[Shawnee7]

I'm looking to buy my first bike, used. Some of the best deals are in colors that I would want to change. Can I just paint the whole body myself? Replace the plastic? pay to have it painted, cost? What are my options to completely change the color of the bike? And how much does it approximately cost for each option?

 

[Pete650R2012]

I am in the same boat. Now that I actually bought the bike, I think i can live with the all-black better than a color that i actually don't like...

but would like to find an inexpensive paint shop.

i hope someone can reply with some useful info...but best bet may be to get quotes from local shops.
My limited results so far is around 350 at a body repair shop... to around 1200 at a motorcycle custom paint shop...but these are rough estimated without them seeing the bike.

 

[byte2022]

The only thing i can warn you off is make sure the are aware of the plastic flexing and use the right paint for that. Paint on bikes chips easier than re painted cars.

 

[Pete650R2012]

My personal preference is to leave the plastic parts black...and have only the metal parts..tank...etc..painted

 

[earlthepearl]

I painted my plastic after a couple mishaps.....
Ya....Go ahead n laugh....LOL
I used Krylon from walmart.
I light sanded......
wiped to get dust off....I'm not real picky...
Primed 2 coats.....
lightly sanded with very fine paper.....
Wiped....
Painted black like 5 coats......
sanding between a bit.....
clear coated a few times.....
It is holding up very well, and.....
I am very hard on my shit as far as paint, etc....
Hell....at times instead of washing the thing first....
I just use a rag and wipe dirt off.....
I plan to repaint all the plastic again this winter.....
Probly the tank too......
seeing i have scratch the crap out of that too this year.....
Wonder how hard that tank pads gunna come off....LOL
Do what u want to do.....
It's just a bike.....
Keep running gear n things like that in good order tho....

 

[indyjoe7]

They would use adhesion promoter , it is used with all types of plastics when being painted. Have used it many times, actually used it when I painted my windscreen. It helps to keep the paint from cracking n chipping when the plastic flexes. If your doing it yourself, u can buy it at any automotive store.

 

[earlthepearl]

They would use adhesion promoter , it is used with all types of plastics when being painted. Have used it many times, actually used it when I painted my windscreen. It helps to keep the paint from cracking n chipping when the plastic flexes. If your doing it yourself, u can buy it at any automotive store.

Silly putty

 

[NefRider]

Just powder coat the whole bike ....

 

[earlthepearl]

I'd still scratch it....LOL

 

[NefRider]

I'd still scratch it....LOL

Well ... If it itches , scratch it!

:NefRider:

 

[earlthepearl]

am painting the seat plastics right now....
Flat back....
Guess i moved a bit taking the pic.....
OOOOooooWell....

I had to repair one side....cracked from weight of saddlebags.
I reinforced-it with plastic weld/fiberglass cloth n a 1/8" welding rod cut to a length as needed put under the fiberglass cloth.
I reinforced the other side as well.
Sanded lightly..wiped clean..Primed with primer 4 plastic.
Krylon plastic paint flat black first coat.
I'll do a few more coats then 2 coats clear.
Good enough for this stuff....
I'll be scratching it again anyway putting saddlebags on n off...
:facepalm:

 

[Mad Mike]

I am in the same boat. Now that I actually bought the bike, I think i can live with the all-black better than a color that i actually don't like...

but would like to find an inexpensive paint shop.

i hope someone can reply with some useful info...but best bet may be to get quotes from local shops.
My limited results so far is around 350 at a body repair shop... to around 1200 at a motorcycle custom paint shop...but these are rough estimated without them seeing the bike.

Do you have an air compressor?

 

[Pete650R2012]

Do you have an air compressor?

Nope...though one day I would consider that project. I see someone doing that on you tube...

 

[Mad Mike]

They are a great investment. Spray can stuff lacks durability. Paint gotta be catalyzed to hold up. Painting is not hard, just time consuming.

 

[earlthepearl]

They are a great investment. Spray can stuff lacks durability. Paint gotta be catalyzed to hold up. Painting is not hard, just time consuming.

Hard as i am on paint walmart stuff works fine 4 me....:thumb:

 

[mischae_ninja250]

Just drive through mud it will paint ur bike a nice brown

 

[earlthepearl]

Just drive through mud it will paint ur bike a nice brown

Datsa How i used to paint the dirt bikes...:thumb: