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View Full Version : Clear coat really thin?

Kuroshio
11-17-2009, 11:36 PM
I cleared the bike last weekend (and promptly took a lowside but that's another story). I thought I did ok until someone asked me "So when are you going to clear coat it?"

I laid on 4 coats from about 4" - 6" inches with a 1.4mm HVLP gun. Pressure was about 30 psi at the regulator I installed just before the gun (it'd start at about 35 psi and stabilize around 30 when the compressor kicked in). Here are a couple pics of the results (with the damage)

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/kuroshio/Accident/IMG_0028.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/kuroshio/Accident/IMG_0029.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/kuroshio/Accident/IMG_0030.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/kuroshio/Accident/IMG_0031.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/kuroshio/Accident/IMG_0032.jpg

As it stands, I was fearful of wetsanding & polishing this as it appeared too thin to withstand it. Did I miss something? Not enough material out of the gun? Because of the damage and a few pieces that just weren't up to muster, I'm going to redo everything. I know what I missed during the prep as you'll see in the pic of the tank. But what about the clear?

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/kuroshio/Accident/IMG_0033.jpg
Guessing a reaction to existing paint here.

Oh and any suggestions on how to do the rims without taking the tires off them would be appreciated. It simply costs too much to get tires changed on a bike here ($50 - $60 per tire x 2.) Once to take them off and again to put them back on
Dupli-Color-Specialist
11-19-2009, 03:07 AM
What did you prime it with? It looks like the paint started to lift? You need to strip all of the paint back off and start fresh. Sorry about the wreck! I take it you survived ok?
Kuroshio
11-19-2009, 03:40 AM
What did you prime it with? It looks like the paint started to lift? You need to strip all of the paint back off and start fresh. Sorry about the wreck! I take it you survived ok?

Primed the tank with the Paint Shop primer

Was a low speed lowside so the damage was busted cowl, bent fairing stay and busted pride :)

My real concern is the clear coat. As I said as light and thin as it seems, I'm extremely reluctant to polish it. Going to redo the whole thing in the next two weeks. I'd like the 2nd go round to go better
Dupli-Color-Specialist
11-19-2009, 04:45 PM
Prime and base coat it as you would normally. When applying the clear slow it down a little so the clear flows. It sounds like you did it all correct the last time so I am not sure why the paint was blotchy. Put down 4-5 good coats of clear and let everything dry for 36 hours. Wet sand with 2000 grit until smooth and then buff with a whool then foam pad using the correct compounds. You will be happy with the results.
c.o.b.b.
11-19-2009, 10:22 PM
Oh and any suggestions on how to do the rims without taking the tires off them would be appreciated. It simply costs too much to get tires changed on a bike here ($50 - $60 per tire x 2.) Once to take them off and again to put them back on

Harborfreight has a tire changing stand and an adapter for motorcyle wheels. You can find them on sale usually for $35 or less each. Items 34542 and 42927. I bought mine a few years ago on sale and it makes tire changing a breeze, especially for tubeless tires.
Kuroshio
11-20-2009, 01:10 AM
Prime and base coat it as you would normally. When applying the clear slow it down a little so the clear flows. It sounds like you did it all correct the last time so I am not sure why the paint was blotchy. Put down 4-5 good coats of clear and let everything dry for 36 hours. Wet sand with 2000 grit until smooth and then buff with a whool then foam pad using the correct compounds. You will be happy with the results.

Can you explain what you mean by "so the clear flows"?
Dupli-Color-Specialist
11-20-2009, 02:19 PM
Can you explain what you mean by "so the clear flows"?

If you hold the gun too far away it will create a lot of orange peel. This is because lacquer dries so fast. By holding the gun closer the clear will lay down and level out before it has a change to dry. Do not hold the gun so close that the clear runs however it is fairly difficult to get our clear to run. Spray a few of your broken flarings to practice on. :D
Kuroshio
11-22-2009, 12:48 AM
Well soon as I receive a check I'm expecting, I'll go for round 2. Most of the bike turned out satisfactory, tho not up to my standards. So I've already bought a ton of 80 grit sandpaper and will start from scratch. (thinking black & silver this time)

How should the clear look when properly applied on motorcycle abs plastic? As I said, one guy asked me when I planned to clear it. So I'm guessing it was too thin
Dupli-Color-Specialist
11-23-2009, 05:22 PM
How should the clear look when properly applied on motorcycle abs plastic?

Its going to look as it would over metal. Make sure you use our adhesion promoter over any bare plastic areas. #CP199
Kuroshio
11-23-2009, 10:00 PM
Its going to look as it would over metal. Make sure you use our adhesion promoter over any bare plastic areas. #CP199

Even when primered first?