K1100LT Paint

[BobK11LT]

It is time to repaint some parts of my 1995 K1100LT. Too much touch up paint over too much time. The color code on the chasses is 704 which I believe translate to Graphite Metallic. I am advised by ColorRite.com that they do not have this color available and do know who might. Does anyone have any ideas? I am looking for this color in an aerosol can as I do not have compressors or spray guns. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[BuddingGeezer]

Toyota, Lexus Scion has a color close to the Graphite metallic on better looking (IMO). it is called Flint Mica. the sunlight will bring out flecks of green and purple. I painted a K100LT this color.

Ralph Sims

[nh7robmw]

Chevrolet has a very nice charcoal gray metallic on their 2009 Traverse SUVs called Cyber Gray Metallic; looks pretty close to what you have in your photo (nice bike!).

No purple or green flakes or any other funny business, either:laugh

Most paint shops can mix a color and put it in rattle cans if you so desire; hopefully you already have the proper gear otherwise.

[miKeinWis]

CarQuest stores have computer imaging machine to match your color. Take side panel in for them to read the color. Then most have ability to put the mix in a spray can. PPG paint. I got a can for the GL500 I'm painting. $30 for the can. Not cheap but good paint and color match. A pint would have been too much and lots more $$$. Plus convienence of can.
Good luck.
Mike

[BuddingGeezer]

A spray can finish will not be very durable. spray can clear coat is a one part paint and not as hard as a clear coat with hardener. The above pic was painted with PPG Omni base coat/ clear coat , 2 coats each, 2000 grit wet sanded and buffed with an electric buffer. that pic was taken 18 months and 23K miles on that paint job and had very few nicks. There is also no need to use a flex agent in urethane paint. The side covers flex when removed or installed.

Ralph Sims

[nh7robmw]

So, Ralph; I guess you liked the Omni OK? I've heard it tends to be a little watery... I'm planning on using Concept or Deltron for mine.

[BuddingGeezer]

So, Ralph; I guess you liked the Omni OK? I've heard it tends to be a little watery... I'm planning on using Concept or Deltron for mine.

I used the Omni because a good buddy that let me use his shop and is in the auto body business had it left from repairing a fender on a Toyota Scion. 0 $$ cost. The paint job turned out very nice. He uses Omni almost exclusively and does great work. The clear he uses isn't Omni and may not even be PPG. I can ask what he uses. The clear coat is very durable. I have painted a set of bags on my ST1100 and have kicked them and they remain in great shape.

People would come up to me to look at the bike and remark about how good it looked. To me that dark grey flowed what I consider a clunky looking bike into a longer more sleek shape. I sprayed the knee pads and you can see they had very little wear in 23K miles.

Here is the bike when I started.

Ralph Sims

[BuddingGeezer]

The forum will no let me post a pic that has already been posted. You can go here
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16906

Ralph Sims

[BobK11LT]

This is very helpful information. As usual there were more steps to the process and more that I knew about.

Now that I have read your notes I see that that a hardener activated clear coat is the real plus is getting the best result. Due to lack of expertise and equipment this may not be a possibility for me. How close can I come to an acceptable result with aerosol can clear coat?

Also BuddingGeezer I wish I had read your notes on the fiberglass repair and the use of Bondo Body Filler before is used the filler. The results look fairly good but no doubt could have been better with the epoxy putty.

Appreciative of everyone’s in put and glad to be learning from you

[58058D]

Bob,
Just picked up on your post.....Interesting that you got a response from Colorite that they do not have the color. They never responded to many emails of mine a year ago and then a month or so ago, I went online and checked, they do have a color that they indicate is 'the same', it is listed for K's for the time period. I bought the primer, the paint and the clearcoat and am just waiting for the time to do the spray work on my 2000 RS with the same code as yours. The sprayout on a piece of white plastic - primer, color, clear - really does look to be the same. Their code is MA8053 Description: BMW 342 Graphite. Total for all three cans +S&H was $85. If I ever get a chance to finish this job up I will let you know if it actually is the same. My bike has ove 124k and probably 50k with the scratches, so I figure this will not be a concours job, but way better than what I have had....

[nh7robmw]

Nice job, Ralph and thanks for the link to the before after photos. Good to read your Fibron repair posts again, too. I'm going out back to clean all my tupperware some more now...

Let us know if you recall the type of clear your friend uses if you can (although I think I should stick with all PPG products as recommended so often; this will be my first real paint job)

Hope I didn't derail this thread:bolt

[nh7robmw]

Now that I have read your notes I see that that a hardener activated clear coat is the real plus is getting the best result. Due to lack of expertise and equipment this may not be a possibility for me. How close can I come to an acceptable result with aerosol can clear coat?


If you use a German rattle-can clear called Spray Max you'll be a happy camper---it has a two-part (catalyst) composition that is very durable and even solvent-resistant. Pull the pin (like a grenade, sort of) and it releases the catalyst inside the can. Widely available in the Lower 48 states, AFAIK.

Only drawback is that you must use up the can within a few hours of "mixing" it (it hardens).

Haven't used it myself but have read lots of great things about Spray Max on the ADV forums (lots of DIY painters hang out there)

[58058D]

I have not looked, but are you sure it is okay for the lower 48, or just the other 47........? Oh, after my work day in Sac, I'll stop across the street and ask Arnie...

[nh7robmw]

No idea for California but quite possibly restricted there, come to think of it:scratch.

[36423]

Bob,you need to get ahold of Holt bmw who sells glasurit paint! their phone# 740-593-6690. hope this helps monte