81 GS550T Full Rebuild...In Ohio

The paint is a PPG DBC/DBI PCL/KCL Blue Streak Pearl B/C code number 931299

Make sure you buy enough paint for everything this one. PPG's Deltron DBC has very picky blue and purple toners. They're very potent and when mixing for a certain paint code they are almost always incorrect. It's critical to use one batch for everything because the next may not be the same color.
I just switched my clear to PPG's Omni 4.2 voc production clear. If I recall a gallon with hardener was close to $100 and I recomment it over Deltron 2000. The only problem I've found with it, is over 85/90*F it flashes and hazes badly.

[pete]

Bugger Scott... but I like that blue!

[cowboyup3371]

Discovered last night after putting the coils and gear indicator wiring back on that I can't find the starter button for my right handle switch. Ordered a new one plus a couple of other things I needed from Boulevard this morning so I'm back to waiting for a couple of weeks.

[cowboyup3371]

The paint is a PPG DBC/DBI PCL/KCL Blue Streak Pearl B/C code number 931299 found on the Avenger, Dart, and Caravan (sorry I was mistaken as the other one I'd considered was found on the Viper). I'm really looking forward to what it will look like once we're done.

Here's a picture of a Dart with it.

[pete]

Shouldn't need to Scott, from memory I waited overnight to do my clear and that was within the re-coat time of the paint I used which I think was 24 hours.

Basically it depends on the paint, but they will give you a re-coat time.

I figured if I did my last base coat in the afternoon, then the first clear first thing the next morning it'd be fine. Seems like it worked out too...

[cowboyup3371]

Nvr2old, does that mean I should have a second gun to spray the clear since the paint would dry before I could finish cleaning the first gun?

[nvr2old]

With a metallic or a pearl, I would suggest spraying the clear at the same time as the base coat. Reason being, you won't be able to sand the base coat the next day without disturbing the pearl or the metallic. Do it all at one time, even if it's just to lay down a couple of coats of clear to protect the base coat. Then you can sand it smooth before applying the final clear coats.

[pete]

Glad to hear you taking the time to get the prep and primer right first Scott.

The other issue I had was not realising they gave me fast curing activator/catalyst/whatever you call it component of the two pack primer and it actually started curing in the gun as I was spraying as it was quite warm... I had to sand the primer back quite a bit and redo it as well...

Yeah, it's a learning experience

[cowboyup3371]

Wheels, tank, and side covers will be the same color - basically pearl blue; I still didn't get the codes when I stopped at the house tonight to wet sand the tank and side covers.

I found there are some spots that need to be redone so I'll mix up some more primer tomorrow night, spray it, and go from there. Fortunately, I have time before Friday night when we intend to lay down the color.

[tkent02]

Blue or red?

What color for the wheels?

[cowboyup3371]

Yea, he's going to be around to help out and as best I could tell before I left it this morning the bondo was covered well. But I'll recheck it tonight when I go back over to sand.

Pete, I don't remember but I've seen enough other threads from people who've messed up so that does scare me. I was doing okay on the tank and side covers but the wheels were killing me. I hate trying to paint spokes.

The new paint should be interesting as the color I chose has some metallic in it as well. I left the code sheet at the garage but it's one found on the Dodge Viper as well as a couple of other Chrysler vehicles. The guy at the paint store is really excited to see the bike when I'm done and already warned me I would need to wear my sunglasses when looking at it...

[tkent02]

My friend had to step in on more than a few occasions to get spots I missed or tell me to slow down.

Scott, slow down!

Are you absolutely sure the prep is perfect? Can't see the bondo even though you know where to look? No flaws, stains or fingerprints on it anywhere? No funny textures or discolored spots?

Is your friend going to be there while you shoot the rest of it? Got any old appliances or fenders mailboxes or anything you can practice on?

Can't wait to see the end result.

[pete]

Good stuff Scott, I'm so jealous of the room you have!

Painting with the gun definitely takes some practise. I think I was starting to get the hang of it by the time I got half way through the clear coat... the primer was ok but spraying the pearl base coat was an adventure, not sure if you remember my first effort ending up mottled and I had to sand it back and start again.

Well worth the end result though

[cowboyup3371]

Parts are primed and I'll go sand down the tank later this afternoon. Hope to lay down the base coat Friday night or Saturday morning then the clear the next day.










I will admit to this...painting with a gun is nowhere near as easy as it looks especially since I'm real bad at judging distance when looking at things. My friend had to step in on more than a few occasions to get spots I missed or tell me to slow down.

Oh well, I'm looking forward to seeing the final product.

[cowboyup3371]

After picking up the base and clear coats from the local paint shop, I finally finished redoing the bondo on the gas tank while the eldest cleaned off the residue from stripping the wheels. So, we're going to lay down the primer in the AM then see about painting next weekend.

Also replaced a couple of terminals on the wiring harness and will try to get it back on the bike tomorrow.