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Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:51 pm
by sharvie
I would like to repaint my engine satin black. Need help on what type of paint to use. One suggestion was to use pressure pack paint that is designed for painting car disk brake calipers.
All suggestions welcome!

Steven Harvie

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:10 pm
by Scorps
Howdy Y'all,

I am going through this exact same process at the moment - need to paint my KT engine silver. I have done my research and I am going to go:

1. Beadblast cases/cylinder/head
2. Clean down with grease/wax remover
3. Paint with VHT brake caliper paint - light mist coat followed by heavier coat 15/20min later
4. Air dry for a day then bake in oven at 100deg for 1 hr

Engine Enamel is another alternative - but I think brake caliper paint will be better because it is rated about 200deg higher than engine enamel.

If anyone has better ideas though, please post. My project starts in a fortnight!

Cheers,
Your friendly neighbourhood KawiMan,
Scorps

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 5:15 pm
by Starky
Hi Guys,

You will notice in my avatar the TY has an alloy look engine. This is Septone Heat Proof Paint in Aluminium. I went and bought VHT to start with but could not get the light alloy look I was after. The VHT was a real grey. So Scorps you are welcome to it if you want it.

The Septone is holding up well on the engine but not so well on the header pipe but I think this is more to do with prep rather than the paint.

I started to bake my parts in the oven, but DRAGON LADY appeared and that was the end of that experiment. I coped it for a week or so. Considering I lived through the ordeal I simply put the bike back together and did the warm up and cool down trick a number of times. No real inconveince when it is a trials bike. Like you Scorps the engine was beadblasted and cleaned well before painting.

I also bought a clear coat VHT but did not use it so there is another issue you may like to consider.

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 5:55 pm
by sharvie
Hi Starky,

Is this steptone paint in a pressurised can or does it run through a spray gun? If it runs through a spray gun, was an under coat used. Also where do you get the steptone paint from?

Thanks for your comments Starky & Scorps

Steven Harvie

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 6:39 pm
by David Lahey
Septone may be rare where you live because Septone is based in Brisbane. Super Cheap Auto Parts has the full Septone range here in Gladstone.

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 6:54 pm
by sharvie
Thanks David

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 8:02 pm
by Starky
Yep David is right, Supercheap Auto. It is rated to 650c and is used for pot belly stoves and other such things. From memory it is about the same price as VHT can't be sure but.

I did not use an undercoat and it has held up well. No touch ups yet and the mud and grime seem to wash off alright.

Oh yes it is in a pressure can.

This is Dragon Lady (apparently). One minute I am cooking little cakes, next minute the kitchen smells of baking metal bike parts. He is lucky he got off with only a week of hot tongue and cold shoulder.AKA Helen.

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 8:17 pm
by David Lahey
Yes Starky you really should have expected that.
The real secret for 22 years (so far) of happy marriage? I save up my shrink fits and paint curing till Wendy goes out for the day.

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:18 pm
by scrivo
VHT also make a specific motorcycle case paint it has given excellent results on all three engines I have restored. Looks axactly like a factory satin finish and is very tough.

I bead blast the cases back to bare alloy before painting. No undercoat although I always paint immediately after blasting (within 20 minutes) and only clean the parts in thinners or electronic cleaner (no residue at all) after blasting. The alloy, particularly magnesium, seems to form a 'skin' very quickly once new metal is exposed.

I am sure the other products are equally good. My personal preference is the VHT paint as I have always had excellent results.

VHT also make a specific air cooled cylinder 'Barrell' paint but I have never used it. The temperature rating is much higher than the case paint. It is also satin black and is surposed to match the case paint.

I have also had good results with VHT frame proof paint for exhaust pipes.

In all cases when I paint engines or exhaust pipes I try to allow 5-7 days air drying before assembly or heating the components.

Re: Honda TLR 250

Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:41 pm
by David Lahey
I've used the VHT air cooled cylinder paint that scrivo mentioned on finned two-stroke barrels and found it to be as good as the factory finish on TY250 and Bultaco cylinders and heads. I use it on cases and brake drums too but that is only so I don't have to store more than one type of satin black motor paint, and it is quite soft until it gets cured in the oven.