Paint my new fairing myself, or pay a pro?

[Lyonardo]

I got my new fairing in. I did a quick fitting and got everything lined up, now I just need it painted.
I've watched some Youtube vids and it looks like a LOT of work.

But assuming I have clean, dust-free workshop and take my time, is this something a newbie can do right?

[old2soon]

Get something fairly large to practice on BEFORE attempting the fairing. Practice more than once. A smooth touch can be cultivated. Cleanliness of the surfaces to be painted can NOT be stressed enough. Start spraying before reaching the edge and continue spraying going off the edge. It may be difficult but NOT impossible. RIDE SAFE.

[da prez]

Devise a down draft  exhaust system with a shop vacuum , and have it running before  you start   and exhausting outside .  It will ruin the filter , but it is cheaper  than the paint. As careful as I am , dust happens. Take your time   and  do not rush   the job one of the foam over filter covers will work and is cheaper  to use . Have the vacuum outside  of the work area. Just have the hose inside.

                                 da.prez

[rhinor61]

What color(s) are you painting it?

Honestly most painters do side work, probably get it painted for few hundred dollars.
In the long run it will save you a lot of time and money.

Just ask around....

John

[pancho]

Lyonardo,, when you say newbie, I wonder, have you ever painted before? If you are using urethane basecoat clearcoat products with a hardener, there is a bit of money tied up and you need to have some confidence in you ability, and all the required equipment set up.

 If you are planning on using cans of spray paint, rattle cans, I say go for it,, you can always sand it off and do it again if you don't like it. If you use rattle can paint, it will chip and show other problems over time, and you will be looking to do it again in a couple of years.

[Gideon]

What color(s) are you painting it?

Honestly most painters do side work, probably get it painted for few hundred dollars.
In the long run it will save you a lot of time and money.

Just ask around....

John

I agree with John.
If you paint it yourself, and it doesn't look good you will be upset. 
Don't get aggravated, pay a professional. 

[Lyonardo]

That's brilliant!
Even if I ruin the shop vac, that is just adding an extra $50 to this job. Thanks.

Devise a down draft  exhaust system with a shop vacuum , and have it running before  you start   and exhausting outside .  It will ruin the filter , but it is cheaper  than the paint. As careful as I am , dust happens. Take your time   and  do not rush   the job one of the foam over filter covers will work and is cheaper  to use . Have the vacuum outside  of the work area. Just have the hose inside.

                                 da.prez

[Jess from VA]

If the paint is not custom (or black), what about a vinyl wrap?

http://blog.chariotz.com/get-a-vinyl-wrap/

https://www.google.com/search?q=wrap+painting&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBy6SktvrLAhVksIMKHaeUCM8Q_AUICCgC&biw=1426&bih=639#tbm=isch&q=vinyl+wrap+painting

[gordonv]

dupli color does a spray plastic wrap. Doesn't work out, wait for it to dry, and peel it off.

What ever you do, have the surface CLEAN. Use a surface prep, wax/oil remover, of some kind.

[Lyonardo]

Well, I've never painted a full car but years ago I used to do airbrush art. Designs on vans, t-shirts, windows, etc... That was over 20 years ago though, and I'm not sure the same skills are involved.
I have all the equipment (huge compressor, gravity guns, etc..., but still need to buy the paint.
I'm reading all the replies here and will probably decide this weekend.
And no, I'm not considering cans of spray paint, not on my baby!

Lyonardo,, when you say newbie, I wonder, have you ever painted before? If you are using urethane basecoat clearcoat products with a hardener, there is a bit of money tied up and you need to have some confidence in you ability, and all the required equipment set up.

 If you are planning on using cans of spray paint, rattle cans, I say go for it,, you can always sand it off and do it again if you don't like it. If you use rattle can paint, it will chip and show other problems over time, and you will be looking to do it again in a couple of years.

[Lyonardo]

Here's a pic of the bike. It looks a little different now, but the paint is still the same.
I haven't decided if I'll repaint everything, or just the new fairing. Either way, I'm probably not going for the flames. The guy who did that job has closed up shop.

What color(s) are you painting it?

Honestly most painters do side work, probably get it painted for few hundred dollars.
In the long run it will save you a lot of time and money.

Just ask around....

John

[pancho]

Well, if you are trying to get a professional looking job using real paint products Lyrnardo, all I can say is practice on something else first, getting two full wet coats on something without creating any runs or sags is a bit of an art.               Wear a mask with organic particulate  filters, otherwise the chemicals in the  fumes will make you misjudge and make mistakes,, and worse.

Urethane paint with hardener is unforgiving and is a real pain to remove and do over, but a novice can get good looking results, even custom graphics.   I do....      some of the time

[Jess from VA]

I you're not going to try to duplicate the solid flames, then painting it solid black, and then adding a couple flame accents (decals which match your flames as much as possible) might be economical. 

When I had my Hog repainted black, I used a couple from this outfit, under the final clear coat.  Some are even night time reflective.

http://www.purpleharley.com/

Another idea would be to get a (full coverage) fairing bra in vinyl, which would match up with the seat,  bags and bibs pretty well (never saw a studded faring bra though).

Solid black will work too. 

[Led]

It depends on how much you care, on how it looks.  I have painted old bikes as a kid, with "rattle cans"......and they LOOKED like it!!

But today?  Take it to a pro!!  You will be much happier with the results!!   

[Ratdog]

Is that Drifter's (Around Portland) old bike?  Originally a mint green/black bike ('98 I believe)?  Flames (Black Diamond area) bought it from Drifter and sold it a few years ago (as I recall).  I know a guy with a shop in Burien (former Valk rider/owner) that does some sweet work.

[Fazer]

There are lots of things I am not very good at, and "painting anything" tops the list.  I would opt for professional help.

However...
You would think someone named Lyonardo would be able to paint something as simple as a motorcycle.

[Hook#3287]

However...
You would think someone named Lyonardo would be able to paint something as simple as a motorcycle.

  good point

[Lyonardo]

Ha! Well, that's one good argument for getting it done myself.
I've done every bit of work on her since I've owned her, including repairing the engine after a hydrolock.
I'll probably do it myself, just for the challenge.
L

There are lots of things I am not very good at, and "painting anything" tops the list.  I would opt for professional help.

However...
You would think someone named Lyonardo would be able to paint something as simple as a motorcycle.

[Lyonardo]

A fairing bra. That's the answer! That will let me use my fairing now while I get some practice in and buy the paint. Thanks for the idea!
Now... can you recommend a bra that will fit the Wide open customs fairing? I'll google around, and probably order one today.
L

I you're not going to try to duplicate the solid flames, then painting it solid black, and then adding a couple flame accents (decals which match your flames as much as possible) might be economical. 

When I had my Hog repainted black, I used a couple from this outfit, under the final clear coat.  Some are even night time reflective.

http://www.purpleharley.com/

Another idea would be to get a (full coverage) fairing bra in vinyl, which would match up with the seat,  bags and bibs pretty well (never saw a studded faring bra though).

Solid black will work too. 

[Jess from VA]

The only ones I know of are (stock) bike specific.  Like for the Interstate.

I suppose a call to Wide Open Customs is in order (they look very close to stock HD batwings, maybe any made for those would work; and if so, you'd think there'd be plenty of used out there).  If just temporary, it wouldn't have to be perfect, but it would have to stay on.

[saddlesore]

  I've done painting in the past with good results but last fall I tried repainting some saddlebags and it was a disaster.  I stripped it and tried again and failed again. And again.  I bought new bags.
   Just my experience.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Good paint jobs ain't cheap ... Cheap paint jobs ain't good .

[Bighead]

Good paint jobs ain't cheap ... Cheap paint jobs ain't good .

+1 

[Lyonardo]

I definitely ain't planning on going cheap. And the point of me doing it myself is not to save money.
Usually DIY projects costs more, since I have to buy the tools to get it done.
I originally bought the bike as a project, and since then all the mechanical work, and modifications have been done by me... with the help of youtube tutorials, the manual, and some good advice from this forum.
If I paid a professional painter, that would be the first time someone else worked on my valk in the years I owned it. Kinda feels like cheating, for some reason.
I've decided to put a fairing bra on it for now, and practice my painting skills until I'm ready.
I already owned a 21 gallon compressor. I've bought all the painting hardware I need (I think), including airbrushes, and some decent gravity fed spray guns.
I'll take my time learning this new skill, and paint the bike when I'm confident.
Thanks for all the input everybody.
L

Good paint jobs ain't cheap ... Cheap paint jobs ain't good .

[Lyonardo]

Hey da.prez, this is brilliant!
I bought a cheap Harbor Freight shop vac with my 20% off coupon, and gave this a try after work.
Just a quick spray of a piece of ply board as a test, but it is definitely the way to go.
L

Devise a down draft  exhaust system with a shop vacuum , and have it running before  you start   and exhausting outside .  It will ruin the filter , but it is cheaper  than the paint. As careful as I am , dust happens. Take your time   and  do not rush   the job one of the foam over filter covers will work and is cheaper  to use . Have the vacuum outside  of the work area. Just have the hose inside.

                                 da.prez

[jimmytee]

Good paint jobs ain't cheap ... Cheap paint jobs ain't good .

[jimmytee]

I definitely ain't planning on going cheap. And the point of me doing it myself is not to save money.
Usually DIY projects costs more, since I have to buy the tools to get it done.
I originally bought the bike as a project, and since then all the mechanical work, and modifications have been done by me... with the help of youtube tutorials, the manual, and some good advice from this forum.
If I paid a professional painter, that would be the first time someone else worked on my valk in the years I owned it. Kinda feels like cheating, for some reason.
I've decided to put a fairing bra on it for now, and practice my painting skills until I'm ready.
I already owned a 21 gallon compressor. I've bought all the painting hardware I need (I think), including airbrushes, and some decent gravity fed spray guns.
I'll take my time learning this new skill, and paint the bike when I'm confident.
Thanks for all the input everybody.
L

Good paint jobs ain't cheap ... Cheap paint jobs ain't good .

When I ordered my Woody's, I made the decision to have the outer shell wrapped in leather. Glenn of Woody's fairing had a link to a place called Northern Michigan Leather Co. I had my fairing shipped directly there when Glenn had finished my fairing. It matched my saddlebags.

[Lyonardo]

Wow. Now that's nice. I've never seen that look on another bike.

When I ordered my Woody's, I made the decision to have the outer shell wrapped in leather. Glenn of Woody's fairing had a link to a place called Northern Michigan Leather Co. I had my fairing shipped directly there when Glenn had finished my fairing. It matched my saddlebags.

[jimmytee]

Wow. Now that's nice. I've never seen that look on another bike.

Thanks, that was part of what I was going for.   

[Lyonardo]

Well It's been a while, but I finally got all the parts in and painted!
I still need to buff and polish, so it's not that shiny yet, but it turned out OK... not perfect, but I can live with it.
I'm told I should let the clear coat sit for a week or two before buffing and polishing.

[falconbrother]

It's pretty much impossible to get a professional look from a rattle can.  I bought a bat wing for my wife's sporty.  Her bike is silver and black.  I painted the silver and it turned out pretty good.  But, not a pro job if you look close. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well It's been a while, but I finally got all the parts in and painted!
I still need to buff and polish, so it's not that shiny yet, but it turned out OK... not perfect, but I can live with it.
I'm told I should let the clear coat sit for a week or two before buffing and polishing.

Looks pretty good from here. 

[Fazer]

Looks good in the photo Lyonardo--what brand fairing is it?  I have been considering a Memphis bat wing. 

[hubcapsc]

Those speakers would drive me out of there, but your bike
looks GOOD 



-Mike

[Lyonardo]

I went with the Wide Open Customs fairing, because I didn't want to relocate all my gauges.
The Woody's fairing has some nice features, but there are requirements I didn't want. I want my handlebars free for a phone mount, stereo controls. etc...
The Memphis Shades batwing looks great from the front, but it's just a front shell. Plus, you can't add instruments or a stereo too it. I heard that it's the most popular fairing on any bike though, so I guess most people prefer it.

Looks good in the photo Lyonardo--what brand fairing is it?  I have been considering a Memphis bat wing. 

[Lyonardo]

I don't love the look of those white speakers, but they had the best bass response of all the ones I tried. I might sell these if I can find something better.
But the sound is great, even on the freeway.

Not sure if listening to the news and audiobooks make me look like a geek, or just an old guy.

Those speakers would drive me out of there, but your bike
looks GOOD 



-Mike

[Fazer]

I've got handlebar mounted speakers and a small am/fm radio.  Mostly listen to local talk radio station when commuting, but I can switch to a MP3 player or my phone if I want pure music.  Not very good at highway speeds.  I can also listen to music thru blue tooth set up in the helmet, but do not very often use that feature.  It was nice going to Inzane, but I have to hook up the charger to keep phone up.

Was looking at the fairing that Big Poppa Pump has on his yellow Valk (Memphis Batwing) at Inzane and like the set up.  Don't have to relocate any gauges or headlight.  Wonder what happens to the OEM brackets.  Sure they are not used, so I expect they are removed.

BPP--I am sending you PM about your set up.

Greg

[pancho]

Well It's been a while, but I finally got all the parts in and painted!
I still need to buff and polish, so it's not that shiny yet, but it turned out OK... not perfect, but I can live with it.
I'm told I should let the clear coat sit for a week or two before buffing and polishing.

The compounding and polishing will actually go much faster and easier if you do it within a couple of days of finishing the paint,,,  it only gets harder with time. You will only need a DA polisher on fresh paint, an orbital might tend to burn.  Are you going to completely disassemble the bike again to compound and polish?

 I'd like to see a side shot of the bike with the front wheel straight to see how that fairing fits the bike,, I like the idea that you didn't need to relocate the guages, but would like to see the fit.

Nice job on the paint.

[larue]

Look good on pics, you might wanna take off the white speaker covers and shoot them green too, just a suggestion

[Lyonardo]

I didn't even consider that. But I think they're all one piece. No cover.
Still, if I can remove the cone, I just might paint the housing. Maybe black.

Look good on pics, you might wanna take off the white speaker covers and shoot them green too, just a suggestion