Painting motorcycles

Diegojavbau

Air-Valve Autobot!
When you paint a motorcycle tank or fenders , did you ask the client that give to you just the pieces ?

How much time did take to paint it ? ( I think that the client must want it soon if he can't use the bike until its done )
 
I usually just have the parts, I don't have room, or want the responsibility of storing someones bike. It can make things a bit tricky if you are doing a design which goes across two panels, when the parts aren't on the bike though. You need to make sure you mark out where the seat lights etc go as that can affect the design, and also which way up parts go, which is not always as easy as you might think sometimes. Some sports bikes have all sorts of weird shaped panels, and you need to know how they sit, so that you can make sure you paint them the right way round/or make sure the design is horizontal /at the right angle. How long depends on the state of the parts, is it ready to paint? Does it need rubbing down? Are there any dents to fill? Does it need to be stripped back for any reason. Will you have to do the primer, undercoat and basecoat too? Prep can take a long time. Does the client already have a design? If they do you will probably still have to tweak it to get it to fit, if not, and you will be researching, and coming up with an original design, you need to factor that in. Sometimes I can come up with a design fairly quickly, but sometimes it might take a few days. Also it depends how complicated or detailed the design you're going to paint is. It could take a couple of hours, or a few weeks. Then if you are clear coating it, you have to allow time for that too. Sorry I can't give a better answer, but there's a lot of things to consider that can affect timescale.
 
I have had them take the parts off (i.e. emblems etc) if I have to do it, the price goes up. Also, my projects have always been out of season. So there is no set time limit on the project. Except for the moped I had last week, 4 days to strip, sand, bondo, paint, and clear. Like Squishy said, there is a lot to consider. When you take all that into consideration? Sometimes ya just say, um. nope lol!
 
Id get them to get the bits off if possible, if lights arnt working , or tank senders stop working that becomes your responsibility. Plus anyone whos into their bikes can usually take these bits off themselves . Not speaking from any experaince though ....
 
Yep. I get just the tins or plastics. No room to store it....plus. i can always hang and mock up to be close to original placing. And i dont want the resposability of holding o to their bike. It also gives them time to clean engine and frame. I ask for stripped, drained, and an idea of what they want.....also the direction of the front fender. Hahaha...i painted fire o a front fender backwards once.....hahaha only once...lesson learned. Plus if they scratch it putting it back together its on them,not me
 
I agree with all these, I like them removed for me also. Squishy hit all the points perfectly.
 
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