Painting my Honda ST1300 (Please Help)

[Matt Smith]

Hi all,

There is such a slough of conflicting information about Painting plastic online, so I wanted to talk with those of you who have panted exactly the same bike I have.

I'm going to do this myself, and it needs to be relatively cheap. I have painted a motorcycle before, and it came out great, but that was metal. I understand the need for prep and flash times etc. One of the biggest conflicts I am finding is weather or not I should use primer. Most of the conflict I find around using primer seems to stem from the fact that its recommended to use bulldog adhesion promoter after sanding. Then I see people just jumping to paint.

Here is the basic outline for my plan (Please tell me if you did something different, and how your paint looked years later)
1. Clean with simple green. Followed by SOS pads.
2. Scuff with 400-600 grit sand paper for adhesion (creating a tooth), then clean again, and let dry.
3. Wipe with Tack Cloth
4. Spray with Bulldog adhesion promotor according to directions.
5. No primer is needed???
6. Paint with color (Chatgpt suggested Krylon Fusion all-in-one)
7. Clear coat.


Any help is greatly appreciated This bike is in desperate need of paint.

 

[sTaylor]

I’ve used Earlex products for years to great success. Nice portable airless for under a hundred, I believe. Good luck!

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Hi all,

There is such a slough of conflicting information about Painting plastic online, so I wanted to talk with those of you who have panted exactly the same bike I have.

I'm going to do this myself, and it needs to be relatively cheap. I have painted a motorcycle before, and it came out great, but that was metal. I understand the need for prep and flash times etc. One of the biggest conflicts I am finding is weather or not I should use primer. Most of the conflict I find around using primer seems to stem from the fact that its recommended to use bulldog adhesion promoter after sanding. Then I see people just jumping to paint.

Here is the basic outline for my plan (Please tell me if you did something different, and how your paint looked years later)
1. Clean with simple green. Followed by SOS pads.
2. Scuff with 400-600 grit sand paper for adhesion (creating a tooth), then clean again, and let dry.
3. Wipe with Tack Cloth
4. Spray with Bulldog adhesion promotor according to directions.
5. No primer is needed???
6. Paint with color (Chatgpt suggested Krylon Fusion all-in-one)
7. Clear coat.


Any help is greatly appreciated This bike is in desperate need of paint.

Hi Matt, there are some real painters here, maybe one will see this. The prep looks good, most times you get the best finish with spraying color, then wet sand and spray again. after a few coats, repeat the process with the clear coat. Not saying Krylon won't work, it's just not how most good finishes are created.

Take a middle cowl and try it, worst that happens is you sand it off. There are some YT videos of color matching my bumper and such that will go through the process. Your on the right track, give it a shot and do some before and after picts. Good luck!!

 

[SMSW]

Do you have any friends who are auto mechanics? They might have auto body shop friends and might give you a referral. Most cars now have plastic bumper covers and auto body guys have to have a wealth of experience painting plastic.

 

[Al st1100]

Adhesion promoter was was a shortcut for lazy body men, well sanded stiff plastics with modern paints does not need a promoter.Paint prep takes 60 to 90% of the time to do a project. Primer can be used to fill minor imperfections in the old paint such as minor scratches and chips. Then sand again, tac, color coat. Don't paint if humidity is above 60%. Be aware of your flash times for 2nd and 3rd coats and before clear coat. Besure base paint is thoroughly cured,a light sanding with 6-800 will remove slight dust that may be there and promote adhesion of the clear . Note that Krylon Clear has no mention of UV protection.

 

[Sadlsor]

Wind... is not your friend.
I'm sure you have considered it, but with the detail and attention you're already putting into this project, don't let a dusty, breezy environment wreck your efforts.
Other than that... YES! for pictures.

 

[dwalby]

I've never tried Krylon, but I've painted two other motorcycles with ABS bodywork with regular automotive paint and it worked very well without anything other than the paint itself, no primer.