Hey all.

I'm wanting to paint my bike this winter. In fact, the tank (yellow) and fenders and airbox covers (black metalflake) are already stripped off the bike and the tank itself has even been emptied, plugged, and had a preliminary sand done on it.

However, I want flat black. My idea is to eventually do away with a lot of the flashiness of the bike, because I am attracted to the utilitarianism of the LS650 more than the looks. In an effort to change those looks, I'm thinking of going with a flat black, and I've already stripped the sissy bar and chrome strips on either side of the rear fender and like the look.

So what am I getting into? Will, say, PPG epoxy primer hold up to the elements as a topcoat? That was what I was looking at shooting.

This is part of a much larger customization, but it's also probably the hardest and most important part, and will need to be done in a couple months. So it's time to make a decision on paint, eh?

Help and experiences (especially experiences!) are greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Banger
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Re: flat black paint and flat clear coat...

I can get flat black paint, sure, but I've been thoroughly confused by PPG's numerous product lines. The best I could find lately was to get a special clear coat that works well with a retardant. It's supposed to, at a 10% mixture, take some of the "shine" out of the clear coat.

Utilitarianism...you know...doing a job very well and not being overly flashy about it.

Regards,
Banger
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Why not just get some utilitarian paint?  

Like a rattle can of Krylon flat black.  If it picks up oil and starts to shine, use some degreaser and spray a fresh coat.

Steve

Definitely wanna find a way to seal it, then. I wasn't sure if the primer would start to look ratty after a while, but that was my worry. I was hoping there's a good way to do PPG clear in a satin finish. I'll be talking to the paint store about it soonly, I'd reckon. Really don't wanna go for the rattle can job, 'cos I can't be arsed to touch up my paint every three to six months (possibly sooner...I put about 300 miles a week on her as soon as the weather's warm enough to permit riding at 7.30 in the morning).

And believe it or not, I gave brief thought to going with the bare metal look on the tank and back fender (running no front fender and no airbox covers) but can't feel too comfy with that.

I like rat bikes and survivor bikes, in theory...just not in practice.

Besides the paint, I'm getting new rear lights that'll fit under the fender easily (sort of a steel plate with two smallish, round lights), new signals that hopefully mount pretty flush to the rear fender, dual headlights (Euro-style), a new handlebar like the new S40 straight bar and riser combo, and I'm going to see how she sounds and runs with a muffler off my old 1975 Honda CB500T. The pipe looks good on the Zook and fits the mounting bracket and header with no trouble! Adventure awaits.

Regards,
Banger
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As long as you use flat black paint and not primer you should be fine. Primer isn't impervious to water and will allow your utilitarian bike to rust. No clearcoat needed - just flat black paint. I'm wondering if maybe satin black might be better ? That's the way the Harley Street Bob looks to me. Not flat but satin.

if you want your paint job to last,u must have a clear coat,it will protect the paint from the suns rays,which cause color fading(yes black paint does fade),as mentioned before u can get flat clear coat,just call around local paint shops,or better yet go inside and see the paint for yourself.all u would need to do is add hardner,and reducer then spray it.make sure u stir the paint very good,and always use paint strainers to keep the klumps out.

are u doing the frame too? if so u should get candy apple red to paint the rims. then add some whitewall tires and you would have a old school bike.

here's a pic of my bike,without the forward controls and 3 foot sissy bar

Flat black gets dirty very easily.  Everything on it shows.  Check out my header pipe... rest of the photo is a little dark to see the filth.



Hey Torque, I'd love to see a pic of your bike with your sissy bar.

Can you powder coat in flat black? That might not be a bad idea.

I looked into powder coating at one time when I was considering ways to get my front fender chromed and wanted a cheaper alternative. Turns out that's not the way to go...at least, it's  not really too close to the true look of chrome. At any rate, powder coating the bike flat black might be cool. And durable, I suppose.

Regards,
Banger
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