Anyone painted their Silverwing?

I don't have alot invested in my Silverwing. It does have some scratches on some of the body parts. I thought about having it professionally repainted and doing a color change. Has anyone been down that path already? If so, did you take all the plastics off? Cost?

By all means, remove the tupperware yourself. That will give you the opportunity to repair any broken tabs or cracks (Plast-Aid is your friend http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xplast+aid.TRS0&_nkw=plast+aid&_sacat=0). It will also allow you to become familiar with the mystery bits of the Silverwing. You can't possibly expect a paint shop to remove the body panels without breaking something --let alone reassemble the jigsaw puzzle while jamming screws in the wrong location.

Tim

There are two P's in painting the most important is Preparation, correctly done you will spend a lot more time getting ready than you will actually applying paint. With the cost of paint getting it right the first time is the trick.

Subscribing.  I too have some pretty big scarring from the previous owner who dropped it twice (once on either side of course).  This SWing was her first "two wheeler" ... just too much machine for her to handle.  She retired from riding after her second booboo.

I agree 100% with the comments above that proper paint preparation is the key.  I also have broken tabs and bits that need to be repaired or replaced so I want to take it apart and go over it with a fine-tooth comb.  

After preparation, was thinking of painting it myself (rattle can) and I realize this needs a "thin", steady hand and lots of patience.  I should add ... I'm pretty good with rattle cans and have literally painted hundreds of gallons (brush and roller) in my time.  I'm a very exacting, fussy painter.

Has anyone tried the rattle can approach?  How did it turn out?  Tips & do's and don'ts?

I have but mostly tractor parts and DIY projects never a bike or auto. Lucky for me a friend has his own business and the big P came from him. The hardest part is the last, keeping dust off so a good tack rag as you paint can come in handy.

oldwingguy wrote:

I have but mostly tractor parts and DIY projects never a bike or auto. Lucky for me a friend has his own business and the big P came from him. The hardest part is the last, keeping dust off so a good tack rag as you  paint can come in handy.  

I agree. It's like furniture refinishing or trim staining & sealing, it need to be 100% dust/lint/dirt free or it'll show like crazy once the clear coat goes on.

Invest in the service manual that can be bought on line. It has diagrams of removal of all the plastic parts. Be very gentle and use a very bright light to see behind things before you pull. Good luck and ride safe.

I'd recommend you try it on a part (the front fender is easy to remove) and see how it works for you. If you like the results continue on the rest of the bike's pieces. If not you only have one part that can be easily cleaned off while the paint is only a few days old.
I've seen some pretty decent rattle can paint jobs so they can be done. The hardest part is a clear coat using a rattle can. But patience and cleanliness as well as applications of rubbing compound can result in a nice looking job.
The rattle can pain won't be as hard or as long lasting as a professional two part poly job but one can always redo what needs to be redone later.

sonuvabug wrote:

Subscribing.  I too have some pretty big scarring from the previous owner who dropped it twice (once on either side of course).  This SWing was her first "two wheeler" ... just too much machine for her to handle.  She retired from riding after her second booboo.

I agree 100% with the comments above that proper paint preparation is the key.  I also have broken tabs and bits that need to be repaired or replaced so I want to take it apart and go over it with a fine-tooth comb.  

After preparation, was thinking of painting it myself (rattle can) and I realize this needs a "thin", steady hand and lots of patience.  I should add ... I'm pretty good with rattle cans and have literally painted hundreds of gallons (brush and roller) in my time.  I'm a very exacting, fussy painter.

Has anyone tried the rattle can approach?  How did it turn out?  Tips & do's and don'ts?

Painting involves a lot of time in preparing the pieces. I have done side covers and lower side covers from my Swing with the "RATTLE CAN". I usually spray two color coats of Rustoleum plastic paint, then four coats of clear plastic. Follow the drying instructions on the can. I apply four coats of clear because if you site down the length of the piece, you will notice a lemon peel surface effect that needs to be sanded down. Let it fully dry before continuing. I start with 800 grit wet sanding until all the lemon peel is gone. Careful when sanding the high points. You do not want to sand through the clear and color coat. Wash and dry the piece. Now lightly sand with a 1000 grit wet sanding until the whole piece is sanded. Wash and dry, then lightly sand with 1500 grit wet sanding. Wash/dry then lightly sand with 2000 grit wet sanding. What you are attempting with the 800 grit is to remove the lemon peel. Each subsequent finer sanding is to remove the scratches the prior grit left on the clear coat. After sanding with the 2000 grit I hand buff with Meguiar's Ultimate compound. Your goal is not to sand off all the clear coat. You want to still have clear when you start the final buffing. My finish would be a mirror finish.

For metal pieces, I use Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy Gloss Black.

That sand clean sand method sounds like the days of lacquer paint, the method will give a great finish if done correctly.

Good post easyrider. I was aware of the multiple paint/clear coat/sanding in between routine from when my B-I-L painted his truck (he got the orange peel look initially too).

I don't mind taking my time ... I couldn't live with myself if I did a sloppy job. It would drive me nuts.

Yep, you can get some gorgeous paints on Amazon too if you have a compressor and spray gun.

Following this thread, probably going to prep mine here in December and paint in January. Joys of living in the south, not too cold.

Gustafa wrote:

Yep, you can get some gorgeous paints on Amazon too if you have a compressor and spray gun.

Following this thread, probably going to prep mine here in December and paint in January. Joys of living in the south, not too cold.

Unfortunately my compressor is not rated for a spray gun.  

I am confused about another thing ... if I lived in your neck of the woods ... there wouldn't be any time for anything but riding!!!  You have some great roads your way!!!

sonuvabug wrote:

Gustafa wrote:

Yep, you can get some gorgeous paints on Amazon too if you have a compressor and spray gun.

Following this thread, probably going to prep mine here in December and paint in January. Joys of living in the south, not too cold.

Unfortunately my compressor is not rated for a spray gun.  

I am confused about another thing ... if I lived in your neck of the woods ... there wouldn't be any time for anything but riding!!!  You have some great roads your way!!!

We do and I bought my Wing with 13,000 and now have nearly 22,000. So Im riding! But the previous 2 owners did some fantastic cosmetic work on the ride, so its time to make it pretty again.