Modern Vespa

I have this crappy GS150 and some panels and a mudguard. It should really be the original silver colour which means I need to strip it and filler some holes, sand some bits and take it to a paint shop. Any motivation from this forum welcome and does anybody know a modern paint code that I can give to the local auto paint shop.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Here's some motivation! I'll br watching this eagerly to see progress.

Paint codes? As your doing a full spray, why not choose a silver from a modern vehicle you like and apply that instead? Or is factory finish what you are aiming at?


Personally I'm quite keen on Piaggio Platino 686. It was the silver of the vespa I bought in 2002

I used this paint on my VB1 frame. Brought a cowl and head set in and they came up with this paint as a match. It's far from perfect, but so are my body and paint skills. I like the color and I was happy with the way the paint sprayed.

Thanks. I like that colour. Not sure if I should be doing the paint myself with rattle cans or get the local paint shop to do it.

Stripped it this morning (mostly)

Anything worn doing is worth doing right- especially for a GS150. Have the bodywork repaired & painted professionally.

I wouldn't do rattlecan if you are painting the whole thing. Modern 2k automotive paints are much better and way more durable.

Hey Declan,

I have just done a bit of research. The paint code Jaguar MDZ looks like a good choice. Have you painted the whole bike with it? If so how many cans and what quantity did you use? Also did you use a clear lacquer on top?

Thanks!

I only painted the frame. I had to weld in a new floor and I was stripping the leg shield and rear of the frame on a warm day and the stripper ate down to bare metal really fast. I had done everything else inside with more controlled temperatures.

I probably used 4-6 cans of paint. I used good quality primer as well. I used single stage without a clearcoat. If I was doing it again I probably would have used a clearcoat over the top. I am just going to keep it waxed up. Already had some gas drip on the paint and things held up nicely.

The SEM spray cans spray really nice, it is really hard to have runs. They spray better than a lot of cheap paint guns. Clean-up is easier. My compressor really isn't big enough to run a sprayer. If I was painting a lot I would invest in equipment, but it's something I try to avoid.

To be clear, if I had a GS150 that nice I would have it professionally painted if I could afford it.

That being said professional paint/body work is expensive. Its your bike, rattle cans aren't going to do any damage that can't be un done someday.

Thanks,

I'm sure the SEM brand is good but I'm in the UK so would have to find local alternatives. Most paint suppliers offer the Jaguar colour - is it a close match to the original Vespa 15005 silver?.

I think I'm leaning towards the professional option and have a couple of places I can get quotes from. I'm keen to keep the cost in proportion though.

Thanks all for the pointers and will let you know how it goes.


Charlie

Any progress on this project? Eager eyes are waiting for updates 😀

Oh GS and rattle cans?

It's only paint. Single stage mixed in activated spray cans is expensive but nice if you don't have the equipment.

Whqt does it look like after the paint has been stripped off?

No progress as yet. Been getting quotes - extremely expensive ones from three paint specialists. In terms of budget I don't think it is worth it. Not looking for a concours restoration, more a useable silver GS150 showing its respectable age. The body is rust free but has some wrinkles.

Still leaning towards rattle cans but need time. Pissing about with multiple Vespas at the moment and the other ones are eating my time more than this one.

Update soon.