How to Paint a Motorcycle

How to Paint a Motorcycle How to Paint a Motorcycle Often, people love to restore their old motorcycles as memories. But the metal frame of the motorcycle gets rust if it is left unused for months together. In such cases, painting is the only way to reinstate the look of the motorcycle and keep the metal from rust. Some people even go for painting their motorcycles just to give it a new look. But when you want to rejuvenate your old motorcycle, what could be more satisfying than painting the bike yourself instead of get it painted by any painter? Especially, if you are a DIYer, you will be more interested in how to paint a motorcycle and give it a professional finish.

Things you need to paint a motorcycle: Two spray guns (one for applying primer and the other to apply coats of paint, an air regulator with a water trap, some air hose and a compressor.
While you think of painting your motorcycle, you must think of a space where you will give your bike a new look. Your garage is the best option if it is well ventilated and a bright room. Once you start painting your bike you will realize how critical ventilation and good lighting are for such work. If the garage doesn’t get enough natural light, you can use light fixtures to solve the problem. But ventilation is another aspect you must take care of. Alternatively, you can use a tent for a makeshift arrangement.
Before you start painting, an essential matter you should consider is safety. This is the reason why there is so much stress on a well ventilated place for painting. Paint fumes are highly toxic and flammable as well. Hence while using the paint, ensure that the electric fixtures are encased with lens covers attached and also wired properly. Use a good quality respirator with appropriate type pf filter meant for the kind of paint you are using. Endure that the oil tank of the bike is pressure tested and leak free.
Prior to starting the job prepare the metal body of the motorcycle for painting. Sand the old paint on the motorcycle and wipe them out thoroughly with a non-oil-based cleaner. If your motorcycle has dents, low spot of any other trouble area apply filler to it. Remember to apply small amount of filler at a time, smoothly and evenly. Sand the area again after the filler has dried completely. Now spray 2-3 coats of epoxy primer and wait till it dries. Now sand the metal body of the motorcycle again to create a toothy surface so that the base coat of paint sticks to it. If you want you can also spray a coat of epoxy sealer; it prevents any solvent causing bubbles.
Read the instructions of the paint manufacturers that are generally found on the cans of paint and follow them carefully. You can get information about mixing ratio, timing, painting temperature and time to wait between two coats from the instruction. Failure to follow the instruction will create troubles for you.
Now apply the first coat of paint on the motorcycle and after the paint is dry, wet sand the first coat with 600 grit. Keep sanding evenly throughout the surface till the ridges are gone and then apply the next coat of paint. Wet sand between the rounds of coat till you’ve applied the last coat. After you spray the last coat of paint wet sand it with 600 grit and then with 1500 grit. A final round of wet sanding with 2000 grit will give you a silky smooth surface.