Repainting the YamaZong XT200GY-2

[Cal25]

Did you clearcoat?

[vet_stingray]

its a bummer we want get to see the finished results till then but looking forward to it

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Cal25

Did you clearcoat?

No, I didn't add a clear coat. Do you think I should? The Rustoleum Enamel is very glossy, and claims to be quite durable.

Spud

[FastDoc]

Quit while you're ahead. Also, it will be easier to touch up in the future without the clear coat.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Quit while you're ahead. Also, it will be easier to touch up in the future without the clear coat.

I think you're right, Doc.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by vet_stingray

its a bummer we want get to see the finished results till then but looking forward to it

I am enjoying this project very much; I am glad to see you are enjoying it also, Vet. Below is a retouched photograph that depicts a very close approximation of the final result.



Spud

[FastDoc]

I repainted an XR last winter and regretted the clear coat. More work, less shine, and harder to repair.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I repainted an XR last winter and regretted the clear coat. More work, less shine, and harder to repair.

Thank you for that valuable information, Doc. I always wish to learn from the experience of others.

I now have two complete sets of plastic for my Zong. Therefore, each Spring I intend to mount the freshly repainted plastic. At that time I will repaint the other set of plastic, and store it away for the next year.

Retouching the Rustoleum Gloss Enamel should be an easy job. This paint is very easy to apply, with excellent coverage; it is also reported to be very durable. Finally, the Rustoleum Gloss Enamel is also inexpensive, and readily available.

Spud

[FastDoc]

IIRC on the Honda I used a red paint by Rustoleum designed for tractors. It had the slight orange tint as the old XR's so it was a good replacement color, and I figured if it was tough enough for a tractor it would hold up on a bike.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

IIRC on the Honda I used a red paint by Rustoleum designed for tractors. It had the slight orange tint as the old XR's so it was a good replacement color, and I figured if it was tough enough for a tractor it would hold up on a bike.

Amen!

Rustoleum has a large selection of orange tints. For example, you can get three shades of orange in the Rustoleum Engine Enamel.

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....372&sid=248957

Rustoleum also offers orange in its General Purpose, High Heat, Multi-Purpose Gloss, Ultra-Cover Gloss, High Performance Enamel, and Farm Equipment spray paints

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....377&sid=249304
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....371&sid=248905
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....97&sid=1953830
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....400&sid=249095
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....95&sid=7555838
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....11&sid=7458830

I paid about $3 a can for the Rustoleum Gloss Protective Enamel spray paint I used on my Zong's plastic.

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct....=24&sid=214084

Spud

[SpudRider]

As shown earlier, I had repainted my Zong’s rear quarter panel in Rustoleum Gloss Orange enamel. To gauge the final results, I placed the repainted quarter panel near my motorcycle; I decided the color was not close enough. :( Therefore, I went searching the local stores for another shade of orange spray paint. I found the correct color match at Lowe’s; it was Valspar Gloss Orange 65018.

To demonstrate the ravaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, here is photograph of the old, faded quarter panel, juxtaposed with a new quarter panel.



The next photograph shows a Zong quarter panel repainted in Rustoleum Gloss Orange Enamel. I decided to switch from this color to Valspar Gloss Orange 65018.



The following photograph shows a Zong quarter panel repainted in Valspar Gloss Orange 65018.



The following photographs show a headlight cowl repainted in Valspar Gloss Orange 65018. The Valspar Gloss Orange is a closer match to the Polisport front fender than the original Zong orange.





I am going to let the Valspar Gloss Orange paint cure inside my home this winter. However, I temporarily fitted the repainted, rear quarter panel to my Zong to get a preview of the final result. Please note, the Zong's tailpiece is still Zong orange, not Valspar Gloss Orange.







The next photograph shows the old Zong fender juxtaposed with the new Polisport fender. Please note the differences in size, shape, and color, between the two fenders! I really enjoy my new Polisport fender.



Finally, here is retouched photograph that approximates how the repainted Zong will appear next Spring, in its natural habitat.

]

Once again, I thank everyone for his constructive input.

Spud

[SpudRider]

I am very pleased with the color match of the Valspar Gloss Orange 65018 spray paint; I think it definitely looks better than the flat, Zong Orange! Therefore, next Spring I plan to repaint the new Zong plastic with Valspar Gloss Orange.

Based upon my experience with the different spray paints, I plan to use Krylon Fusion in Safety Orange (Pumpkin) as a primer paint. I will then paint the underside of all the Zong plastic in Rustoleum Gloss Orange Enamel. I will paint the outside of the Zong plastic in Valspar Gloss Orange 65018. Finally, I employ two, small plastic trim pieces between the Zong’s side plastic, and the Clarke XT225 fuel tank. I have painted these small pieces black, with Krylon Ultra Flat Camouflage spray paint.

My Zong has now traveled 21,000 miles, but the fresh paint makes it look like a new motorcycle. Thank you for all your help, especially those who voted for KTM Orange!

P.S. Searching for KTM Orange color data, I discovered the following video showing the new KTM 1190 RC8 motorcycle.

http://www.ktm-rc8.net/fileadmin/rc8/video/vid_2.php

Spud

[MICRider]

I really like the tank Spud, it changes the whole look of the bike! And that video of the KTM race bike... Wow!! That thing looks like its doing a hunnert when it's standing still. Orange and black rocks, long live the Zong!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

I really like the tank Spud, it changes the whole look of the bike! And that video of the KTM race bike... Wow!! That thing looks like its doing a hunnert when it's standing still. Orange and black rocks, long live the Zong!

Thank you, Rider. I really like the appearance of the Clarke XT225 fuel tank; however, I enjoy even more the extra 1.5 gallons of fuel it carries. I was also very fortunate to find such a great color match to KTM orange with the Valspar spray paint; I am very pleased with the final results.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by PCD

Now I see it, I rescind my choice of red. Very nice work and the colors compliment one another nicely. Bravo.

Thank you, Pete.

I don't know much about color theory. Therefore, I finally decided the professional color designers must know more than I. However, in retrospect, I can see that I was very fortunate to find the correct shade of KTM Orange available in a spray can!

I still think the Zong would look good with a Honda Red color scheme. I am also convinced that finding spray paint the correct shade of Honda Red would be much easier than finding KTM Orange.

Spud