Flat black

[SDS]

I'm afraid I may have done something bad.  My alternator cover was looking pretty rough.  The chrome cover was bubbling and made it look rough.  I really like the look of bikes with flat black instead of the chrome so I thought I'd give it a try.  I stripped off all of the chrome and patched up a crack with some epoxy.  I prepped the part by sandblasting it lightly then priming it and used flat black spray paint.  Now that I have it on the bike I'm looking at other parts thinking "hmmm, wonder what that would look like painted black?"



SDS

[shooter64]

I painted my wheels black and I think they look great. Used gloss black.

[Michvalk]

Looks better than bubbled chrome, but, I would have gone glossy. Now, some other carefully chosen parts given the flat black treatment, could make that part look at home

[YoungPUP]

Painted the wheels and Alt cover on mine black as well. Used Rustoleum gloss black but came out kinda satin.  I'm happy with it, just hope I can keep duplicating it as I go as I have more to do.

[Tropic traveler]

Used a semi gloss called Hot rod black.


Since then I have highlighted the HONDA letters with silver.

[SDS]

I considered giong with a gloss black but I had a can of flat and I have seen some flat black bikes that I really like so I figured I'd give it a shot.  To be honest if I were going out to get the paint and could choose I think I would choose a satin.  The flat contrasts the shiny bike paint a bit more than I'd like.  I think if I add a few more parts in flat black it will make everything look better.

It's probably a good thing I don't have access to a powder coat set up.

I could go crazy playing with this thing......

Tropic Traveler, do you have any pics of that with the letters highlighted??

For those of you who have painted the wheels can you post pictures?  I'm getting ideas....

SDS

[9Ball]

For me, it would look better painted to match the side covers.  Also, the flat will look better when you have more items coated that match the flat look.

If you want a glossier finish you could always spray a clear coat over the flat.  Could go either satin or gloss clear.

I am systematically getting rid of the chrome on my Rocket 3 and replacing it with matching powder coated parts.  The satin powder coating is all the same color coating and contrasts with the metallic "Phantom Black" of the painted parts.  Saving some small bits of chrome to show off the coating, such as bolts, etc.


before:



most recent:



other side:




Good luck with your endeavor....

[G-Man]

I really like the flat paint look.  H-D has a flat navy blue paint that they call "denim".  Very nice.  Also, no swirl marks that you get with glossy dark colors.

[Former BMW Guy]

Looks good.
I like it.

JP

[#2944]

Looks great!
Zots

[SDS]

Now you guys have me thinking about getting a can of good quality satin clear finish to put on this and then work on some more parts.  I like the idea of a clear coat to help with scratches and such.

SDS

[~ Timbrwolf]

....what ya gonna do with them pipes, john ? ..  

[Viking]

+1 

[9Ball]

....what ya gonna do with them pipes, john ? ..  

Hey Timbr...not sure.  I had the pipes on my R* Warrior ceramic coated black and they didn't match very well with the other powder coated parts.  I don't think the coating I'm using is temperature-resistant enough for even the chrome covers.

Say hey to Chili...

[Slvrvalk1]

Here is what a Valk looks like with the Hot Rod Black paint job.  I just got this bike a few weeks ago.  My plan is to paint it a nice red color.  I do not care for the flat black.  It reminds me of the Honda 919 when it first came out.

Dave

[shooter64]

Here is what a Valk looks like with the Hot Rod Black paint job.  I just got this bike a few weeks ago.  My plan is to paint it a nice red color.  I do not care for the flat black.  It reminds me of the Honda 919 when it first came out.

I like it. Only thing that looks better is the Rocket in the previous picture.

[SDS]

I think I'm very assuredly undecided now.  I don't think I'd want the whole thing in flat but I do like more of the chrome parts with at least a satin finish. 

I think my biggest complaint about an all flat black bike is that it shows scratches worse than a gloss paint. 

It's funnny that the ceramic finish for pipes was mentioned.  I just priced this a few days ago.  Just not sure I want to drop that kind of $$ on accent paint.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

SDS

[BF]

Here is what a Valk looks like with the Hot Rod Black paint job.  I just got this bike a few weeks ago.  My plan is to paint it a nice red color.  I do not care for the flat black.  It reminds me of the Honda 919 when it first came out.

Dave

Not a big fan of the flat black, or all blacked out bikes (much perfer shiny chrome and paint), but.......I'm liking that Valk with the flat black.  Sharp looking bike.