totally unnecessary but what a gesture, huh? Oh - he wanted me to look at a couple minor situations...lighting and irrigation stuff. Very minor like I said and stuff I can easily resolve.

Grateful for all my friends here as well. A great group here.....