Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: neat street on May 17, 2026, 08:36:31 AM
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Hi All, an unusual question for you all... would you put the decals on a 500 tank then mask off the decal and paint each of the two colours (top and bottom of the decal) or would you try and paint the top and bottom paint line then add the decal before laquare??
many thanks for your ideas.
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Add before final lacquering, if aftermarket stick on decals you also need to make sure they won't react and bubble up after the final lacquer coating.
Good Luck
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Thanks skoti, my main question is more about placing the decal on the primmer coat and mask off for the black and then the Jade green, or try and find the right line, mask of for the black and green then add the decals.
appreciate you comming back to me :-)
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You guys are mentioning lacquer.... don't you mean clearcoat? I would paint the tank first, then clearcoat. Let dry for a few days, then sand your clear with 1000 grit. Apply decals, then two coats of clear over the whole thing.....
Edit add - Lacquer thinners are harsh, may react with base layers.... I use Duplicolor 1K clear right over the paint, right after painting, but I use Duplicolor paints also. There are 2K clears (harsher) which have a hardener you mix in and spray with a gun... best let your base layers dry and cure out the solvents for a few days (a week). Then of course, sanding and your last two coats of clear.
Note, I am not a professional painter, just watched many videos and learned the hard way... still learning.
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You guys are mentioning lacquer.... don't you mean clearcoat? I would paint the tank first, then clearcoat. Let dry, then sand your clear with 1000 grit. Apply decals, then two coats of clear over the whole thing.
Apologies,
indeed I meant clearcoat, and I also concur with your suggestion.
ATB
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Added a note to my post above.
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if I am understanding your question correctly the problem is the black panel on the side where it joins the other colour with the pinstripe? I would think you would do colour first, then mask for the black panels and paint the black, this might leave a ridge so flat and then clear coat. then apply stripe, and clear again. as mentioned leave each stage to dry for a few days inbetween. My tank was easier as all black! Menno is the man to ask for sure.
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Thank you all again, I guess I am old school and I always called clear coat laquare, great input guys and thank you for your suggestions.
have a great week