Modern Vespa

Hi all

I am going to start the paint process of the restoration of my GFs ET4 soon, and would like some advice on painting etc.

The bike is currently blue and is going to be repainted Rosso Corsa red.

I have read numerous guides on painting etc on the internet and they all seem to offer different advise.

So far I have built up this information:

Sand down panels with paint on them (no idea what grit)

Etch primer for metal, plastic primer for plastic.

Lots of small coats of paint at once.

I will be using 1K akryclic paint and 1k acrylic lacquer, will this need to be sanded in between coats? Do I need to sand down to metal before applying primer!

So much information! Any help would be much appreciated!

This is from the Naked Goldwings site, good information here:
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=40323&

They are talking about using paint cans, but you will get better results with a sprayer setup (if you have one)...

Great many thanks, I do have a HVLP spray machine so should improve things somewhat. Many thanks.

I'm not a professional but I have panted about a dozen vehibles including 5 scooters.

Not sure where to start. What kind of shape is the scooter in? Does it have any dents that will have to be filled?

Go to an automotive paint store and get about four red Scotch Brite pads. Don't get them from a hardware store or Wal Mart. If you can't find that 400 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper will work but will take longer. You will also need surface cleaner and/or wax remover.

First clean the surface. If the existing paint is in good shape you can put your new paint directly over it after scuffing. You will need to prime any bare spots. Scuff the paint until you can see no more gloss. When you are done priming, cleaning and scuffing clean again. Then mask the parts you don't want painted. Wipe with a tack rag and you are ready to paimt.

Its mainly dismantled at the moment, 99% there, just needs the forks removing.

the body is in OK condition, i may need to sand back some dents etc and fill then in.

In that situation, I will sand down down the paint, what Grit should I use that? I have an orbital sander etc to key the paintwork initially and get rid of any cracked paint underneath.

The prime with an Etch primer I assume?

Final sand with P1200 grit wet and dry. Use it wet with a drop of detergent in the water.

Orbital sander is good. Use it on the areas that you can with 220. Then get in the areas that it won't reach with the Scotch Brite. If you are filling dents spread out the Bondo and remove most of it with 80 grit when you get close use 180 and finally 220. Etching primer is good but if it's a small area and it hasn't been exposed to the air for more than a few hours I would just use aerosol primer from the hardware store. Good luck.