Paint

[guest1406]

Hi all,

I can’t seem how to post pictures? I've searched for a thread but couldn't find much, or is it me?

Anyway, I've a tank that I've stripped some paint off, leaving some parts bare metal and some with original paint on.

I’d like to know if I have to sand back the original existing lacquer. Or can I lacquer straight over it all?

Ill post pics when I can find out how to.

Cheers,

Mackenzie

[timbo]

Hi Mackenzie,
I've recently started to repaint my hubby's Honda Vigor tank. It was in OK condition with some areas needing sanding back to the metal, decals removed and those areas 'flattened' with 400 grade wet & dry. The majority of the tank was original paint.
I made sure the whole tank was keyed, by sanding the whole tank. (Not back to metal) I cleaned the surface with panel wipe, sprayed the bare metal with etch primer, then stared with a fine coat of high build primer. Better adhesion for any further coats is achieved this way.
You can apply another fine coat of high build. Any areas that need further filling should get filled and sanded if necessary, then 1 decent coat of high build.
Sand with a finer paper, say 600, then apply your top coats of colour. I'd recommend 4. Any decals go on before lacquer. Lacquer approx 4-5 coats.
Hope this helps
Ali
PS. You should b able to post photos (restricted in size) by hitting the blue 'Attachments and other options' link at the bottom right of these text boxes in messages.

[guest1406]

Hope this works

[deleted to save space]

[guest1406]

It worked! Ok so that it, Ive also done a stripe down the middle too.

So Timbo are you saying to sand the whole tank (including the painted areas) with fine paper (400/600 grit) first. Then spray everything with what?

Thanks for your help

Mackenzie

[timbo]

Ah, a picture paints a thousand words. So, you want to have bare metal panels on the tank?
So to laquer the whole tank, sand everything with a fine grade of wet and dry, 1500, or even 2000 grade. Alternatively, mask off the painted bits first, and laquer the bare panels a few times before doing the above.

[guest1406]

Thats right, keep the bare metal bare and keep the paint.

Ill get some 2000 wet and dry and give it ago. How do i know when ive sanded enough?

Cheers

Mackenzie

[timbo]

Just aire on the side of caution. Gentle sanding only. Smoothing your hand over the surface should be a good guide. Use a good light to illuminate your work. Hope it works out.

[guest1406]

just sanded it all with 1500 then 2000, can I use a clear lacquer aerosol spray can? When I sprayed a bare metal tank with clear lacquer aerosol spray can, as soon as a drop of petrol touched it it dissolved the lacquer.

Mackenzie

[chris22]

I had the same problem. Got hold of a 2 pack lacquer in a shake and mix aerosol can called "Pro XL 2K Clearcoat".
You are meant to use special breathing apparatus when using this but it is the only lacquer that I have found to be petrol proof. Build up your lacquer coats with standard lacquer, allow to dry then seal with the 2K lacquer.
I got mine from Paint and Equipment Specialists, Enfield. Paint + P&P about £20.