factory painting techniques

[gubbs]

does anyone know what the factory does to plastics to achieve the long lasting durable finish you get on oem fairings etc?

I mean its a good paint job that can last 15+ years of all weather riding, cleaning, abrasive scrubbing etc.

what do they do?

what materials do they use? is it sprayed or dipped or just coloured plastic with a ceramic clear coat or something and not paint after all?

[masterofinsanity]

i think the base is coloured plastic then other colours sprayed on top, but yeah there must be some secret or very thick laquer.

[RedexRobB]

abrasive rubbing? your not meant to clean your bike with a brillo pad Gubbs!

Im guesing its in the laquer somehow?

[CarneyUK]

If you are still looking for info, see if you can get a copy of Augusts 2007 Ride magazine. It's got a 6 page part all about painting bikes.

As RobB said it's all in the Laquer. They reckon 80% of the standard of the finished job is down to the laquer. They say you can spray a bike yourself ie primer ( 1 pack), main colours (1 pack) and then the Laquer must be done by a pro using 2 pack laquer. This is because it contains Isocyanates that can kill ya.

I've not long read it as I will be respraying my bike up to the laquer stage then I got some friends who will do the final laquer.

[Northern ANdy]

thats why the paint shop wouldn't sell me the laquer for mine because it had the isocyanates in it.

[Gary@bikersbasin.com]

depends where you go. if you are bassed in teesside a compant called John davey paints will sel you 2pac laqour there is one in middlesbrough and one in darlo not sure if theres any others about. just done my zxr over the summer using auto aircolours paint and 2pac laqour. needs a litle bit more detail work but it will do for now.
http://www.bikersbasin.com/BankHolidayM ... 64_jpg.jpg

[masterofinsanity]

nice bike mate, like the muddy!!