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Message started by odvelasc on 08/19/08 at 19:07:54

Title: tank painting
Post by odvelasc on 08/19/08 at 19:07:54

Howdy folks,

I have come across some equipment so that I may paint my tank. I would like to know if there is any type of tape that I could use to make a stencil and wont ruin the mid-coat clear? I wish to make a decal on the sides of the tank.

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/19/08 at 19:34:47

3M makes different grades of "safe release" masking tape. I use them frequently in painting chores at my construction job. I have never used them in this application, but it would be the first product I'd research, if I were in your shoes. It is blue tape. The "safest" release has an orange cardboard roll in the middle. Talk to your local paint store about it. They'll know if it'll work for you.

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by Jack_650 on 08/19/08 at 19:38:24

If you want to do a real decal, do a google search for decal materials. There are several places to get them. You print them on an inkjet printer. Or if your design is ready and you're near good sized town you can find a place that will make a one off for you from your artwork, usually in one or two days.

Jack

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by odvelasc on 08/23/08 at 11:35:44

113A3830046D6E6B5B0 wrote:

sorry I didnt mean like decal stickers. I should have been more clear. I want to make a stencil in order to paint a design. What I dont want is the stencil to smudge my midcoat.

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by Jack_650 on 08/23/08 at 13:39:57

Yeah, I know what you're talking about. I have the artwork all ready to put a "SuperBee" on each side of my tank. I just haven't gotten around to cutting the stencil. I don't have the stock tank on anymore and the curvature of the 5 gallon Harley tank makes using a regular decal of a goodly size impossible as far as I can tell.

I was thinking about trying contact paper to use for the cutouts. My tank's powder coated so I think it holds up better to chemicals if I need to get glue and stuff off. Don't know how that would work for a painted surface. But then again, I end up not being too worried about appearances. Scratches and such just show I've been somewhere.

Jack

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by Bear_Rider on 08/23/08 at 13:57:57

Jack,

That bright yellow is a powder coat?

Wow!

What does powder coating a tank run (ballpark)?

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by Jack_650 on 08/23/08 at 16:11:06

That yellow was as close to the original 2k 650 yellow as the company had in stock. They can match pretty much any color, but it gets expensive quick. So I just went with what was close. I had all the metalwork done at once so there was only one set-up charge. They had some problems with my bodywork patching getting an even coat over the two different materials. Even at that I got it all for about $250. Just check your area for coating services and go in and talk to them.

The set-up charge is a spendy deal so take in as much stuff as you want done all together. New trips new set-up costs. Talk to them and you'll probably find at least one of the guys has a bike. Make sure you go back and show them the finished product. My guys came out and took pictures for their catalogue.

Since then I've been pretty hard on the bike, long trips with rubbing tie-down straps and the like, so there's plenty of scrapes and scratches. The finish has held up way better than paint would have though, what with the abuse I put it through.

Jack

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by Bear_Rider on 08/23/08 at 16:31:17

How would powder coating work with decals and clear coat? I'm pretty well sold on using these as tank decals in reflective black:
http://www.stickergirl.com/images/IndianHeads.jpg

Without any badging on the bike, that should keep people guessing for a while. ;D

Title: Re: tank painting
Post by Jack_650 on 08/23/08 at 16:39:54

There is a clear coat that's clear. The temperature they have to get to to make the powder melt and spread would burn off any paint or decal you had on there. You can treat powder coat finishes just like paint. You can spray a clear coat or four on over your decals or stencil paint job. I don't see a problem at all on that front.

Jack