MBBO BAD INFLUENCE!

Pondo · Tuesday at 4:58 PM

In the middle of all that, UPS showed up with an interesting package.

Yes!! My custom made sissy bar is here, undamaged and gorgeous

Pondo · Tuesday at 5:03 PM

Here’s a short video the fabricator sent me.

If you need a custom sissy bar for your bike, and who doesn’t, look up Mark Stephens at Bucksnort Garage. His work is first class all the way, very high quality.

Pondo · Tuesday at 5:05 PM

I had to do a quick and shabby mock-up to see what it’s going to look like

68z27 · Tuesday at 5:20 PM

Pondo said:
Light coats it is. I'm hoping to get this painted next week.

I don't want to sound like one of those kinds of people (internet safety trolls), but when I sprayed with Metalspecks, there was an awful lot of flake that was not embedded into the paint and was floating away beautifully sparkling in the sunlite. Some safety activities I'll push (like welding in flip flops) but in this case I instantly went and got a dust mask because when they finally conduct an autopsy on me, I don't want to give the Medical Examiner a glitter show.

Just a thought........

Pondo · Tuesday at 5:26 PM

68z27 said:
I don't want to sound like one of those kinds of people (internet safety trolls), but when I sprayed with Metalspecks, there was an awful lot of flake that was not embedded into the paint and was floating away beautifully sparkling in the sunlite. Some safety activities I'll push (like welding in flip flops) but in this case I instantly went and got a dust mask because when they finally conduct an autopsy on me, I don't want to give the Medical Examiner a glitter show.

Just a thought........

I’ll be wearing a respirator. I don’t need too much more gunk in my lungs.

OddJob · Wednesday at 5:17 AM

Hey @Pondo, a couple of things I found out about Metalcast paint when I used it. Basically, it is very thin, and translucent. The shininess of it comes from what is underneath the paint. My RaTs GaSs build (that I pictured above) was done on a frame, fenders, chainguard, that were entirely chrome from the start. So the parts were very shiny and came through well, making the paint glisten.

Also, because it is so thin, it runs easily and makes it hard to stick to the surface. I used a Adhesive Promoter on top of my base (in my case the chromed parts) to help it to stick and stay put during the application. And that was like Capt said, probably 3 light applications of each of the red and yellow, except where they blended together in the middle, that was just 1 of the red (covers more easily) and 2 of the yellow; first yellow, then red, then a yellow over the top of that. I had purchased an orange color, to use in the middle of the fade, but the can failed right from the get-go, so I never got to use it once I started on the actual bike.

I had a chrome fender that I could practice on to try and get the coats and the fade right before I went to the bike.

Here is my build thread, if you want to use it for reference. https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/rats-gass-great-year-all-pg-26.110959/

Pondo · Wednesday at 8:24 AM

OddJob said:
Hey @Pondo, a couple of things I found out about Metalcast paint when I used it. Basically, it is very thin, and translucent. The shininess of it comes from what is underneath the paint. My RaTs GaSs build (that I pictured above) was done on a frame, fenders, chainguard, that were entirely chrome from the start. So the parts were very shiny and came through well, making the paint glisten.

Also, because it is so thin, it runs easily and makes it hard to stick to the surface. I used a Adhesive Promoter on top of my base (in my case the chromed parts) to help it to stick and stay put during the application. And that was like Capt said, probably 3 light applications of each of the red and yellow, except where they blended together in the middle, that was just 1 of the red (covers more easily) and 2 of the yellow; first yellow, then red, then a yellow over the top of that. I had purchased an orange color, to use in the middle of the fade, but the can failed right from the get-go, so I never got to use it once I started on the actual bike.

I had a chrome fender that I could practice on to try and get the coats and the fade right before I went to the bike.

Here is my build thread, if you want to use it for reference. https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/rats-gass-great-year-all-pg-26.110959/

Thanks OJ! I will check out your build thread, it's a very cool bike. I'm going to use the red over silver metallic base, and maybe a clear coat. I've seen a few videos where people have had some great results with it. I'll be testing it before I paint the bike, of course. I may even try it over the Metal Specks and see what that looks like.

OddJob · Wednesday at 1:50 PM

Especially because I don't have a muscle build in the MBBO, but mostly because you are giving the Duplicolor Metalcast a shot; count me as SUBSCRIBED!

Pondo · Wednesday at 3:33 PM

Prepping the frame for primer. The citrus stripper did ok overnight but there was still quite a bit left. I burned out some of the worst with the propane torch and am doing the rest by hand with 220 grit sand paper. Too much time, I need to look into getting a blaster for future projects.

Pondo · Wednesday at 8:01 PM

Hours of sanding later… The frame, forks and chain guard are in etch primer. The fender needs a couple of holes welded up then sanding down and primer. In a few days I should be ready for filler primer and a lot more sanding.

metalchewy · Wednesday at 8:29 PM

Whole Lotta work right there. Looking great!

Pondo · Wednesday at 8:49 PM

metalchewy said:
Whole Lotta work right there. Looking great!

Thanks! My shoulder and elbow aren't thanking me right now, but the bike is looking a whole lot better!

Pondo · 2024-10-25T15:08:34-0500

I’m deleting the fender struts so I cleaned off the chrome around the holes and buzzed them shut with the wire welder. A little filler and it’ll be fine.