question about types of paint

[joeyyyyyy08]

ok so i'm thinking of doing a at home custom paint job on my 08 sxr and i have a few questions.

#1. What do i need to do to prep it. should i leave the gel coat or sand it off?

#2. What is the best clear to use? i want a hard finish but shinny!

#3. I don't have the fancy equipment so i'm limited to just store bought supplies. so can spray cans work? What brands are good?

#4. Pictures of prep work and finishing would be great to!

#5. Lastly tips would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks everyone!

 

[tnj4life]

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/29884&highlight=painting

Heres some info, theres alot more to find too when searched for. I like base coat clear coat cause of the finish. Alot of trial and error when learning. If you dont wanna have mistakes or mess with it you might wanna take it somewhere and have it painted. You can get by with a cheap gun from harbor freight, alot of guys on here use them. I would stay away from spray paint unless you need something quick and dont care what it looks like.

 

[Motorheads5]

Dude this topic is VAST honestly do not attempt it ! Get a heat gun and remove all the factory graphics then get a sticker graphics kit you will be so happy but you dont want to phuck up a sweet SXR on the learning curve. Body work is way more technical than just grabbing a sander and roughing it up especially on fiberglass.that's my opinion

 

[joeyyyyyy08]

Dude this topic is VAST honestly do not attempt it ! Get a heat gun and remove all the factory graphics then get a sticker graphics kit you will be so happy but you dont want to phuck up a sweet SXR on the learning curve. Body work is way more technical than just grabbing a sander and roughing it up especially on fiberglass.that's my opinion

understandable but i enjoy doing custom art/ designing work so is there a place that will make me something completely custom with my own design?

 

[tnj4life]

Heres a pic of my fx1. It was in dire need of paint. This was my first serious attempt to paint. The biggest problem I run into was with the clear. Too light and you dry spray, too much and it runs or sags. I did have to cut some runs out but it looks nice for a jetski im going to beat on, looks better than it did too. The base coat was a breeze. This is not the best pic, you cant see the shine too well. Its gonna get wrapped in bstock soon.

 

[Motorheads5]

understandable but i enjoy doing custom art/ designing work so is there a place that will make me something completely custom with my own design?

Yes go to a vinyl sign company and set down with there graphic's guy and you can do anything you want in vinyl I just hate to see you go through the frustration's of learning how to paint on an already nice ski learn on something more abused first lol