Tips sought for finishing the Cover, Dynamo

[Lobo]

Freshly polished, but now the black background to go in (behind the HONDA letterings). Any tips wrt best paint type and getting a good / crisp result pls?

Next up, these polished engine covers - what is the best / most durable lacquer?

Ta.
Simon.

[Nurse Julie]

We don't lacquer after polishing Simon. Just a wipe over once a year with Solvol and they stay looking great.

[Sesman]

Black infill.

Acetone and toothbrush. Use  BMW black touch up pen (I use the ones from the Range). Just use the applicator using the ‘dot and dab’ technique. The paint will run and self level.

[MrDavo]

I find laquer is all fine and dandy when it's brand new, once you get stone chips etc it starts to fester and craze under the laquer, just like new bikes did did back in the day. So no, I don't bother, but keep on top of it if it starts to go spotty, don't put the bike away without washing it if it gets wet, especially if the dreaded road salt is around.

I roughly mask around the area where the black needs to go, and spray it all with Simonize satin black. I let it partially dry, then carefully wipe off the letters and edges with a cloth damp with thinners or brake cleaner. here's my CL450 cover, though I had to repolish it before I was happy.

[heli_madken]

Rough mask and paint as suggested with Simoniz or other engine paint. Allow to dry fully. Use a small wood block with 1200 grit wet and dry with soapy water to remove all the paint from the top surface then polish carefully using solvol and a cloth backed up with the same wood block or if you have one a polishing machine and buffing wheels. You will not remove the dried paint in the recessed areas if you are careful

[Sesman]

I use the dot n dab method. Seems to work fine and avoids the masking and rubbing effort. You do need a fairly steady hand. I find the automotive touch up paints more durable than the acrylic type.

Just my opinion, but at least you now have choices.

The photos show a before and after treatment and before a final finessing.

[Lobo]

Thanks all; knew the forum would have an answer!

Being the lazy type (ie leaving the casing on the bike), and not wishing to ‘unbalance’ the polished finish vs neighbouring casings, I went the spray + wipe clean (whilst wet) route - with a great result. Used the flat of a wooden lolly stick wrapped in a single layer of thinners damp cloth - and presto. Got 3 coats on…

Many thanks - oh and to you too Julie… another lazy win!
Yahoo!