Fork Paint Colour

[GreenEyedGecko]

Hiya, Does anyone know what the paint code is for the fork tubes? Or could maybe recommend a tin of spray that's a close match (satin silvery/grey).

I found a second hand pair that look a bit gnarly so thought I would have a go at cleaning them down and giving them a spray ( First time trying to do some paint work - how hard can it be )

[alanfjones1411]

Take a look at rsbikepaint.com they have 1000s of colours all original in rattle tins

[AMCQ46]

Or do them black to contrast with the red bodywork. Mac will be along soon to say what he used, but use a good etch primer and then smoth hammerite

[countrymick]

yep,i used smooth silver hamerite spray on mine.came up great.

[MacV2]

Plasicote, no need to prime according to the tin...

Get a good wire brush attachment for an electric drill & go at it to remove all the old paint & crud.



As you can see these were done in situ be a bit easier off the bike...



I like the forks black but hey it's your bike...what about doing them Gold ?

[sirch345]

Hiya, Does anyone know what the paint code is for the fork tubes? Or could maybe recommend a tin of spray that's a close match (satin silvery/grey).

I used Simoniz 5 wheel silver, which is not that far off from the original colour IMHO. I did lacquer the fork legs this time, but I didn't the first time. I'm hoping with the added lacquer they will help them stay looking good longer.
Here's a link for the paint:-
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... 49772301&0&

You can probably judge for yourself from the photo how close (or not) the colour is:-



Chris.

[GreenEyedGecko]

Thanks for the advice. Nice looking results there in both the black and the silver.

The forks just arrived yesterday so they havent been fitted yet. This is the "before" photo.




Right. Off to Halford now to get a wire brush attachment!!

[agentpineapple]

I wouldn't bother going back to bare metal, clean the, give them a rub down scotchbrite pad, then acid etch primer, light rub down, then a good few coats of paint, I used Halfords silver enamel paint, a tad shinier than standard, but a nice finish..

[popkat]

I used silver wheel paint and then lacquered, pretty close to original colour. I painted my handlebars and subframe with smooth hammerite and thought it was sh1t, took several weeks to go off, until then it was soft, probably still is a bit but the parts aren't subjected to stone chips. Hammerite isn't the same as it used to be and I wouldn't use it again.

[bigtwinthing]

Hard Hat by Rustoleum is great paint.

[GreenEyedGecko]

Thanks for the comments and advice. I went with Hammerite Direct to Rust Smooth Silver Metal Paint. Here are some pictures of the job.

This how gnarly they were to start with


First I sanded them down with a wire attachement for the drill. (that makes your arms ache and yet, its strangly compulsive) Next put some paint stripper on, and then washed them down with detergent and a plastic pan scrub.



Although the paint is branded Direct to Rust, the instructions say to apply a primer (Whu?? ) So ok, I painted on some Hammerite special metals primer with a brush.



Then I sprayed them outside with the paint. I wasn't allowed to do this in the garage. lol. Used two tins and must have applied about 10 coats (its the OCD flaring up again )



Then I left them hanging in the shed for a week.

Finally I got them put on the bike (well ok, O/H did that while I drank the tea)

The paint isnt an exact match to the original, but its pretty close. First time I have done any body work so I am rather chuffed

[MacV2]

Good work...Now just wait for the first stone chip...Don't weep too much your mascara will run...

[GreenEyedGecko]

Groan, too corney!!

[AMCQ46]

good work there Christine, vey impressed

[sirch345]

Good job GEG What a difference

Chris.