Modern Vespa

Just got my first Vespa based of the advice on here love it

I'll try and add photos later, but I have some rust on the exhaust. Is there anything I should put on this to protect it or just leave it.
I also have a tiny bit of bubbling on the belt case and on the seal behind the front mudguard.

Should I worry or not? Thanks everyone [/img]

Exhaust, belt case and seal

Congratulations! What year is it?

Not sure about the other stuff, but the exhaust needs to come off and get painted ASAP. Wire brush the rust, prime and coat with a high-temp paint and reinstall. With luck you. Can reuse the graphite bushing, but it's advisable to have a spare anyway as it's a wear item.

Bit of a messy job, but pretty easy overall.

In Germany there is (or was) a paste to blacken the cooking plates of old electric stoves and stovepipes. The stuff was available from various brands and was known as "Ofenwichse", 'Ofenschwärze' or "Herdschwarz". The best-known brand was "Elektro Puzzi", unfortunately no longer on the market. But you can still buy these products online and in the one or other DIY store. The stuff can easily be applied to a mounted exhaust with an old cloth (use gloves), but the rust should be removed first. After application, it burns in accordingly. I have no idea if you can get something like this and what it is called in English.

This works decently for recoating an exhaust:

https://www.vhtpaint.com/product/vht-flameproof-coating-high-heat-coating/

"Stove Blacking" is the English term - but haven't heard that in a long while! Still available in hardware stores both in the US and the UK.

However, it doesn't do much except make the exhaust look better - a decent "one coat" VHT paint is required, as used on BBQs etc. You need one that'll cope with 650°C (~1200°F) as the catalytic converter inside the exhaust gets Very Very Hot. I always used Rustoleum in the UK, where is pretty mandatory to re-coat the exhaust every year to keep it going as long as possible. Bloody salted roads.

No salt on the roads in California, and neither the 2005 LX or the 2010 GTS show any signs of rust at all!

Congratulations for your Vespa ,enjoy and ride!

Thanks, I'll get on that, it's 2017

Thanks, I'll have a look

Thank you, I'll get some now

Hi, congrats & welcome

Because no one here has said anything about the other spots yet:

I would definitely take a closer look at the spot on the bead behind the front wheel. That's where I see the greatest need for action. To be on the safe side, also look in the battery compartment under the battery and the plastic tray.

My 2 cents.

Exhaust: have tried many high temp paints over the years and the VHT paint is probably best on the market. Stock exhausts tend to go pretty cheap on ebay, maybe watch for a deal.

Case cover: you have corrosion under the powdercoat, Could sand and repaint, might be easier to have it blasted and re powdercoated or ebay for a used one.

Body: looks like just bubbles for now, could probably ignore it for a while, to do it right will be a major job.

Hello, is there anything I can do from the outside to prolong the life of that bit? Thanks

Thank you

What does it look like inside (battery compartment under the plastic insert)? Have you had a look?

You can clearly see rust under the paint in the photo. As always: remove rust, prime, paint. How time-consuming this is depends on how large the area is and how perfect you want the paintwork to be. The bead with the body seam is not easy.

I'm not an expert on paint work, so I hope you'll get a tip or two here.
Or ask one or two painters about the costs, you'll get an impression and maybe a tip if you want to do it yourself.

I work for a Plumbing and Heating Merchant and we sell the below Coal Paint Spray

https://www.regin.co.uk/Catalogue/Stove-Products/Stove-Paint/Back-to-Black-Coal-Paint-200ml-Z65

I'm not recommending the OP uses it but it's an option.

^^^^ That looks to be a best solution I've yet seen!

Congratulations. Get excited!!
This group really strives to help and share knowledge!
I've learned alot and try to return what I've learned as well!