Curse you, last painter!

[montmil]

The 1983 R65 continues its rather slow cosmetic overhaul. Progress has picked up now that school is out for the summer. Both students and staff are happy campers.

Parts of yesterday and today have been devoted to fuel tank paint prep. As in sanding, sanding, sanding and... still more sanding.

The last painter to work on this bike seemed to believe that more is better. I have too thick, sags, orange peel and what is really poor craftsmanship, the tank badges were left in place, masked and the tank sprayed... a bunch. [smiley=furious3.gif]

After using dental floss to saw off the farkles, I found a very heavy ridge of paint in the tank's recessed badge locations. Bummer.

Sanding would have taken all summer so out came the Dremel and several wire wheels. This took care of the "transitions" created when the tank halves were stamped. The center area, with paint that was nearly 1/32-inch thick, yielded to some really cautious work with a sharp 1/2-inch wood chisel. Yes. The paint popped off and left primer behind. Got lucky, I did.

More sanding followed. Necessary to level the tank's side panels after working down the tank badge areas. Spray on a light guide coat of primer, then get busy. More sanding...

Jeez  [smiley=wall.gif]    




Blocked. Shoot a guide coat. More wet sanding...   Monte

[Bob_Roller]

Sounds like it may have been easier to strip all of the old paint down to bare metal, and start off fresh .

[Justin B.]

If you take the entire tank down to bare metal you will likely have to put a thin "wipe" of filler across the top surface (heavier by the filler hole) as the metal has always been pretty wavy on most tanks I've done.

[Bob_Roller]

That's good information to know, I usually strip the paint down to bare metal when I repaint anything .

[Ed Miller]

I like getting steel stuff hot tanked; gets rid of paint, rust, old bondo, and bad karma.

I can't prove the final claim.

[montmil]

If you take the entire tank down to bare metal you will likely have to put a thin "wipe" of filler across the top surface (heavier by the filler hole) as the metal has always been pretty wavy on most tanks I've done.

Roger that, Justin.

A motorcycle-addicted guy at work has a vintage Vincent (aren't they all?) and recently received a new, replica, custom crafted fuel tank from England. He waited over a year for it and paid through his nose for the bare metal bit. I saw it and was astounded at how wavy the metal work was.

He has many hours of skim coating filler, sanding, skim coat... repeat, repeat, repeat. That's why I had no interest in a full strip. Besides, Justin is out of blast sand... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Just shot a full prime coat on the tank this afternoon. I'm maybe halfway to mixing paint.

Monte

[Justin B.]

No comment...

[Crossrodes]

I've yet to do that on my '79 Monte.  I'd love it if you'd post some pictures as you progress as well as the finished product.  I was advised by a paint shop guy that I should strip all the paint off and start fresh.  I may do that.  I've done lots of sanding and filling in my life (but not on gas tanks) so I don't think a little more will hurt.  

[montmil]

Hey there, CrossedUp...

I'll likely post pics in the Gallery section when the entire project is complete.

So far I have stripped to bare metal the tail piece and worked out several kinks in that part. It's in primer right now.

Had to sand to bare plastic resin the side panels. There were a few broken spots -under the multiple paint coatings- that required repairs from the backside. Did not enjoy sanding between the louvers! Both now primered and boxed up for safety.

The fuel tank had an obvious dimple at the top/left/rear. The error was at the junction of the three styling folds (?) so had to carefully match the untarnished corner.
     The existing paint, although very thick, is well-attached to the tank. I'm carefully blocking it down while trying to avoid cutting through to bare metal. Should provide a solid base for the new color.

And the front fender is still on the bike, untouched...

Monte