Paint update on my S

[nvr2old]

Every since I finished my S model this past summer, I always wished I could've painted the tank graphics instead of using decals. I met a guy a few months ago who has the computer program and vinyl cutter in his home shop. He whipped out the stock-size Suzuki and Yoshimura graphics in vinyl to use as stencils and then he airbrushed the new ones on today. This way I was able to also use the same blue as the stripes. I'll re-clear it tomorrow. A fun weekend project

 

[srsupertrap]

Looks Cool, So is this another GS1000 tank you painted considering the one in the background?

 

[nvr2old]

I got two tanks with the bike when I bought it. The other one is pretty rough, but I used it as a guide to measure and lay out the stripes on the second one, also as a guide for positioning the Suzuki graphics.

 

[Nunzio]

A little help from a friend

A little help from a friend

It was cool working on this with nvr2old. Here's a few in process photos from my shop.

nvr2old testing out my airbrush

Masked off and ready for paint

Ready for the Blue Suzuki

Just about ready for the reveal

 

[Nunzio]

So far so good, fingers crossed.

Better than factory,,,,,,SWEET!

 

[cavehamster]

And here I thought my paint was looking good, hehe. That's really slick!

 

[nvr2old]

Jim is an amazing artist. Thanks for posting the pictures, Jim. If anyone needs some painted graphics, especially on a helmet, he's the man you need to get ahold of. This was one time I didn't mind sitting in the background. The results are great!

 

[knotzilla]

Did you make up the templates Ted

 

[posplayr]

Jim is an amazing artist. Thanks for posting the pictures, Jim. If anyone needs some painted graphics, especially on a helmet, he's the man you need to get ahold of. This was one time I didn't mind sitting in the background. The results are great!

Wow that looks great. I just bought some plastic masking tape for doing some colored stripes. I can't even imaging doing this though. Does Jim use you use a laser stencil cutter?

 

[jwhelan65]

Dang, that looks fantastic!

 

[salty_monk]

Looks really nice just like that without the clear.... (I know you can't leave it like that obviously )

 

[nvr2old]

Wow that looks great. I just bought some plastic masking tape for doing some colored stripes. I can't even imaging doing this though. Does Jim use you use a laser stencil cutter?

You can see the computer with the cutting machine on the table top next to me in one of the pics. It's actually blades that do the cutting. Incredibly precise. The black and white outlines around the Suzuki and inside the Yosh logos are only 1/16" and absolutely perfect. Plus, Jim has the hands of a surgeon to pick all those little pieces out between coats, too. I was blown away by the whole process. Took about four hours total working time. I loved the small spray booth, too. Not a whiff of over spray escapes.

 

[nvr2old]

Looks really nice just like that without the clear.... (I know you can't leave it like that obviously )

I really like the matte finish, too. Believe me, I considered using a flattening agent in the clear to maintain it just to be a little different, but went ahead and sprayed the shiny stuff.

 

[Nunzio]

Does Jim use you use a laser stencil cutter?

I think what you mean is do I use a plotter?? I have a Roland plotter that I use for lettering and stuff on my helmet work. I use a special mask vinyl and a really expensive program for making the templates. I made the Yosh and SUZUKI templates to match.

www.graphixbyjim.com

 

[Nunzio]

but went ahead and sprayed the shiny stuff.

I can't wait to see how it turns out. Hope it went well?

 

[nvr2old]

It turned out really well. Looks good all shiny and buried under clear. I'll get some pics up soon.

 

[nvr2old]

Sorry about the delay in posting pictures of my updated S tank with the newly painted on graphics. Turned out great. Now sealed and smoothed under the clear.

Been busy in the garage doing a project bike for Moto Retro Illustrated magazine. An '81 Kawasaki GPz550 and a custom Honda CX500 cafe'. Always room for more. if you're interested in having a paint job this winter, stock to full-blown custom, I'd love to do it for you. Pm me if you're in the market. Thanks.

 

[posplayr]

Sorry about the delay in posting pictures of my updated S tank with the newly painted on graphics. Turned out great. Now sealed and smoothed under the clear.

Been busy in the garage doing a project bike for Moto Retro Illustrated magazine. An '81 Kawasaki GPz550 and a custom Honda CX500 cafe'. Always room for more. if you're interested in having a paint job this winter, stock to full-blown custom, I'd love to do it for you. Pm me if you're in the market. Thanks.

That is very pretty. How many coats of clear go over the graphics? You are sand ing between coats i assume. Are uou buffing out the last coat? Look like a mirror.

 

[midnightcafe]

Been busy in the garage doing a project bike for Moto Retro Illustrated magazine.

you mean Mitch Boehm's mag? Sounds awesome! Any pics/ how's progress on those projects?

 

[Mindless]

Damn that looks sweet. Great job!