Getting a Motorcycle Painted

[RhadamYgg]

Hey Everyone,
I'm curious as to how much it costs to get a motorcycle painted - single color, but fluorescent yellow - to match my Jacket. It is a 2007 Ninja 250.

Of course, since I just bought the bike I don't exactly have any funds my wife would release to pay for it.... So, oh well....
But information is always good.

Oh, and who would do the motorcycle painting - would I take it to Maaco or look around for someone that does motorcycle specific painting???

Or do I get out the old masking tape, spray cans and some kind of clear automobile coat to go over the top? Or would all that just flake off in a couple months.

RhadamYgg

[NewGuy]

Well to get it done right by paying a pro to do it will be VERY expensive.

To do it on your own is possible, but it won't be cheap. Ideally you would need to strip all the paint off, prime it, put on a few coats of color, and a few coats of clear. That sounds simple enough, but stripping the old paint is no easy task, and there is additional work required including sanding and buffing to get it right.

You could use "rattle cans" as long as the primer, color, and clear are all compatible, but it still won't be cheap, or easy, and it's tough to get it to look right. Ideally you would have HVLP spray guns, a large air compressor, and a few other essential items, to get it done right. Also keep in mind that top quality automotive paints (like House of Kolor) are very expensive.

If you're brave enough to try the "rattle can" methods you may want to read these articles:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/harley_paintin.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/painting_FL.htm

Keep in mind they completely skip over the prep work in those articles, and proper prep is 80% of getting a good paint job.

Good luck.

[Skier]

It'd be cheaper to buy a new jacket that matches your bike's colors or wheel out a large supply of "don't give a rat's posterior" about color coordination.

[storysunfolding]

I had a friend paint one of my bikes at cost for $250 but I used some expensive colors. I've heard of people paying anywhere from 500-2000 depending on the paint job.

[oxbow1]

wait on paint,you just got your license and the bike,so there is a chance it could hit the pavement during PLP.
besides,Brack had it for less than ayear before he outgrew it,the same thing will probably happen to you.

I've come to realize that 1st bikes are like 1st girlfriends,they are for practice and you will get a new one

[RhadamYgg]

Well to get it done right by paying a pro to do it will be VERY expensive.

To do it on your own is possible, but it won't be cheap. Ideally you would need to strip all the paint off, prime it, put on a few coats of color, and a few coats of clear. That sounds simple enough, but stripping the old paint is no easy task, and there is additional work required including sanding and buffing to get it right.

You could use "rattle cans" as long as the primer, color, and clear are all compatible, but it still won't be cheap, or easy, and it's tough to get it to look right. Ideally you would have HVLP spray guns, a large air compressor, and a few other essential items, to get it done right. Also keep in mind that top quality automotive paints (like House of Kolor) are very expensive.

If you're brave enough to try the "rattle can" methods you may want to read these articles:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/harley_paintin.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/painting_FL.htm

Keep in mind they completely skip over the prep work in those articles, and proper prep is 80% of getting a good paint job.

Good luck.

Holy Schnickies!

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

It'd be cheaper to buy a new jacket that matches your bike's colors or wheel out a large supply of "don't give a rat's posterior" about color coordination.

Hehe, I was just hoping to be the 'brightest' thing on the road so that at least if the car drivers say they couldn't see me - the police would look at them funny.

My jacket is super bright - enough that it almost hurts.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

wait on paint,you just got your license and the bike,so there is a chance it could hit the pavement during PLP.
besides,Brack had it for less than ayear before he outgrew it,the same thing will probably happen to you.

I've come to realize that 1st bikes are like 1st girlfriends,they are for practice and you will get a new one

Very good points. I'm really hoping not to drop it, though.

I'm kinda geeky, so I actually do want something that gets incredible mileage - at least compared to most cars. So, I (at the moment) want to keep it small.

Who knows, maybe there is macho in me to want a bigger bike, or the wind will toss me around too much on the highway...

RhadamYgg

[jstark47]

Might be cheaper to go for a few other visibility aids - 1) bright helmet to match the jacket - the helmet is the tallest part of you, it's amazing how much that helps, 2) motolights for the bike, 3) LED brake lights & turn signals. For night riding, make sure you have some reflective tape strips on your gear.

[Kibagari]

wait on paint,you just got your license and the bike,so there is a chance it could hit the pavement during PLP.
besides,Brack had it for less than ayear before he outgrew it,the same thing will probably happen to you.

I've come to realize that 1st bikes are like 1st girlfriends,they are for practice and you will get a new one

Very good points. I'm really hoping not to drop it, though.

I'm kinda geeky, so I actually do want something that gets incredible mileage - at least compared to most cars. So, I (at the moment) want to keep it small.

Who knows, maybe there is macho in me to want a bigger bike, or the wind will toss me around too much on the highway...

RhadamYgg

Compared to most cars, a Harley gets amazingly outstanding mileage. Even my bike, a '76 CB360 gets around 50-55. Most vehicles on the road are lucky to be pushing 20. Remember that SUVs are still the most common, and they get horrible mileage. A Toyota Corolla, even when running PERFECTLY, still only gets about 30.

You want outstanding mileage? Look up diesel motorcycles. As I know of there's only one company (that makes them for the US military), and due to increased demand, they have delayed the production of their commercial brand.

Now, run biofuel in your diesel motorcycle. Bingo. Not only do you get 100 mpg with a 5 gallon tank, you also emit nothing but french fries and chinese food.

I understand you want to be seen. But even the bright red that that Ninja is will be seen to amazing extents. Why? Red is the ONE color that the human eye is naturally drawn to. You put a person on stage in theater. If you want them to be noticed, give them a red shirt.

And a red bike with an obnoxiously yellow rider on top? You'll be seen. No need for fancy LED-encrusted paint jobs. Frankly, if I saw someone whose LED-laden yellow bike and reflective yellow jacket blinded me, I'd try to hit them.

While I say that in jest, there are people on the road who more than likely do think that way. Being seen is good. Being able to get out of the way of the jerk that's trying to cram into your lane because they can't seen you at all even with all the gear in the world... even better.