Who says you can't...

[Valkpilot]

...get good paint results from a rattle can?

A couple of weeks ago, one of my saddle bag lids came off while riding and ended up jelly side down on the asphalt.  It was scratched up and I figured on taking it to a pro for refinishing. 

"But," said the evil imp who sits on one shoulder, "why not paint it yourself?  If you screw it up, you can still take it to a pro."  His halo-wearing alter ego on the other shoulder reminded me of how much, HOW BLOODY MUCH, work it was to paint that Spirit 750 tank years ago, but the evil imp won the argument and then kicked back with a cigar and a scotch while wearing a smug smile.

So, I trotted off to Autozone and picked up a couple of cans of Duplicolor black and one of clear, along with some sanding pads and spot putty.  A couple of hours on Sunday and another hour today, and, blast him, the evil imp was right.  I'm pretty happy with the results:

Post spray, pre buffing:



Here's my ugly mug being reflected in the bag lid finish:




Wonder if I've got the stamina to do a whole bike?

[Jess from VA]

Nice work.

Had the same thoughts on a bag lid of mine that went AWOL, but mine had really deep gouges so off to the shop (I was afraid if I sanded it flush it would be too much/too thin, and maybe needed filler)..... and I have a paint guy at a bump shop a mile away that is a wizard, and very reasonable who has helped me out a number of times. 

But yours looks every bit as as good as mine done by a pro.

[RainMaker]

Did that evil imp look like Yoda?

[Valkpilot]

Did that evil imp look like Yoda?

Hmmmmm...now that you mention it...

[BnB Tom]

  Looks good 

Now if you can just get that darn latch to secure properly 

[Baron]

Looks great! 

Is this something new to add to the wrench parties? 

[Houdini]

I painted the majority on my Standard using rattle cans, three coats of black and three coats of clear on all pieces.  I'm very happy with the results with one minor exception, my tank bag seems to leave more little scratches on the standard tank than it did on my Interstate.  I assume Mother Honda uses better paint than Duplicolor.

[chauffeur]

Most excellent !!

[john]

       ???          
             nice .....       

[GeoffreyB]

DURN IT!

Just when I'd convinced myself I should just have a pro spray my new-to-me OEM bags, so I can get that "mirror-like" finish like the rest of the bike - you go and show it can be done at home .

Guess it can't hurt to give it a try before I take it to a pro.... then again, I wonder how long it takes to get to Corinth from Garland...??   

[Christbiker]

Nice VP.   Corinth, isn't that in way West Texas?

Woody

[Valkpilot]

Nice VP.   Corinth, isn't that in way West Texas?

Woody

All I know is that it is MILES from where you are on the east coast.