Katana Owners Club U.K.

...anyone had it done? I have been looking at the colour charts on a couple of powder coaters sites, and not seen anything that looks remotely like the standard. Been umming and arrring about gold and silver and decided to go gold, but now cant seem to find a good one to go with.

Anyone ?

Pete

The only Gold you will find is either Suzuki paint or Nissan gold metallic which can be done in 2 pack and is better than powder coating anyway for frames.

Cheers Fossie. Why is it better?

Pete

Powders a bit cheaper and easier but thicker too, and it can have a slightly ripply effect, also it can hide cracks

Paint done well is a better finish, 2-pack is durable and tough too. much better chance of colour match for the gold, there should be someone local to you who does colour matching, but try and take a non faded sample with you, they can then match and mix the paint up including thinners so it can just be put in the gun and applied. You could get the frame blasted but i'd go with prepping it at home, rub it down and get any loose stuff off, fill anywhere that needs it, etch prime any bare metal then give it and the paint to a good painter. get your engine cases, calipers and wheels done at the same time too (although there's really 3 different golds on a popup i don't think it'll matter if it's all one shade )

Cheers for the advice. Mmmnnn? Am going to have another think about this. I know what your saying about getting it all done at the same time, but I am working on a budget as usual and dont think i can get it all done at once. Maybe go down the silver route then. I was thinking that if i went gold then i might as well do it original, but the extra that 2 pack will cost might not be an option for me.

How much extra are we talking about Mal?

I spose I could have a go at doing it myself ? get it blasted and then get some rattle cans?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AEROSOL-SPRAY ... 2c63bfa575" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pete

Find a friendly and helpfull paint/body shop Pete, they'll probably have enough colours laying around to mix something up for you, if you give them a sample to match, close will be good enough. The nissan paint isn't a perfect match but close and £34 a tin is alot. reckon you could get frame, cases, brakes and wheels done for a couple of hundred or less if you talk sweet. Powder coat for frame will be £80-100, then paint for the other parts on top, either way it'll probably work out similar.
Spray cans don't last long and you won't get as good a quality, if you needed 3 cans to do everything that could be more than half a pro job, not worth it imo.
Prep the stuff yourself and let them do the rest.
I understand the tight budget but while your saving you've got plenty of prep and cleaning of other bits to keep you busy, i think it's worth going that bit extra on this one over the 550

Cheers for the help Mal.

itching to get stuff back together

As usual i keep changing my bloody mind

Would like to use someone who is used to/likes doing bike stuff. As I feel they would do a better job of it.

Will sleep on it.

Pete

It would keep the costs down If you prepped the Frame yourself and all the painter had to do was paint it . Clean it all up, and slap a coat of undercoat on it.... Hand it to the painter.... IMO.

See what fancy colours do.....

Found a local guy(10 mins away) who is a biker and does a lot of bike stuff. He only does blasting but has recommended a painter nearby as well. Decided to go for paint as I wanted gold so might as well get a good match eh. Going to take the stuff to him tommoz. Cant afford the wheels/calipers yet, so will get them done another day. Just - frame/cases/top yoke/batt box/engine mounts/cam cover and all the other bits and bobs.

Pete

This is the blokes website: http://www.icmhome.org.uk/motorcycle_gallery.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Heard good things about him, didn't realise he was nearby.

You could probably manage the wheels and calipers yourself mate.