Can I paint an entire motorcycle with an airbrush?

[New Belgium]

I have an 05 Road King that I am looking to paint. I can't afford to have HD paint if for me, nor do I want them to. My hobby is DIY. I'm looking to go with PPG or Sherwin-Williams paint in black, no problem there, just depends what is in stock at the local body shop/supply company. My question is, should I buy guns and rent a booth for $25/hr or purchase an airbrush and compressor (that I get to keep) and paint the bike in my project room? I've seen some airbrushing videos that make it seem like a motorcycle would be doable but I've never tried. If I rent the booth I'll have to move my tins to an unsterile area (similar to a public storage) to dry. I would also have to rent the storage area for the day/night and wouldn't be able to monitor temp etc., so that keeps me leaning back to the airbrush method in the comfort of my home. Plus, if I do it at home I'll have as much time as I need to do any taping if I decided I want to add some flames or something. I'm not doing this for a customer nor am I doing it as a career, yet. I just want a decent product that will hold up for 3-5 years.

 

[TAZ]

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like you aren't really doing this to save money, as you'll easily end up spending more on materials, a gun, spray booth rental and storage rental versus if you had a paint shop do them for you.

Figure about $150-$200 for an el cheapo gun, $75 spray booth rental. Probably $75 for storage rental.
Figure about $100 for a quart of black
$50 for a quart of clear (this is assuming you are just doing the 5 pieces. If you have bags, you'll need more)
$50 for a gallon of reducer
$60 hardener
$15 for a gallon of thinner (clean your guns)
$30 sealer (optional. I always put sealer on everything)
buff pads, buffing compound, polish, buffer (can rent), wetsand paper $110+ the buffer rental and pad.
The above doesn't include any 'prep materials', primer, sandpaper, masking tape.

You could have $700 in this (plus a buffer and pad rental).
More if you have hardbags and lids (9 pieces total).

Plus you know you aren't going to get a quality job. BUT if you absolutely feel that you need to do it yourself, and you aren't worried about getting a top shelf job, it's your money.
I wouldn't do this thinking that you will be saving money doing it yourself.
I normally get $450-$550 to paint set set of R-K Custom tins black, inc wetsand and buffing.

Maybe if you rented a gun (I rent my booth out, but I have an optional IWATA OR SATA spray gun rental) This will help save money.
Also, if you just went with cheap single stage black, this will also help, but it's definitely not the greatest paint to put on your Harley.
Not for sure what you had in mind on how to transfer the wet parts from the booth to where you plan on storing them. Be very careful with this, and be sure and have your car or truck windows wide open :drunk:

I wouldn't suggest airbrushing set of tins for a Harley. You should spray them with an actual spray gun.

Also, Harley doesn't paint your bike. They sublet it out to a local painter.

 

[New Belgium]

TAZ, thanks for your response. I live in Hawaii, so anything custom costs quite a bit more than in the mainland. I've talked with my friends and some have had good experiences but there are also quite a few horror stories about some of the local shops. Another factor for me wanting to do this is I like to be able to say, "Hey, I did that!"

If I rent the booth, the storage unit is just a few hundred feet away. They are a little rusted out, not air tight, and obiously a little dirty but should keep most of the bugs out and the rain off.

The guns that I was going to rent were ruined by another patron and lack of proper cleaning. The guy said he won't rent them out because there is no way to get a good spray and doesn't want someone to claim the equipment ruined the paint job.

Why wouldn't you suggest an airbrush for painting? Would it be sloppy, poor coverage, or just too time consuming?

Thanks again :cheers:

 

[TAZ]

I had wondered about that (costs in HA versus the mainland)
I sold my 2005 Big Bear Chopper Devils Advocate to a guy in HA back in 2007. $32K. Sure couldn't get that today :haha:

I wouldn't spray with an airbrush since the pattern is so small. You'll get better results with a jam gun or even better results with a bigger pro type gun.
Check out Devilbiss Starting line guns. They get good reviews on this forum.

I don't think you can 'ruin' a gun. They do get worn out, but if someone leaves paint or clear in it, they do have some spray gun cleaners that will clean out the insides of any type spray gun....

Good luck to you...any more questions...just ask