Fairing paint

[Steve G]

Hi- I'm doing a bunch of winter work on my red '81 R65. One part is I am looking to paint a small fairing I have on the bike (currently black) a color that is close to the bike color. I know it would be hard if not impossible to match, which is why I am hoping to just have it really close. And I need very little of it.
Any suggestions on trying to source it?  Thanks.

[Julio A.]

I assume the paint on your r65 is still factory original.

Find the color code of your bike here: http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/pcodes.htm
Since your bike is red, I assume the code to be 518

Then go to this page and input the Manufacturer and color code.
http://coloronline.glasurit.com/?language=8

[Steve G]

Thanks Julio. I should have said that I have been to a bunch of those color code matching sites and have had no luck with finding anything for code 518. Just curious what others might have come up with .

[montmil]

Exact matching paint colors, especially attempting to match any cadmium color that has weathered due to age, can be a huge exercise in frustration. My worst case scenario was buying the correct paint code for my 1986 VW Cabriolet's fender flares repaint and finding the color different when installed. Again, the patina of age got me.

Back to your paint concern: My wife wanted me to paint the '83 R65 with a blue metallic that she saw on a new F-model BMW at Lone Star BMW. Matching was not going to be easy outside of buying that way high $$$ Glasurit paint.

I began trolling the new car dealerships and found a Honda car that was a match. That paint was soon mixed at my favorite autobody supplier and shot on the R65. Score!

I would suggest you begin watching late model automobiles. Find one that the color suits your needs. Also pick up some color chip samples at the dealerships. Import autos seem to offer a greater selection of interesting colors.

Luck to you.

[montmil]

Part Dos: You may want to ask the color house to add a flex agent to your paint. May help prevent paint cracks if your fairing has any sort of wiggle to it.

[Justin B.]

If you can find a spot that has been protected (like under a sticker or something) most auto color joints will have a gizmo that will "look" at the paint and spit out a formula.  Or, go through the chip books and you will probably find something close.  Our '84 was originally blue and wyhen I repainted it I found that DuPont Hot Hues "Blue Mood" was a very good match.

[Olliepup]

Montmils suggestions are the way I'd go. My son had several fairing pieces on his K75 color matched and painted by a local body shop and the match was perfect, taking in the natural aging of the other parts. You may be able to find some actual original color, but it probably wont match what's on your bike.

[Steve G]

Great, thanks for the advice, I still have a few months left to play with this before I will need to get it back on.
Steve