Duplicolor is alright, uncleared would give about a 5 year service life, cleared a good bit more. But, and this is an elephant sized but, while the can may say enamel, you are basically working with an old time acrylic lacquer. The color and clear coats are thin, easy to run, easy to get dry settle or orange peel, and stay soft for quite awhile.

Follow the open working times (recoat) to the letter, or you will get some serious wrinkles in the paint.

My 98 ran a metallic/pearl Duplicolor job for several years. Uncleared. Faded out to a neat orange-bronze.

The 03 has rattle can headlight bucket, headlight stanchions and rear fender. Glass smooth epoxy.

There have been a lot of threads about rattle can paint projects - but the only way you can get a rattle can paint that will not discolor from the fuel....is to use a two component spray cans  All of the other folks who have attempted to use a regular rattle can paint on this forum....have had poor results. You can get by with the normal cans on the fenders - but the fuel that seeps from the fuel filler (or when you drip while fueling) will discolor the paint on the tank...or even cause it to wrinkle or peel.   Also you need to use paints that are compatible with each other.....or they can react and cause all kinds of problems.

The 2K paints can be purchased from local auto paint shops, or Eastwood.  Our local body shop can mix any 2K paint and put in a spray can for you.....but you have a limited amount of time to spray it before it sets up in the can.  Other style cans have you break some kind of seal to mix the two components...and once again you have a limited time to use it up.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1338248877/12#12

Got to reply #358 in Gyrobob's bike build.  The Duplicolor did not hold up, even though he did and great job applying it.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1338248877/12#12

And.....make a test panel with a piece of metal.  Use the primer, paint and then clear coat you intend to use.  Practice on it, see if the primer and paints are compatible.....and then when it has cured...splash a bit of fuel on it a few times....especially when it has been in the sun for a bit (your motorcycle hopefully will be ridden in the full sun).  This may save you from making a big mistake on the tank or fenders.

I found a another thread that may help.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1408351979/1#1


The absolute best spray can primers are made by SEM.  The cans are about twice the size of a normal can, and costs about $ 15 each.  The primers fill and build very well, and they dry quickly.  I use the self etching primer over the bare metal, and the high build primers over the etching primer.  For guide coats when sanding I just use a very light mist coat of a cheap primer.

http://www.semproducts.com/automotive-primers/self-etching-primer
http://www.semproducts.com/automotive-primers/high-build-primer-surfacer

The local auto store has a fender hanging on their wall that displays the kind of quality finish you can get from a spray can, and it looks great.  Spray cans can make a really nice finish - they just don't put out a lot of paint and keeping a "wet" surface and blending in the overspray edges can be a bit difficult....as is controlling the spray and avoiding runs.

Thanks for all the links and comments.  This forum is always a help no matter what the topic is.  I think the test panel is a great idea and that is the way I'll go.  I'll definitely be using a 2k clear coat.  Thanks

zipidachimp wrote on 03/29/15 at 12:23:45:


Then you are using paints that aren't compatible.  Spray a lacquer over an enamel.....and the enamel paint underneath is going to lift.

The 2 component clear is not hard on the base coats like lacquer is - so either use a system you know works (like Color Rite or Eastwood products) - or seek the help of the local auto paint store.

I'll probably paint it a plain gloss black.  I thought that would be easier than a metallic color.  The tank sides have chrome panels and very little of the rear fender is exposed so other than the front fender there isn't that much paint that will be seen.  The side covers are missing but if I find some they are also chrome so no worries about painting them.