Preserving Original Paint

jaydee75 · Mar 31, 2020

I bought my Mk3 new and have taken pride in its originality. For the past 5 years I have been riding it a lot to car/bike shows within a 100 mile radius. The cleaning and waxing, sun, rain and just age have really taken a toll on my tank paint. The paint is so thin and the pinstripes so fragile that I really can't polish it much more. And E10 gas droplets react and make spots on the paint. Something must be done before it's too late......

I admire the paint jobs that Brent at Vintage Vendor has done, but I hate to lose my "original paint" look, So I am going to try to stop the aging process (I wish I could do the same for myself!). The gold pin stripes have a lot of character, you can even see where the striper rewet his brush and started again. Plus if anyone wants to see what the original pattern was, I'll have it preserved.
I am in the process of masking off the gold stripes and Norton decals, sanding smooth the crazed black paint, polishing, and encapsulating the whole tank in 2k urethane. I recently did the side covers successfully so now for the tank. Wish me luck, I'll keep you posted.
Jaydee

lazyeye6 · Mar 31, 2020

Is that you, Bernie?

johnm · Mar 31, 2020

Good luck.

To have your bike since new is pretty special. Mine was 3 years old when I bought it so 42 years now but the first three years before I owned it were pretty hard on it. I think it was raced so not very original.

So I fully understand your desire to keep it as you bought it.

jimbo · Mar 31, 2020

Good for you, I have done a lot of that over the years, as I am kind of nut for original paint and other parts. I admire the refinished, restored examples that are much more plentiful . But I really really like an unrestored well cared for Norton . Basically because most of the time they get them done too well, non hand pin striping , clear coat and filling all the metal flaws .

joe czech · Apr 1, 2020

Onder · Apr 1, 2020

Having "restored" four bikes you would think after the first I'd have learned that over restoration is a fool's errand. I think it was Simon at AN who said he only renovates to "rider" level and he is so right. Once they become Effulgent Extravaganzas you only ride in perfect weather lest you have to
spend hours cleaning and polishing anew.
It is only original once.

joe czech · Apr 1, 2020

Onder said:
Having "restored" four bikes you would think after the first I'd have learned that over restoration is a fool's errand. I think it was Simon at AN who said he only renovates to "rider" level and he is so right. Once they become Effulgent Extravaganzas you only ride in perfect weather lest you have to
spend hours cleaning and polishing anew.
It is only original once.

I agree, and the world needs only so many museum pieces. as far as originality and restoration - let a little common sense prevail, and enjoy it for what it is - life's too short. ya just need to hit that happy medium....

BTW, the person in the photo looks like he doesn't have a care in the world - GOOD JOB!!!

Onder · Apr 1, 2020

...well he is sufficiently anal to take the tank off to wax!

jimbo · Apr 1, 2020

Onder said:
...well he is sufficiently anal to take the tank off to wax!

If you don't take it off , how do you wax the bottom ?

jbruney · Apr 1, 2020

Got mine at 5 years and care had been not good. Paint was dead from sun & weather with rust overtaking chrome. Well on the was to becoming a sad story.
Even sadder is had I gotten her new I'd probably had little appreciation also and never really come to know her as I do. I am envious of those privileged enough to have them from day one though. That friends is a true example of devotion without consideration to value.

…. and polish the petcocks.

maylar · Apr 1, 2020

jbruney said:
Even sadder is had I gotten her new I'd probably had little appreciation also and never really come to know her as I do.

I've had mine since new and I assure you I am intimate with every nut, bolt and wire on it. I draw the line at polishing petcocks, but the Amal bowls shine up nicely.

jaydee75 · Apr 2, 2020

Enjoying sheltering in place and getting a lot of things done. I got the tank clearcoated and have sanded down to 3000 grit. After 2 stages of compounding and power buffing, the deep black is really beginning to show it's gloss.
One of the most awkward jobs of working a tank is holding it securely steady. I have attached rigid foam inside the backbone valley and it sits on a table well. But power buffing would throw it all over the shop, so I've got my wife acting like a vise to hold it in her lap while I buff.
As of today I've got one more phase of fine polishing to do, then it'll be ready for wax. So far so good, no lacquer/urethane reaction and no pin stripe loss. Encapsulation is complete, just a little more polishing.
Jaydee

jbruney · Apr 2, 2020

Looking very good there.
If I'd known then what I know now mine would never have been stripped down to metal and redone... I would have taken your path, but I had no idea at the time that it could be saved.... We gain knowledge over 40 years.

NPeteN · Apr 2, 2020

jaydee75 said:
Enjoying sheltering in place and getting a lot of things done. I got the tank clearcoated and have sanded down to 3000 grit. After 2 stages of compounding and power buffing, the deep black is really beginning to show it's gloss.
One of the most awkward jobs of working a tank is holding it securely steady. I have attached rigid foam inside the backbone valley and it sits on a table well. But power buffing would throw it all over the shop, so I've got my wife acting like a vise to hold it in her lap while I buff.
As of today I've got one more phase of fine polishing to do, then it'll be ready for wax. So far so good, no lacquer/urethane reaction and no pin stripe loss. Encapsulation is complete, just a little more polishing.
JaydeeView attachment 15242 View attachment 15243

It takes a real woman of character to hold her husband's gas tank, especially when power tools are involved! Lucky man.

maylar · Apr 3, 2020

jaydee75 said:
One of the most awkward jobs of working a tank is holding it securely steady. I have attached rigid foam inside the backbone valley and it sits on a table well. But power buffing would throw it all over the shop, so I've got my wife acting like a vise to hold it in her lap while I buff.

That brave lady needs an apron and a face mask. Buffing compound slings everywhere.

I made a simple holding fixture for painting and polishing Norton tanks, and it's the safe place to store my tank when off the bike. The holes in the uprights accept the studs on the bottom of the tank.

jimbo · Apr 3, 2020

talk about awkward!

jbruney · Apr 3, 2020

No wind resistance at all as you easily roll it around. Good thought to prevent scratching.

Sdonders · Apr 4, 2020

Is the logo on the tank(s) a vinyl decal or painted on? Did you remove the original and apply a new one after buffing?

Fast Eddie · Apr 4, 2020

jimbo said:
talk about awkward!

View attachment 15260

strange looking wife you got there...

jaydee75 · Apr 4, 2020

Sdonders said:
Is the logo on the tank(s) a vinyl decal or painted on? Did you remove the original and apply a new one after buffing?

The Norton logos are the same decals that came on the bike. They are now under the clearcoat, but not flush like the pinstriping. I was worried that the buffer might pull them up, but I was very careful to lightly buff and they survived perfectly. See below:

Maylar, your tank looks perfect. Good job.

Jimbo, since I don't have an engine stand, I would ask my wife to stick her head thru the headlight and wear it like a robe. Then I could buff as she turned for the odd angles.

Preserving Original Paint

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