Bike painting from cans

On friday I bought some spray cans from a paint place near me, to paint some parts for my bike. I got the correct colour, YC2, Candy Blue, which comes in 2 cans, a blue undercoat and a blue tinted metallic top coat. The paint guy advised to use a grey primer, then the blue undercoat, then apply the tinted top coat until the colour matches the original, then finish with a clear lacquer to give the final colour and shine.

My problem is, I have used less than half the undercoat, but nearly three quarters of the topcoat and the colour is still not dark enough. I`m wondering if I should have used more undercoat but was trying to keep the paint as thin as possible to avoid chipping etc. The main bit i`m painting just now is a brand new seat cowl which was a lighter blue, so the match has to be pretty dam perfect otherwise it willl be noticeable as its surrounded by original plastics.

Has anyone else tried painting candy colours with cans and how was the results ?

Also, I tried lacquering one of the grab rail blanking plates which did darken slightly but still not enough, and doesn`t seem to be as "bluey" as the original.

[Spanner Man]

Good morning.


I can do skirting boards with a 3 inch brush, but vehicle painting is beyond me.

Spraying is one of those 'Black arts' whereby one doesn't need much error in anything & the colour match wont be perfect.

Your best bet would be to ask a good vehicle painter where you may have gone wrong. Sadly, you'll most likely end up having to paint it again.


Cheers.

[keith_d]

I have a different paint set for Grand Candy Blue, comprising a silver metallic undercoat, then transparent blue paint and finally a clear laquer.

I tried it on a few minor scrapes and it's bloody difficult to blend into the existing paint. So, if I ever decide to tart my bike up it'll be going to a local paint shop for a full repaint.

not a chance with a candy colour, youll never touch it up and get it to blend in. You need to take it back to base and go from there. Its a ballache. i would just leave it as is.

[andrewsmith]

with pearlacent and candy paints, a full panel respray by a bodyshop is alot less trouble and cheaper in the long run

Unfortunately, it seems you guys are somewhat correct.

I ran out of the tinted top coat, so went back to the paint shop today and took my panel and an original panel from the bike.
It was a different guy this time who explained that although they have all the paint codes and mixes for bikes, they stopped selling any pearl or candy bike paints as it was far too much hassle with customers who complained the colour was wrong. But, looking at what i`d done, he said it was a lot closer a match than most amateurs achieve, so that was nice,lol. We both agreed that the colour was not vibrant enough, and he reckons I should have used a white primer, not grey which would make the blue stand out more. So, I got another topcoat ( discounted price ) and a free white primer, to try it all again.

Although this cheap skate way of getting a seat cowl is turning out to be a bit more hassle than I first thought, its still much cheaper than a new one, and i`m somewhat enjoying the challenge. Although if I cant get the colour right I can always paint it black or silver.

So, i`m not giving up with it yet.

On a similar note, my silver grab handle seems to be turning out superb

[Wideboy]

its all trial and error when your learning, i should know I've fecked up enough

i find with metallics and pearls (especially) to build the base coat up with about 3 coats and gradually dust the overcoat on until your happy, but literally dust, like a cake

as said there not really much advice that can be given about spraying as it is one of those things. lighter colours are the easiest as imperfections get well hidden by the lacquer

also for added bestness prime you panels and dust a matt black over it, then cut the black back with 1200 grit paper and any imperfections/dips/scratches ect will show up black against the primer so you can see them

its a real art but worth it

Thanks Wideboy.

I`ve had some fairly decent results before painting bits on cars, but they were mostly plain colours.
Biggest problem is normally getting a good colour match in a spray can, even then it can be trial and error to get good results. At least on a car you can just keep adding layers of colour, and if its a bit orange peel looking it can be cut back when its dry and polished up. But with metallics and this pearl stuff, you cant cut it back or it ruins the colour so any orange peel gets worse with more layers. Having said that i`m not doing too badly with the finish if I keep the cans warm, its the colour thats way off. But I want to keep the paint as thin as poss to avoid chipping etc. I do actually have a spray gun, but ive never used it.

I sanded the cowl back again tonight and primed it in white, so hope to get some base coat on it in the morning, and lacquer the grab rail, then when I come home in the afternoon maybe start adding the lacquer to the cowl again.

Its all good fun

[Wideboy]

Try the gun i find them loads better than cans, can cover a bigger area in on swoop and you tend not to get build up in area's

Originally Posted by Miss_Undaztood

Although this cheap skate way of getting a seat cowl is turning out to be a bit more hassle than I first thought, its still much cheaper than a new one,

I don't think so, a new genuine Suzuki seat cowl for a K4 was only 42 quid last time I looked with the grab rail covers included. By the time you've bought a used cowl and painted it you're looking at more than that, and it won't ever have a perfect paint match.

EDIT - I stand corrected. Two years ago they were 42 quid cos I bought one then for my SV650K5, now they are a few pennies off 92 quid. How the hell can they justify that sort of price increase? Jebus, I'm really bloody glad I bought a new Kawasaki now.