Underneath-or On Top?? (Paint question)

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Hi Folks-
While waiting for new rings to come in for the '73 850 I decided to get off my duff and prep the bodywork for paint. I've used a urethane primer and am going with base coat/urethane clear. My question is: Should one apply the transfers over the clearcoat or apply the transfers to the base and clear over them? I think this would give a superior look to the overall project, as the clear could be blocked and given more coats to smooth out the bodywork. I've done several bikes with lacquer (Dating myself, ain't I?!?) and then single-stage acrylic enamels with isocynate hardeners but this will be the first with base/clear. If anyone has experience with this please let me know.
Many thanks.

Mike
Kansas, America
'73 850 Roadster, etc..
 
I applied the stick on type transfers/decals and pinstripe tape first and then clear coated over them, after a while the tank 'Norton' transfers developed some crazing, the side panel transfers and pin striping did as well (although the tank stripes didn't !?) but you do have to get fairly close to see it, it does give the transfers a glossy finish and makes them look more like part of the paint job rather than something stuck on afterwards, but I'm not sure I would do it again. It was an acrylic type lacquer I used and possibly a different coating would not have the same effect?
 
I stuck the decals on the tank and sidecovers after the clear-coat. I think it makes the decals standout more than if they were covered with a clear-coat.
 
On top would be as original, including on the candy finishes. However, even the 3M die-cut decals will react to fuel eventually although you can then simply replace them.

I prefer them under two-pack lacquer but it does give a non-original slightly "custom" look. You could of course have stencils made and spray the logo on which gives the smoothest look. I 've seen it done and it works well.
 
I had no problems putting the transfers on the base coat and doing clearcoat over them....as recommended by the paint shop I got the 3M pinstriping at...but in the end....it's a personal taste thing. I do see though, that the fact the transfers, and especially, the pinstriping are under the clear coat insures they are protected and you can't just catch a corner with your leathers and have something just start to peel off. That was the logic used by the paintshop owner and I have to agree. The pinstriping is especially prone to this, at the rear end of the tank...send some pictures when you are finished!
 
Hi Folks-
Thanks one and all for the input on this-I'm leaning for "under". The goal on this machine is a well-sorted rider, not an all-out a-retentive restoration. Had my day with those, and the thrill of finding "the last set of NOS Hi-Rider handlebars on Earth" has faded. Went with a medium maroon color (non-stock) on this one with a lot of metallic-not a flake, but it's certainly there! Shot the base last night-was going on wonderfully-----until-----HORROR! In a clean room, watered down to preclude dust, everything tacked to dust-free perfection and on the last glass-smooth coat of base------I got to watch a Miller moth, the dustiest, nastiest creature that God on His worst day ever created--flutter into the wet paint! And on the tank, even! There are no moth-proof rooms in this area of the world, especially in the (very) rural area where I live but I think this one lurked, waiting for the moment before the base flashed off to do his imitation of a kamikaze. Time to commune with a bit of 600 then 1000 grit to undo the dastardly deed, then a couple of coats more. Not a tragedy, but it's a real pi$$er! Well, we breathe, we re-group, and we carry on. Never let the (expletive pertaining to the unknown nature of one's lineage) grind you down! More to come...

Mike,
Kansas, America
73 850 Roadster with buggy paint
 
Kanlimey..

Not that I would wish it on anybody....but evidently I'm not the only one that has suffered. I did my spraying outside, this last spring and the air was full of pollen from the fields of this yellow stuff they call Raps here, make oil for cooking and running motors with......anyway....the pollen was bad enough, blowing the stuff off after every coat, and spraying fast, before the next load decided to land.....but got through the base coats, the first clear coat...the second clear coat...breath a deep sigh of relief, and turn my back to put down the spray pistol.....and from somewhere out of hell, comes the biggest, fattest, whitest and most unwelcome flying puff shaped, marshmallow sized, dandylion sead you have ever seen....and lands right on top of the tank, exactly in the middle, right in front of the seat.....
I run to get a pair of tweezers to pull it off of the perfect, smooth surface and half of it says there embedded in the clear coat....

Still there..... :wink:
 
Hi Folks-
Mission accomplished!

Quart urethane primer/activator--------------------$45.00
Pint med. maroon metallic base coat---------------$57.00
Urethane clear coat/activator------------------------$??? leftover from an El Camino project
Transfers, stripe, misc supplies and potions--------$50.00
Rolling your bike out into the morning sun after loosely assembling it with newly painted sheetmetal------------------------------PRICELESS

Trouble is, the shiny tank/covers look like a diamond in a goat's bum now- I'll really have to get to detailing the rest of the machine after the re-ring!!!

Mike
Kansas, America
73 850 Roadster with shiny paint
 
kanlimey said:
Hi Folks-
Mission accomplished!


Trouble is, the shiny tank/covers look like a diamond in a goat's bum now- I'll really have to get to detailing the rest of the machine after the re-ring!!!

Mike
Kansas, America
73 850 Roadster with shiny paint

I hope that you mean re-ringing the cylinders and nothing to do with the goat 'cos they close down websites over here for that sort of thing :shock:
Please DON'T post any pictures :) :
 
:shock: I don't live THAT rural! :lol:
Perhaps I should re-phrase:
I really need to get to detailing the machine after the re-ring of the pistons. The renewed finish makes the remainder of the bike look right shabby.

Better?

Mike
Kansas, America
73 850 Roadster, et al, no goats.
 
kanlimey said:
Better?

Mike
Kansas, America
73 850 Roadster, et al, no goats.

Much better ! The goats of Kansas can sleep soundly in their stalls tonight. :wink:
 
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