Painting the Scrambler Gas Tank-With Canned Spray Paint!

Rot 911 · 08-06-2014, 05:54 AM

Well I've been doing some work on fixing up the 1973 Honda Scrambler I bought a couple of months ago. Been taking my time and just working on it when the mood strikes. One issue I had been avoiding was doing something with the gas tank. The motorcycle was originally from Arizona (Sunny Slope Honda in Phoenix according to the sticker on the rear fender) and had been left out in the sun. The paint on the top of the tank was trashed, but the sides were in decent shape. So all I wanted to do was paint the top to match the sides. After some research on the vintage Honda boards I found a guy that discovered that late nineties Acura paint matched the paint a 1973 Honda! I figured it was worth a try so bought a couple of cans of touch up paint off of Amazon. I've used canned spray paint before so I knew you could get it to look decent. Here are some pictures:

billybek · billybek's Garage

Very nice!

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

Outstanding!
How did you handle the little dent on the right side?

Rot 911 · 08-06-2014, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Outstanding!
How did you handle the little dent on the right side?

Got the rust out and used body filler.

BReif61 · 08-06-2014, 07:42 AM

Ah, good old Honda Milano Pink, er...Red.

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

How does the new paint hold up to drops of gasoline? Back in the 70's I did this and the paint they had then in spray cans was easily digested by gasoline.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Haha... That rattle can paint is good stuff. We used it a lot for signs and could get good coverage, and it lasted surprisingly well.

BlueSkyJaunte · 08-06-2014, 10:19 AM

BTDT - but didn't do as good a job as you did! I always get too ambitious and try something tough like metal flake.

Rot 911 · 08-06-2014, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

How does the new paint hold up to drops of gasoline? Back in the 70's I did this and the paint they had then in spray cans was easily digested by gasoline.

The newer paints seem to be fairly gas resistant.

Quote:

BlueSkyJaunte BTDT - but didn't do as good a job as you did! I always get too ambitious and try something tough like metal flake.

You need to use clear over metal flake or the wet sanding will just take the shine off the metal flakes.

LakeCleElum · 08-06-2014, 10:32 AM

Great Job Kurt..........I painted a few bikes in college with spray cans on the carpet of our apartment in the winter time.....Although I laid down cardboard, I could always see the blue over spray on the green carpet........

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Wow! Got pics of the tank on the bike?

BlueSkyJaunte · 08-06-2014, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rot 911

You need to use clear over metal flake or the wet sanding will just take the shine off the metal flakes.

Sanding? What's that?

Rot 911 · 08-06-2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z-man

Wow! Got pics of the tank on the bike?

Not yet, still sitting on the work bench while I finish a few other projects. I'll post some pictures when I am finished. Hopefully in a few weeks. Here is a pic of the bike on the trailer when I brought it home. It hasn't been on the road since 1993!

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

That's gorgeous! I used to ride a Yamaha Seca 750 (1981 vintage). Nowadays, these slightly older, less powerful bikes really, really interest me. That may have something to do with this board, as a lot of folks here seem to be draw towards these bikes...

-Z