Information request re: Japlac

[xbruby]

Many times over the years I have heard of the mythical qualities of Japlac and I seem to remember someone (Smudge?) recently mention the aforementioned paint. Question is where does one procure this mythical substance? Come to that anyone recommend anything similar that might be as good or better for painting a frame?

Andy

[squirrelciv]

Got mine from B & Q. The solid colour (as opposed to the metallic ones) seem tougher, but both need time to fully cure. can get a very nice finish with a brush. After that I'd try coach paint, good stuff but harder to apply (so I'm told)

[xbruby]

As I am painting an area of the frame which is rusty what do you recomend in terms of primer?

Work will be undertaken over the winter so will have plenty of time to cure. Final thrash to Jodrell Bank tomorrow, oil and filter change then front and back end off for new suspenders and powder coating. Rust on frame is very small area and doesnt warrant a full strip down for powder coating.

Andy

[guest27]

Finnegans No1 as a primer - does for rust etc nicely, can then put a coat of hammerite smooth over the top - I think it has to be within 6 hours or after 6 weeks - something to do with the curing - though I have just used a nice thick couple of coats of No1 left it fro a couple of weeks, smoothed it back and then a number of coats of japlac.  If the frame part cannot be see I would just go for No1 and hammerite smooth - tough as old boots and black.  If you want a really deep go swimming in it finish than Japlac rubbing down between coats is good.

Total animal approach is just Hammerite... Had a lovely Gold hammerite DT125 once - the pipe smelt so good as it burnt off and went this interesting green colour...

R

[trophydave]

One of my jobs for the winter is to Japlac the fork sliders on the VFR.If I get it done,unlike last winter,I shall report back with the results.

[bullet350]

it might just be my incompetence with a paint brush, but everytime i've used japlac it seems to end up quite 'fragile'. if i knock it, it chips really badly.

spray on hammerite seems thinner and a bit less brutal than the brush on stuff.

 bullet350

[guest27]

In the dim and distant past I had a helmet that I japlac'd - it bounced up the road more than once as I remember with not too much damage - Following instructions from a man who knew I had done a number of thin coats rubbing back between - I understand this produces a harder finish where as a thicker coat or two produces quick coverage but is softer.  My understanding so may be wrong and I may have been lucky.

R

[OMEGAMAN]

In the dim and distant past I had a helmet that I japlac'd - it bounced up the road more than once as I remember with not too much damage - Following instructions from a man who knew I had done a number of thin coats rubbing back between - I understand this produces a harder finish where as a thicker coat or two produces quick coverage but is softer.  My understanding so may be wrong and I may have been lucky.

R

I think you were meant to paint it on the outside?     

[guest27]

Ahh so dipping my head in the pot ans then putting the helmet on was not the right idea?

R

[OMEGAMAN]

Keeps those grey hairs away!

[guest27]

But what about the red, blue and yellow ones?

R

[OMEGAMAN]

If it was the dim & distant past, it should have all been in black & white?

[xbruby]

Thanks for all the Japlac and related info guys. One final question re: the final elements of this thread. Is Japlac a suitable alternative to Brylcream then? A more permenant solution perhaps?

Andy

[guest27]

Does not fade so well and you can keep that Brylcream look - if not bounce - whilst riding helmetless (on private land of course)

R

[trophydave]

Well my first experience with Japlac hasn't gone too well.After much rubbing down of forks,de-greasing,priming,flatting,more priming on went the Japlac.I could well be me using my favorite old paintbrush but I have terrible brush marks in it.On the positive side the colour is a pretty good match for the original and it has a nice shine to it,suggesting that if I can make a better job of putting it on I could get a better finish.I shall wait for the weather to warm up a bit and I may even lash out on a new brush.