How to Custom Paint Your Motorcycle

 Motorcycle custom painting adds personality to your bike. Some people would like to do it on their own and others would like to take it to a professional. It takes time equipment and a lot of different products and materials. You'll need an air compressor, with spray guns and maybe an airbrush, DA sander and a buffer. You also need a place to work. You should have ample room to move around. You should have plenty of light and fans to remove the paint fumes and over-spray.

Step 1: First, you need to strip down your motorcycle parts to bare metal. You can do this in two different ways. The first way is to sand it. You can use a DA sander or by hand. The second way is to use a chemical stripper be sure to wear gloves. Use an etching solution when you're done.

Step 2: I suggest for this step that you use a two-stage primer. You can use several coats at one time before you leave it set for 3 hours. Then you will need to sand the parts. Start with 220 grit first and then go to 400 and 600 grit.

Step 3: Wipe down with a cleaner. You can buy some at the automotive supply store I use rubbing alcohol. When the parts are dry from the cleaner, wipe down with a tack rag and you're ready to paint

Step 4: Paint with your base color and then follow up with 2 to 3 good coats of clear.

Step 5: Sand clear with 400 grit sandpaper, then follow up with 600 grit. Apply your stripes, design or mural, whatever you have picked out. Clearing before this step allows you to remove it, in case you make a mistake and start over again.

Step 6: Apply 8 to 12 coats of clear coat.

Step 7: You will need to use a variety of sandpapers. Start with 400, 600 and then 1000 grit. Then use the really fine sandpaper the 1500, 2000 grit and then finish with 2500 grit sandpaper.

Step 8: Do not use a heavy compound. Start by using a medium buffing compound with the white foam pad. Next used a fine compound with the black foam pad. Finish with an anti-swirl and a hand glaze.

There are a lot of steps and materials that most people don't realize. This is just a brief and simple step-by-step. If you feel like you are up to take on a project like this, fine. It could be fun, and definitely an adventure. If you're not up to doing a motorcycle custom painting job on your own, you can contact me. I'm looking for a project to do a step by step, as I go on my website.