paint compatabilty

[nailpounder]

Hi all,
Just a couple of simple questions. I am getting ready to paint my 2000 Harley FXST, and I'm wondering about the factory paint. The tank is Diamond ice and the front and rear fenders are new and in primer. I want to paint these in a 2 tone base coat / clear coat. What if any compatability problems am I facing? What should I do to prep? I don't know what type of primer or paint is used from the factory.

 

[rex]

Shouldn't have any probs at all.Any chips or deep scratches need fixin?Dewax the tank real good,the fenders too but they should be pretty clean.What kind of paint are you planning to use?

Sorry,bad manners-Welcome

 

[nailpounder]

Thanks for the reply Rex...

I plan to use either DuPont or PPG products. It's been 12 to 15 years since I have painted anything. From what I am seeing the products have changed quite a bit.

I used to paint all of my bikes with acrylic lacquer for base and color; add flames or graphics, and clear coat the job with Imron.

I'm told by some that my spray guns are obsolete. Binks' Model & and Model 62.

Any suggestions as to what paint to use would be appreciated.

 

[rex]

Yeah,they've changed alot in the last 10 years or so.I'm a PPG man and know it but DuPont isn't bad stuff (I can't believe I said that

).The basecoat is similar to spraying lacquer and the clear is like the old Imron clear but the newer hi solid clears will solvent pop if poured on like we used to spray.Forget the #7 unless you want to spend a few bucks on choking it down with a new needle,fluid tip and aircap and I couldn't even say where to begin.It was hard to beat them or a DeVillbis MBC.I'm having a brain fart on the 62 but if it's the one I'm thinking of it'll work,you'll just have to play with it to get it adjusted.See if you can get some free or cheap basecoat mismixes from whoever you'll be getting your paint from and practice on some junk pieces.Once the basecoat is dialed in the clear probably won't be but a slight twist on this knob and and a little on those.If you use PPG I can tell you what to use and cheap alternatives.DuPont I can only help in the prep and basics.One thing you can do in spare time is search through old posts in the forums for stuff like adjusting the gun and characteristics of the newer paint.There's a search function or just read the thread names in the forums and check out one's you think you'll find the info.There's tons of info in back threads and some of it's a few replies down because the thread got off on a tangent or there were lots of questions asked at once.This is getting long,I'll quit now.