Modern Vespa

A friend of mine recently bought a Maaco Auto body franchise.
He had trouble finding help. So I came out of retirement and I'm detailing vehicles for him 3 days a week 6 hours each day.

Well one of the benefits of working at a body shop, is cheap paint jobs. So MP3 finally painted.

Now the long wait. Waiting 30 to 45 days for the paint to completely cure before I screw them on.

Let me know what y'all think.

30 - 45 days!

For the paint to 100% cure and be at its hardest, that is 35 to 45 days.
Considering the panels are mounted with screws, you want the paint as hard as possible.
Plus the way the front panel is installed, is very aggressive on the paint. Even the original panel had scratches on it from being taken on and off. Not visible once installed, but it can promote peeling.

They might not make it that long I want to get them on. We'll see.

I wouldn't be that patient.

Currently doing some repainting on the Honda after last summers misadventure. Matching original paint is a challenge. The recipe I came home with went on as a royal blue pearl then flashed over with a matte violet as it dried. Will see how it looks tomorrow after I spray the clear coat.

More photos

I recognize those panniers and mirror caps. Those are for the 2nd gen Honda Pan European a.k.a STX1300A.

Just got my 2004 Pan1300 at the end of last year with 9K original miles on it and fully restored (suspension, brakes, fuel systems) and close to getting a 2nd one with less than 2K original miles on the clock. Essentially Honda museum pieces.

Makes the MP3 feel like a girlie scoot, or at least assembled by a bunch of girls.

Not to mention the Honda has about 3 times the power, 4 times the pistons, a near zero maintenance drivetrain system and yet manages to get better MPG from a heavier vehicle that was launched before the first MP3 ever rolled off the assembly line.

Yeah, I don't think anyone in the land of the rising sun is having nightmares from a "italian invasion" any time soon. Those boys know how to properly R&D and assemble a motorbike.

Horses for courses. Each has it's place in the stable. The MP3 is a comfortable local commuter. The "ST" has the legs to travel at a brisk pace over longer distances.

Not a good off-road vehicle though. Got a little over enthusiastic last summer while out in Ohio with a group of middle-aged hooligans and launched it in to a corn field. Whoopsie. 45 days I'll be back there again trying to redeem my honor.

Hence paint. My only worry now is that I may like the new paint better than the original and may have to do the rest of it.

Back to blue after the clear coat. Not a perfect match. Maybe the original clear coat has some milky color to it? Maybe just 20 years of UV damage.