aprillia rs125 paint disaster

[Devon]

i just bought a aprilia 2000 rs 125 but its got a very unique paintjob, its been painted in apparent rossi replica stlye with your average house paint. how do you suggest that i get this paint off, its on the fairing, seat, mirror, swingarm and even the foot pegs.

[Muschi]

suggestion one:

as this paint is not heat resistant, use a gas station's high pressure cleaning device and put the heat knob to the max.

you may start at a point where the paint has been scratched off already, apply the pressurized heated water to a single

spot until the paint comes off and work from thereon.

suggestion two:

take a brush and a medium sized bucket of flat black paint.

drink two beer and finish the paint job in between.

[Devon]

i think i will try the first option you suggested sounds a good plan to me. nd less mess for me to clean up, everything is covered in that paint even the brake calipers

[billysbones]

i just bought a aprilia 2000 rs 125 but its got a very unique paintjob, its been painted in apparent rossi replica stlye with your average house paint. how do you suggest that i get this paint off, its on the fairing, seat, mirror, swingarm and even the foot pegs.

Christ.

I did a better job on my raleigh chopper (the original version of course) and I was only eight at the time.

[addiction269]

start sanding back and get spraying matt black! or buy a race fairing...from experience it worked out alot cheaper

[Devon]

if i was going to sand it down what grade sandpaper would i use, but if i was going to get a race fairing any suggestions on where i can get one from

[The_Doctor]

that paint job just screams nicked to me...

reminds me of those scalies you see riding around on stolen BMX's which they have taken a spray can and sprayed the lot, wheels, tyres the lot

[Devon]

the bike is definitely legit I have had it checked out for all that. it was just a guy that was crazy with a pot of house paint and a paint brush

[Devon]

so what grade sandpaper should i use?

[addiction269]

yo've gotta get a few grades if your going down that route - have you tried brake cleaner to remove the housepaint - might strip it back enough to see whats undeneath. id still keep an eye out for fairings either on ebay or google it and see whats on offer.

[busterchow]

the bike is definitely legit I have had it checked out for all that. it was just a guy that was crazy with a pot of house paint and a paint brush

What did the V5 say?

Previous owner; Mr S Wonder

[Devon]

yeh i want to see how thick the paint is and if the fairing is worth saving or not. when you say a few grades do i start with a low number and then work upwards?

[dodgy_tom]

60 or 80 grit will remove it fast enough. mind you don't gouge too deep though, as you'll have to use finer stuff later to get a good surface to do your respray on. If you have an electrical D/A or orbital sander it will speed things up no end. Don't be tempted to use nitromors though, it will melt your bodywork...

[billysbones]

yeh i want to see how thick the paint is and if the fairing is worth saving or not. when you say a few grades do i start with a low number and then work upwards?

Yes. The number on sandpaper refers to the number of particles per square centimetre, i think, so the higher the number the finer the sandpaper.

I would start it something like 240 grit, just to see how it goes. If you start too coarse, then you may go straight through the paint and goose the plastic.

The trick with sanding anything down is patience. Don't be tempted to go too coarse just to make the job easier, otherwise you'll end up with a job comparible to the one you're trying to rectify.

[Devon]

i will have a look in halfords on the way home to have a look at what they offer. could i use a machine to sand it down on would that be a bit too much for the fairing to take?

[biker jay]

nitromors would be ok to use on the tank though wouldnt it?

[Devon]

nitromors?

[jon bda]

nitromors?

Paint stripper . If the paints that badly done, do you have access to a jetwash?, you might be able to blast it off...

[dodgy_tom]

nitromors would be ok to use on the tank though wouldnt it?

I think the tanks are plastic on these, so no.

[Devon]

so no chemicals just pure elbow grease then or machine.

[addiction269]

i still go by brake cleaner its harsh enough to remove a crap paint job but its never stripped too far back. sanding machines are good but as said before dont go to deep as you'll always be chasing the dragon. trying to sort one job and also making another.

[Devon]

i will try some brake cleaner on a small hidden area of the fairing to see how effective it is.

[dodgy_tom]

Or if you are going to go that way, then go find your local paint factors and buy a cheap 5litres of gunwash. In essence it's not pure thinners, and will remove paint like a good un. Simply use on a towel or kitchen roll. But go steady, as it can affect the plastic if you put huge amounts on.

[Devon]

is gunwash the brand name?

[dodgy_tom]

No, it's what the product is referred to as. The brand doesn't really matter, it's just cheap cellulose thinners, shouldn't be more than a tenner for 5litres, and makes a cracking degreaser too. Also flammable so good for starting fires (obvious statement).

[Devon]

ok then, i will take another trip to halfords and get some then

[dodgy_tom]

Halfords won't sell it. You'll have to go to a proper paint factors. Do a yell.com search for one near you.

[Devon]

would this be the gunwash? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TETROSYL-STANDARD-CE...A1%7C240%3A1318

[thefatman]

would this be the gunwash? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TETROSYL-STANDARD-CE...A1%7C240%3A1318

Thats the stuff, it'll only cost you £10 from a car paint shop though, not £25 like on ebay. Also if you'll feeling really flush a 25 litre drum only cost a few quid more, normally less than £15 for the drum.

[Devon]

will have to ring a few bodywork sprayers tommorow see what they will offer