I’m still learning as I go with this painting lark, but I’m getting the hang of it. 90% of it is preparation, the other 10% is patience. You have to have a perfect surface to get a perfect finish. And then you have to apply very thin layers of paint many times. Also, I only found out yesterday, there are different types of clear coat. I had normal clear coat, which gives a nice shiny result when polished, but it seems there is also gloss. I’m hoping that is the final step.
Here is some stuff I’ve done.
It’s hard to make out detail there, but the fork stanchions are in black satin, the mudguard is in black gloss.
While I had the forks off I’ve had a look at the yokes. The top yoke has polished up surprisingly well. From this
To this
I’ve done a few other bits. The most notable was my front wheel. The Tractor was stood for 20 years so the chrome on the rims was ruined. I painted them aluminium while I was getting it back on the road, which was an improvement, but it still looks noticeably poor. And now it’s getting stains and smudges it looks worse. I thought I’d give it a go black.
Vast improvement. That’s before the clear layers and polish. The black covers a multitude of sins and will hopefully not show any further muck.
I resprayed the bottom yoke, but that’s not come up so well. I’ll see what it looks like after the clear layers and polish.
When I took the yokes off the bearings lifted out with my fingers. I thought that was alarming so ordered a new bearing kit while it was all apart, another job I shouldn’t have to do ever again. It turns out Harleys have the bearings loose, situated in a race which is jammed in. I checked the races. The bottom is fine but the top one has notches so I’ve knocked it out and ground it down (as per the manual) to use to drive the new one in when it arrives.
Things are all going suspiciously well.
I’m working tomorrow and Sunday, but as soon as my parts all arrive I can spray the clear layers then polish up the bits. Fit the new race and bearings. Refit my yoke, forks, mudguard, front wheel, and handlebars. Then jack the back wheel off the ground and sand and paint that. And take the connector apart in my headlight so I can take the headlight off and use filler to smooth it off, then respray it.
Then the rear mudguard.
Then the real test, the tank. I’m going to spray the one that’s on it, for now. It will give me an idea if I’m good enough, without me having to spend £340 on a new tank and another £200 on an air compressor to leak test it.
I may try to spray the engine in situ as well. I can’t be arsed stripping the engine down to take it out of the frame. Next time I have to take it out I may try and do it as one unit. It is definitely not light though. They recommend removing the barrels and taking out both sides of the engine internals.
Anyway, just to say it’s hardly cost me owt (about £70 in paint -still got 7 of the 10 black paints, the primer, and 2 new cans of clear- a bunch of sandpapers, and filler) but I’m getting some good results and I’m really pleased with it. I’m actually enjoying it. Starts off a state, I put in the time and effort, and it comes out so much better. Cool.
I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’ll put it back together then make a judgement.
Later.
Buck.