Katana Owners Club U.K.

I have finally got settled in the new house and will be starting the strip down and rebuild of the pop very soon. Sorted out where I am getting all the powder coating done. And I thought I could get the engine done in a high temp powder but seems not.

So whats the best way to get it looking mint???? I know you can get the rattle cans but I am never really impressed with the finish of them. sure plenty of people on here have done this so best to ask then struggle

I did my 550 with a rattle can. I rekon it came out ok tbh. Used pj1 but they dont make it anymore



Pete

that looks nice.

But i am dubious as to how long it will last. My bike has been through a hard time and the engine has lasted well. I use my rides as they were meant to be used. which means they get used a lot, rain snow or shine.

Plus I think I want it gloss finish. nice and shiny

hammerite smoothrite goes on well, takes a time to dry though but great finnish. I`ve used it on mine and will be using it my next project.
Whatever paint you decide on sure others will have their own preferences but make sure you spend time on the prep, get it well degreased first.

Nigel

hmmmmm hammerite? wouldnt of thought that could put up with the heat.

I have some awesome degreaser that I use in stuff (proper evil stuff stinks my garage out for days after)

I was in 2 minds to strip it and do it that way. but I want the engine back in a half decent time.

Nothing will last in all weathers even powder coat will lift eventually and then it's harder to put right.
I think b&c express do an engine paint that works well. with paint you can re do bits as the winter gets to them.

Look on bandcexpress website, go to maintenance then click on paints on the left hand side.. they do tech coat gloss black.

the majority of engine paints are ok, but the majority of problems with painted engines is down to preparation. it needs to be clean, degreased and dry thats a given, but it also needs to be cured properly. if you dont cure it, it will flake. the best way to cure it is to run the engine for 5 mins and then let it cool, repeat this a couple of times leaving it to cool between, then take it for a slow gentle run, enough to warm it through but nothing to much in case it gets overheated. avoid the rain and puddles the first couple of runs and let it cool right down between. this lets the paint bake hard and helps it to last longer. painting and then thrashing it will have it flaking in weeks. the ideal curing would be to spray individual components and then bake them in an oven, but thats not really practical for an engine!

smootharite is a fantastic engine paint,i have my RD400 barrels and heads done with it,also barrels on my GSXR1100,done in gloss black about 4years ago,no chipping no fading or flaking,give the surface a good heat up with a hot air gun,nice dry heat.once you have the desired finish,give it a wee heat up and leave in the warm for a few hours,goes as hard as fuke.obviously do all the prep work before painting.

Smoothrite can be tricky as it does not like to go on very thick at all. As moby said, heat the part and also make sure the can is warm too then give light dusting coats. My fork lowers turned out well but ive not given it a field test yet.

I'm also thinking of doing some barrels in smoothrite and obviously prep is very important.
Obviously they need to be grease free and dry, but do I need to remove all the old coating or just the loose stuff?
Was just a bit concerned about the smootrite reacting with the original coating.

Also seem to recall someone on OSS rating Wilkinsons BBQ paint. Never tried it though.