Frame paint?

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

Geeto 67

Joined
Dec 9, 2003
Messages
33
what are you guys using for frame paint when it comes time to do a factory correct restoration? What was the original frame paint? how much gloss?

powder-coating is out, never liked it on frames - too thick and you can't touch it up.

I am guessing original paint is laquer 70% gloss single stage? sound right to anyone else? this was the standard paint for 60's-70' automotive use so....
 
Glossy rattle can enamel works pretty well. Multiple coats = 3 cans. Check for gas resistance first. Sometime petrol can even get down there :D
Mike
 
I am sure it could be debated whether the original paint held up very well. However, I can tell you that I recently stripped a frame using chemical stripper and the paint was a lot harder to get off than I would have thought. Isn't lacquer pretty soft? I started wondering if it was baked on enamel by the time I had the frame ready for paint.

Russ
 
Got to see a number of original finish frames and remove it from one frame,ugh, its way tougher lasting rather glossy than rattle can, power coat or automotive paint, more like kitchen appliances ...

http://www.tuffcoats.com/st1.htm
 
I striped a P11 frame back around 1980 and tried Jasco stripper. I ended up using a friends sand blaster to realy get it clean. My guess is it was some kind of enamal with a catalist & possiblely baked. Any modern paint you use is going to loose a fair amount of it's gloss in a year or two so take that into consideration. What about contacting some people who bought those bikes that turned up still in the crates & see what that paint looked like???
 
There's a paint product called POR -15. Hard as rock.
Available in gloss black. You'll just need a person talented with a paint gun to put it on.
 
Ain't anything out a spray can or power coating to match the toughness of factory stove like enamel. For a real life road bike best bet is something easy to touch up. I've considered the bath tub and sink recoating services I've seen advertised but knowing my life style better not depend on anything but rattle can. Peel had thick frame power coated and looked great, for a time, but now just under cover to sand even for rattle can forever more. Trixie frame is still factory gloss black hard finish except where rattle canned so ya can't tell.
 
Hi all, first post. As we are just beginning full restoration, the frame paint stikes a tender spot. I am considering trying the spray coating used on firearms. Very hard, very thin, and very resistant to solvent and atmospheric pollution. No idea of the trad name as I write this. Available in many colors. Has anyone else considered this as a frame paint?

Otherwise, I will likly go with an automotive or aircraft enamal of some sort. Frame paint really needs to be able to be touched up from time to time.

Not so sure I like the original gloss black theme. I lean towards school bus yellow or gloss white or gull grey? - on the guess that attempting to trouble shoot at 03:00 somewhere in rural Quebec might be a tad easier if everything isn't hidden in a dark background of tubes ...

Cheers
 
I have been using Brownells Moly-teflon Gun Cote (bake on) on lots of my smaller parts that would otherwise be plated. I like the result. Some of them have been on my current ride for 3000 miles now and still look good.

As for POR-15 it is not UV stable, but they make two tops coats that are. One is gloss black and the other semi-gloss. My experience with their products is that you can brush it on and get a pretty nice finish as it self-levels well. The local paint shop has various POR-15 products painted on to pieces of pipe and aluminum tubing and invite you to take them outside to whack 'em against curbs and such. The stuff is truly tough.

For somebody doing an exact restoration I am not sure which of the products I would recommend.

Russ
 
Good link - lot of heavy duty paint users there.

And, don't know about other years brochures, but the 1969 Commando brochure specifically mentions the frame is finished in (black) enamel.

If you find an original finish frame and give it a bit of wax, it polishes up to a very high gloss.
So they definitely weren't matt or satin or dull finish, gloss is the go....
 
I did Peel's barrel in semi gloss black but it is so thin it needs a few coats and so will a frame and will not cover over a dust mote impression, unless maybe a dozen coats. The thinner the coating the way better the frame prep must be if close looks considered. I vote a light color or bright color frame. I think Peel's may end up lavender.
 
Used it for years on our industrial machinery. http://pc.dupont.com/dpc/en/US/html/vis ... /home.html
Click to expand...
IMRON is something I'll leave to professional painters, the stuff earned a very bad reputatation after it first came out as being toxic to the user. Something I believe had more to do with people not understanding how to handle the stuff than any inherent design fault. It is highly thought of in the aviation industry. I didn't bother to go through the bother of registering on Dupont's site. I have three pages of sites now, most with different passwords, to keep track of. I appreciate the input and may return to the site.

I'm only toying with the idea of doing the painting myself ... I am not a painter and do not want to be ... I do understand some of the conflicting requirements of frame paint on a motorcycle. It has to cover miner abrasions, be able to be touched up, be basically imune to gasoline and oils, be flexible enough not to crack in winter but hard enough not to wear off high use areas. And the film has to be thin enough not to interfere with the fit of various parts. pretty tall order for a paint. And I would really prefer it was not particularly toxic to me or the enviroment if it chips or gets scraped when dry.
 
Just when I thought a light frame color such as school bus yellow or gull grey would be a nice touch, I happen to see a very nice tank on an Interstate elsewhere on the Forum that is cream white. Oh well, I come to this forum because it generate lots of thoughtful ideas!
 
so 100% gloss is it then? I have a buddy with a downdraft booth and a car oven so it isn't a problem to bake the frame or shoot imron.

what are you guys doing about the neck tags? I was just planning to tape it off but I understand some people remove them.
 
I removed mine...you can actually see two of the holes in the photo above. I plan to put it back on but you can also buy a new one and stamp it yourself.

Russ
 
Geeto 67 said:
so 100% gloss is it then? I have a buddy with a downdraft booth and a car oven so it isn't a problem to bake the frame or shoot imron.

what are you guys doing about the neck tags? I was just planning to tape it off but I understand some people remove them.
Click to expand...

I masked mine with foil tape before powder coating. Turned out fine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

jseng1
Frame paint - epoxy spray can
2
Replies
36
Views
4,476
jseng1
jseng1
elefantrider
Paint gurus: factory black painted parts question
Replies
18
Views
1,452
elefantrider
elefantrider
Kane
Engine and Frame Number or Vehicle Title to Determine Year and Model
Replies
15
Views
1,977
L.A.B.
L.A.B.
J
Best paint for Norton frame.
Replies
3
Views
626
jan nelder
J
2WheelsUp
  • Locked
Blank off or grind off engine/gearbox mounts when powder coating the frame?
Replies
16
Views
1,418
2WheelsUp
2WheelsUp
Back
Top