GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => General Technical discussion => Topic started by: urbanus on Saturday, 24 December 2022, 05:34 AM

Title: Painting
Post by: urbanus on Saturday, 24 December 2022, 05:34 AM
I know I can look at stuff on YouTube etc. but thought to actually ask on here first and get some proper advise.

My 1400 has the boring dark blue finish.  Its the only thing I don't like about it.  I would like to add a second colour, white being the obvious one, and some other highlights to try and make it stand out a bit more - along the lines of the standard Suzuki paint schemes that I see on other members bikes. 

Has anybody done this and if so, can they give me some pointers?  On the one hand, the paint is in A1 condition so I don't want to make a ham fisted job and turn it into a bodge job so I am torn between doing something and leaving well alone but....on the other hand its bloody booooooring!

All advise, even if its "leave it alone" gratefully received (I will probably ignore the "leave it alone" though because its so booooring!)
Title: Re: Painting
Post by: urbanus on Saturday, 24 December 2022, 05:35 AM
I forgot, anyone wrapped a bike?  this also looks interesting.
Title: Re: Painting
Post by: Nic on Saturday, 24 December 2022, 10:47 AM
I've done lots of spray painting over the journey. I can only say this, if you know what you're doing then you just do it. If you don't, I don't see how a do this or do that is enough info to get it done right.
Sorry and I don't mean to be a smartarse, but to do multi colours, oh FFS, do you have any experience at all, I spose this should be the first question.
Title: Re: Painting
Post by: gsxbarmy on Saturday, 24 December 2022, 04:18 PM
The paint schemes on the tanks are purely transfers which are then lacquered over, which may be one option. Others who have single colour machines have often utilised the K2 paint scheme to add some colour to their machines.
Title: Re: Painting
Post by: grog on Saturday, 24 December 2022, 04:36 PM
Ubanus, i actually like the solid colour bikes. Maybe a pinstipe or similar if it bothers you. Id leave the paint alone. Tank pad on top? I wrapped front guard, had stone chips. Looks good to me.
Title: Re: Painting
Post by: urbanus on Saturday, 24 December 2022, 10:33 PM
Quote from: Nic on Saturday, 24 December  2022, 10:47 AM
I've done lots of spray painting over the journey. I can only say this, if you know what you're doing then you just do it. If you don't, I don't see how a do this or do that is enough info to get it done right.
Sorry and I don't mean to be a smartarse, but to do multi colours, oh FFS, do you have any experience at all, I spose this should be the first question.
No worries Nic, I don't mind smartarses personally, I'm often one myself :rofl2: Sometimes I omit the "smart" bit and go straight to being an arse according to my wife. 

I was okay at getting a decent coat of paint on various bikes I repaired, rejuvenated over the years however in all cases, I started from base metal and this would be the first time I tried to lay another colour on an existing finish and I was concerned about how to do this over a factory prepped tank.  As GSXBARMY pointed out, I thought the various finishes I have seen were vinyls lacquered over but thought the Suzuki finish I had seen was a base white, topped with a blue secondary and then some vinyls followed by lacquer.

Grog's wrap is interesting and I think I might give this a go as its not stupidly expensive, is something within my skill set and of course, can be taken off if I don't like it.
Title: Re: Painting
Post by: Nic on Sunday, 25 December 2022, 08:56 AM
Can you post a pic of the tank?