Side Cover dillema.. sollution??

[TheBigRed]

Ok, the PO of the 650 had started re-painting the bike and started with the side covers.

Painted them this semi-metalic blue-green.

In an attempt to bring it back to stock, I rattle canned it back to black and a "chrome" but the "chrome" has since gone grey.

Anyway, recently I read quite a bit about break fluid taking off cheap rattle can paint with ease. So last night (or was it the night before) I took one of the side covers and on the inside (as a test area) placed some break fluid and left it sit. Sure enough the rattle can paint is coming off with ease.

Now for my real question.. Where can I get a gallon of break fluid so I can soak the side covers to get all the messed up (both mine and the PO's) rattle can paint off of them. (really hoping that under all that rattle can paint is a decent OEM surface)

Amos

[Jethro]

I don't know if I'd use brake fluid to get the paint off. Why not just sand it off? Side covers don't take that long to sand, and you'll have to do that anyway.

[TheBigRed]

I don't know if I'd use brake fluid to get the paint off. Why not just sand it off? Side covers don't take that long to sand, and you'll have to do that anyway.

I had sanded before applying my rattle can job, and wasn't able to get through to the original surface without spending a great deal of time and care.

Also with sanding I'd run the risk of scuffing the surface (I'm hoping the PO did not rough sand the surface before rattle canning it) that I'm trying to make the presentable surface.

With the break fluid the PO's rattle can paint just rubbs right off.

True this may be a bit messy, but as far as I can see it will be the easiest way to get down to the original plastic without the possability of scuffing it up.

Amos

[robinjo]

Brakefluid and plastic? Bit scary for me :? What do new sidecovers cost?

[TheBigRed]

Brakefluid and plastic? Bit scary for me :? What do new sidecovers cost?

More than I want/can afford to put out right now, and that is if I can figure out which ones to get (650 came in an x and z, then between each of them there are 3 part numbers for each of the side covers in the schematics. so looking at 6 options basically, and even at that some have been discontinued. )

So far I'm not seeing any ill effects on the plastic from the break fluid.

Besides, what is your master cylinder made of?? (I know, it may be a different type of plastic, but at any rate I'm not seeing any ill effects on my test area)

Amos

[robinjo]

A member of a Dutch bike forum tried stripping his sidecovers with paint stripper with very bad results (DUH! ) they actually kinda melted and deformed, I'm carefull about anything that 'bites' on plastic.

[TheBigRed]

A member of a Dutch bike forum tried stripping his sidecovers with paint stripper with very bad results (DUH! ) they actually kinda melted and deformed, I'm carefull about anything that 'bites' on plastic.

Yeah, I'm not using paint stripper. Just brake fluid which all it does is break down the components in the rattle can paint and makes it soft enough to rub right off of the plastic.

As I stated I haven't seen it eating into the plastic at all, just the rattle can paint.

Amos

[gasisontheright]

I never knew that. My tank and side covers were done with a rattlecan job, I need to strip down the sidecovers and repaint them and the tank. I think I'll do it this way. 8)

[TheBigRed]

I never knew that. My tank and side covers were done with a rattlecan job, I need to strip down the sidecovers and repaint them and the tank. I think I'll do it this way. 8)

Or wait a little bit and I'll let you know how it comes out.

I'm still trying to source the gallon of fluid so I can just let the covers soak overnight or so.

I just took a rag to the inside of the cover I was doing and wiped up what was left of the paint and brake fluid. Looks good so far and doesn't look like any damage to the plastic.

However, I have been thinking that since using brake fluid it may be more difficult to get any sort of paint to stick to them afterwards.

Perhaps that can be taken care of with a really good thorough cleaning to remove any remnants of the brake fluid.

However I'm hoping that I won't be re-painting and that the surfaces under the paint are the Original without scuffing that should be done before painting.

I will be sure to post here and let everyone know how it works. (Who knows Maybe I'll even have a tip to post in the tips and tricks section)

Amos

[gremlin]

most auto parts stores sell brake fluid in gallon jugs.

to clean use alcohol and soap and water.

[gasisontheright]

I did one of my side covers today. I just used sandpaper and gave it a good scrubbing and made sure it was clean before I shot some spraybomb primer on it. I'll ride with primer for a while, I haven't quite decided what color I'm going to paint the whole bike yet. I got the other cover off and inside so I can sand on it a bit tomorrow at work. 8)

[TheBigRed]

I did one of my side covers today. I just used sandpaper and gave it a good scrubbing and made sure it was clean before I shot some spraybomb primer on it. I'll ride with primer for a while, I haven't quite decided what color I'm going to paint the whole bike yet. I got the other cover off and inside so I can sand on it a bit tomorrow at work. 8)

If I was for sure just going to re-paint that is the route I would go. However my hope is that the original plastic is in good condition underneath so I can go back to the stock sidecovers.

Amos

[gasisontheright]

I flat black primed mine. I'm not sure if I'm going to go back to a stock red and get the stripe kit from the local Suzuki dealership or if I'm going to hit it with a custom black/silver paintjob. Leaning more towards the black/silver 8)

[Anonymous]

Brakefluid on sidecovers

I would be very careful with brake fluid, if it eats away the spray can paint you can bet your bottom dollar it will eat away the original paint too. I know to my horror when topping up my car reservoir with brake fluid I acidentaly spilt some on the duco and when I noticed it it had eaten through to the base coat!!! You can bet also that if it's been sprayed over the original paint there would have possibly been chips scratches or lumps out of them anyway. I had the same problem but mine was sprayed with enamel and I used a mix of acrylic thinner and rubbing compound and got every bit off back to the original pearl white (84 GSX750SE Katana pop-up headlight) but when I got there I realised there werent no way I was going to leave it like it was, so rub down was the only way for a total respray. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

old trick

use an old modelers trick of using oven cleaner to take off the paint. we used to do that if you had to repaint a model