Paint my bike. another AirHead Rescue

[kstoo]

I need to begin researching how to paint this frame. I've included a picture so that you can see that it is obvious that it needs to be done. When you stop laughing ... I am looking for advise. I am assuming that I have to disassemble to the various frame parts and for the sake of economics probably strip the paint(s) off.
Here are some of my questions:
What is the best way of stripping it down to metal?
What is the best type of paint to use?
:naive: What is powder coat?
Who should I send this to have painted? I don't mind shipping it if it means a great paint job for a good price.
How much should I expect to pay for frame painting?

So, please share your experience/ expertise in this matter to help me get started.

I have always wanted a white-framed white BMW. I am thinking of doing that here. I am thinking not R51/3 white but maybe R27 creamy white. hmmm?

Like this:
http://jeff.dean.home.att.net/64r27w.jpg

Not like this:

[PAGoldsby]

I think that would be neat.

[kstoo]

oops. I meant 'Dover White'

[sachiwilson]

Here are some of my questions:
What is the best way of stripping it down to metal?
What is the best type of paint to use?
:naive: What is powder coat?
Who should I send this to have painted? I don't mind shipping it if it means a great paint job for a good price.
How much should I expect to pay for frame painting?

The best way to strip the frame is "sand" blasting, but using a medium such as walnut shells or other less-destructive grit. Works a treat.

Powder coating is a powdered paint that is bonded to metal parts by electricity, as I recall, and then heated until it melts. It can create a very, very tough paint and is great for simple colors (like the usual black frames -- I powder coated my Brit bike frames.) I don't think you will be able to get a good match for Dover White from a powder coater, but you can ask around. Also, from my experience powder coating is not a "fine" paint - it's a durable working paintjob, but not something that you'd put on a frame that was meant to be a showpiece.

However, you should ask around in your area for good quality car and bike painters, especially ones who can really bake the paint on. There are plenty of good, durable paints now that will serve you well. You should not need to ship your frame off to a specialist unless you are really intent on having a perfect restoration.

[James.A]

My buddy who restores bikes reports that some of the current powder coat methods can actually "shrink" holes and threaded bosses. The paint is so hard and so thick that it is advisable to plug holes that bolts go into. Otherwise, you'll need a die grinder and thread chasers when re-assembling your bike. This is especially important where bearing races are to be fitted, like the steering head, etc.

[spof650]

It is true that powder coating will fill in the hole and you need to re-tap them to clean out the paint or roll up tape and push thru the holes before hand also helps if the Powder coater has done motorcycle frames before and understands the considerations we have.
I am going to do my frame that way this winter.
had a few dirt bike frames done one in black the other in a metallic looking silver that Yamaha used on thier bikes looked damm good
Frame does have to be media blasted first . But to me the results are fantstic and look factory like

[R80andR100RT]

If I had it to do over I wouldn't have had my R80 frame powder coated. The paint is hard like glass which chips easily.

[sumran]

If you had an LSU logo airbrushed on the side of the tank you might be able to sell that baby as-is for a tidy profit.:D

[Bigrider]

Harley riders go to great expense to get that degree of uniqness....why change?. Enjoy.:brow :brow

Dave H
San Antonio, TX

[Braddog]

My buddy who restores bikes reports that some of the current powder coat methods can actually "shrink" holes and threaded bosses. The paint is so hard and so thick that it is advisable to plug holes that bolts go into. Otherwise, you'll need a die grinder and thread chasers when re-assembling your bike. This is especially important where bearing races are to be fitted, like the steering head, etc.

A gentleman that I know who restores Beemers said that powdercoating a frame is overkill. The reason he cited was that most parts of a frame will never see the kind of direct wear that would result in paint being worn away. Powdercoating this like wheels is another story.

[crazydrummerdude]

Try painting it yourself. It's fun.

Or, for lots and lots of money and trade for motorcycles.. I'll do it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/aretnap69/grandmas/august27029.jpg

[kstoo]

If you had an LSU logo airbrushed on the side of the tank you might be able to sell that baby as-is for a tidy profit.:D

HAR !!
I had to google image LSU to get that joke. I am slow but I catch up.

[kstoo]

Try painting it yourself. It's fun.

Or, for lots and lots of money and trade for motorcycles.. I'll do it.



between some of the comments about powder coating and your comment ... that might be the thing to do.

from your picture which documents your lack of concentration when at task I would think that it is not a good idea to pay you money or give you motorcycles to paint. That is not an option. :nyah

[wuli959]

There is a custom painter in Louisville, Ky called Taylor's House of Color (http://bobtaylors.com/main.htm)that does a great job for a reasonable sum. They're a custom paint house mainly on 4 wheel vehicles. This is assuming that you're not trying to go to concours level.

I restored a '67 R69S about 5 years ago, and had heard about him through a local source. When I went by to check out their operation . . . he had about 5 BMW gas tanks thre that had been shipped in from various parts of the country.

I had him paint the tank and fenders (powdercoated the frame by a different vendor) They did a great job . . hand pin striping looked super.

Price was waaaaaaay below other quotes I had received. Not concours but affordable for a bike that I like to ride often.