BMW plastic & lacquer thinner

[montmil]

During the holidays, besides chasing after little grandchildren, I have devoted a few productive hours preparing the 83' R65s plastic battery side covers for new paint. Repaired a couple small cracks and fabricated a new mounting ear. Easy. It's the louvered spaces that are a real PITA...

Wet sanding the old paint revealed that somewhere in the past a P/O most likely used lacquer thinner, or perhaps acetone, to remove the original BMW #150 blue paint. The evidence is the cracked and crazed plastic substrate.

Should you be contemplating a similar chore, be advised. Do not use a damaging chemical such as lacquer thinner to strip paint and attempt to speed up the prep work; it is extremely damaging to plastics! Acetone is a component of many plastic glues that create a bond by melting the plastic pieces!

I have had to dedicate several additional hours to filling hairline 'checks' with glazing putty, sanding between those little openings and priming... then repeating the entire process. Bummer.

Maybe I'm overdoing the rehab but these side panels have become quite difficult to find. Use the zip tie trick to keep 'em on your scooter.

Yea! It's the weekend...   Monte

[trolle]

Just for your information: they are still available as spareparts, but  on the German eBay the auction prices are higher than the price of a new. Strange indeed.

greetings from a clear and cold north

[montmil]

Just for your information: they are still available as spareparts, but  on the German eBay the auction prices are higher than the price of a new. Strange indeed.  greetings from a clear and cold north

Hey there, Trolle... and greetings to you from a clear and 82F degree day in North Texas

Oh, how I've tried and tried ordering new panels. It's been my experience for now over a year that dealerships are, "currently backordered and awaiting shipment from Germany." Nine months so far with Chicago BMW and they quoted me about $27.00USA each! I told them I'd take all they could get me at that price...LOL ...and hence the eBay higher prices.

I really wonder if the BMW MotherShip is still supporting the plastic bits for our vintage airheads. I'm beginning to doubt.

Bought a pair off eBay for my 81 R65 and darned glad to get them at 3X the "list" price for one 'new' panel. My latest acquisition, an '83 R65, came with a pair that required only a little love to bring up to spec... not including my decision to repaint the bike.

My initial post was to simply remind or warn off anybody attempting to strip paint off any kind of plastic by using lacquer thinner. It's a destroyer.

I'm now up to five coats of SEM flexible primer for plastics with a few swipes of glazing putty on pinholes and small chinks. Sanding each with 320 wet until I see a hint of the plastic substrate. Repeat task.

Monte

 

 

[balibeemer]

I can get them (post 1985) made  in Bali, out of fiberglass!

[montmil]

I can get them (post 1985) made  in Bali, out of fiberglass!

OK, Colin... You've thrown out some bait. Fiberglas would be, IMHO, superior to the OEM plastic. Is this something you've had done before? I'm sure many airhead fans would enjoy reading a few additional details.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Hmm,

I must be lucky - after I lost one of mine last summer riding with Sue, I ordered a new one and got it in in under 4 weeks !  Of course, it is in primer, so I am going to give the old "Rustoleum paint and wet sanding by hand" thing a try on both side covers to get them to match.   I'll post pics if mine turn out half as nice as Monte's did.

+1 on not using any sort of lacquer thinner on any plastic bike parts, too !

[Semper Gumby]

I lost one on I-285 and saw it come off!!!!!  I went back and found it on the inside wall (next to the high speed lane) tracked down a "HERO" unit and talked him into running interferience while I picked it up.  

+1 zip ties.

[montmil]

... I am going to give the old "Rustoleum paint and wet sanding by hand" thing a try on both side covers to get them to match.

It's not "required" to use the Rust-O brand of paints. Any quality brand rattle can enamel will give good results after massaging the cured (as in two weeks minimum) paint with Wet or Dry paper.

I found the Ace Hardware Premier Gloss Black to be a ringer for the OEM black on my 81s front fender, tank and seat piece. The trick is to color sand at least to 800 grit without skipping a grade; up to 1000 grit if you have the patience. Polish, buff and wax for the show bike deep color.

Although I'm prepping the side panels on my wife's -yeah, right - 83 R65, I don't plan to paint the front fender, tank, side panels and tail piece until springtime.

Lynn has selected the 2009 G650 Azur Blue Metallic that she spotted at Lone Star BMW in Austin, Texas. I may have to limber up my old sword striping brush. Where be me One Shot sign enamels?

Here's a photo of the color.

[nhmaf]

My Ace hardware store was out of the store brand rattle cans in black, so I bought the Rust-o brand - and I've also had pretty good luck with the Rusto stuff.
I've a number of packages of waterproof sandpaper in grits from 220 - 1800, so I think that I am good to go, soon - once I get the last of the in-laws out of the house
so I can paint in the basement without too many complaints of paint fumes...

[montmil]

... once I get the last of the in-laws out of the house so I can paint in the basement without too many complaints of paint fumes...

If you're anxious to get started, I might suggest you start painting right now. The footsteps you'll hear are the out-laws heading for the front door!   The Rustoleum will dry almost bullet-proof hard. A good choice.

BTW, I've read several articles about guys painting their cars with Rustoleum and a...paint roller. The paint flows out pretty well as the material is slow to set up. Seen the pics. It's interesting, to be sure. Call it a 20-foot paint job. Not bad for using a roller.

Wear a mask!   Monte

[steve hawkins]

I have almost finished the rustoleum paintjob on my R100.

Was doing over the Christmas break.

I have done the side panels, seat cowl and front mudguard and now just have to flat off and polish the tank.

Looking very Orange....

I would say that it is currently conforms to the '1 ft rule'.

It could easily be better than that, its just down to how much flatting off and buffing you want to do.

I will file a report this weekend when I have buffed the tank up

4 coats of paint  - put on with a brush.  No roller as most parts are curved, etc

Cheers

Steve H

[balibeemer]

I can get them (post 1985) made  in Bali, out of fiberglass!

OK, Colin... You've thrown out some bait. Fiberglas would be, IMHO, superior to the OEM plastic. Is this something you've had done before? I'm sure many airhead fans would enjoy reading a few additional details.

Monte

Gimme a couple of weeks for this. I'm busy printing out wiring diagrams!

[montmil]

I have almost finished the rustoleum paintjob on my R100. Was doing over the Christmas break.
I have done the side panels, seat cowl and front mudguard and now just have to flat off and polish the tank. Looking very Orange....
I would say that it is currently conforms to the '1 ft rule'. It could easily be better than that, its just down to how much flatting off and buffing you want to do.

I will file a report this weekend when I have buffed the tank up  4 coats of paint  - put on with a brush.  No roller as most parts are curved, etc

Cheers
Steve H

Color wet sand that puppy until your hands go monkey wrinkles. It'll look like a pro spray job. Polishing with bring back the gloss. Wax will make the paint look ten feet deep. Long live the Karate Kid! Post some pics. Your work, Grasshopper, will encourage others.       Monte

[montmil]

I can get them (post 1985) made  in Bali, out of fiberglass!

OK, Colin... You've thrown out some bait. Fiberglas would be, IMHO, superior to the OEM plastic. Is this something you've had done before? I'm sure many airhead fans would enjoy reading a few additional details.

Monte

Gimme a couple of weeks for this. I'm busy printing out wiring diagrams!

No rush, Colin. You may even have to check in at work once in awhile!     Monte