How do I paint this?

[CarsonsChaos]

Im new to custom paint though i've done paintwork in the past.
Anyway, I'd like to try something like this on my bike this winter.

http://customflamepainting.com/cgi-bin/parts/classifieds.cgi?db=samples&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=506&query=retrieval

http://customflamepainting.com/cgi-bin/parts/classifieds.cgi?db=samples&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=594&query=retrieval

If you were going to paint this, what colors or mixes would you use?
I like the ghosted harley on the one tank also.

[Whit]

Colors would be a personal preference
and the Harley needs a stencil cut !!!
Otherwise just shoot basecoat and mask
the flame and dust color around the edges !!!
Then clearcoat and go riding !!!
For the flames you may get a local signshop
to cut your flames and Harley logo for you
out of some paintmask !!!
Would make it a lot easier !!!

[blinddog 99]

Carson, someone else might chime in here, but its pretty much like this. These are HOK colors, basecoat the tins in BC25 black, then Kandy Cherry Black basecoat.

Then clear it and let it set up real good. Then scuff with a 3M Grey or Red pad lightly & evenly. Clean it very well, with Wax/Grease Remover, then a tack rag.

Then, lay out your flames with tape, mask off and a light coat of Orion Silver Metallic. (Only spray it where the red needs to go, light and easy does it). Then, lay down a nice coat of Kandy Brandwine till you're happy, & let it set up. Then, clear again, at least two or three coats. Then scuff lightly where you want the logo.

Then, for the Harley ghost, make a mixture of BC-100 intercoat clear with just a drop of white and a drop of silver. Mask & spray very lightly & evenly into the mask. Once its dry, unmask and let it all sit 24 hours. Then scuff all, and recoat with three coats of UK-35 (I think that's the one) clear. Then scuff all with 1500 grit wet, 2000 grit wet, then get busy with your compound.

When its compounded (I use Finess II by 3M) it will looks so cool, you will want to pat yourself on the back!

CAVEAT: Test it all first so the steps are not foreign. It will pay off huge dividends to test on a metal panel, trust me.......

Hope this helps, if you need a vector of the Harley logo, let me know.

[Whit]

blinddog,,,
you make it look hard with all tha steps here,,,
just to clear this up,,,
It's as easy as my post makes it look,,,:partyalone:
But Do Everything blinddog Said !!!

[CarsonsChaos]

What I'm really trying to get is the colors used.
Are the flames red candy over silver, brandy candy over pearl?
Does the cherry color in the base come from the candy or is it red before candy?
I want to worry about my ability to mask and paint and not whether or not the colors are going to be close.
I realize there is going to be some guess work but I'm sure your guesses are going to be way closer than mine.

[CarsonsChaos]

oops..alittle slow on my response..anyway, that's more what I'm looking for.

[blinddog 99]

Carson, if you look at the site you show, it clearly states the colors, Kandy Cherry Black, with Kandy Brandywine flames. These are HOK colors.

Whit, I'm not sure I understand your remark, I just tried to walk through the steps to achieve this. Its not hard, but it takes that many steps to do it right. No? Are you saying I steered him wrong? Maybe I'm watching too many Kosmoski tutorials.:(

One of the reasons for the steps I have mentioned is that I am painting my bike next month. I walked through the setup with a couple of big shots and got their input. The only difference is, I will be using the Kandy Brandywine over the BC25 black. Then clear & airbrush.

[Whit]

No,, No,,, No,,, blinddog,,,
You Answered Right,, you just explained how !!!
My post was cut short and quick !!!
I figured if I gave any particulars,,, then the
next question would be "Can I Do This in AA"
waterbased,,, you know,,, an easier way ???
Not knowing particulars can give wrong answers
and the colors used were listed,,, so,,, my answer !!!
You Had The Right Reply !!! mine was short
and contained no steps at all !!!
BTW,,, I would NOT RECCOMEND AA paint here !!!
Taping would prob pull paint down to primer !!!
blinddog,,, I bow to your expertise !!! Good Post !!!

[blinddog 99]

Sorry bud, I thought you were trashin me for some reason. The only reason I called out the paint, is that the site actually shows it. And it was so darn close to the recipe I have drummed into my tired old head to paint my own tins, it was amazing! The reason for the two clear steps in between is because I recentlly ruined a car hood job thinking that Intercoat clear alone would stop the Kany from bleeding. Ooops, was I wrong.The extra clear coats, while tedious, will make the job look perfect and give a lot of latitude.

In principle, Carson, eurathane Kandy will get this job done. Whit's point is well taken, if you want to use water base paint, forget my steps. Since the site you show the tins on actually called out HOK (and that is my paint of choice), I jumped (like a tired ol' ass will) to stupid conclusions. My humblest apologies for ruffling anyone's feathers..... now back to my shop to finish my dragon underpaint. Peace, sorry.

[CarsonsChaos]

That's what I was looking for.
I saw the colors but thought it may be a general discription that didn't really relay actual colors used.
Since this will be my first real attempt at a nice job, the steps are appriciated.
The only thing I may do different is use Dupont Hot Hues, since I can get it locally.
I'll have to do some price and product comparing.
Though HOK would be prefered since it seems to be the first choice of custom painters.
Thanks

[blinddog 99]

Carson, Dupont would be fine, you just need to be sure to do a comparison of color swatches to what HOK colors I mentioned. Probably any metallic silver will do since it gets covered. I buy my HOK straight from Cali on the internet.

[blinddog 99]

That's a huge help in understanding these, thanks Steven. Answered all my questions and then some! I was just relating to Carson what I could discern from the articles he posted.

[helmetguy]

I'm with stevenskc. HOK has some colors that you just can't get from any other paint mfgr, such as the flourescent colors. But there is so much available from PPG, DuPont etc and the cost is much less. You have to buy an entire qt of HOK but most auto paint stores will mix you 1/2 pts if need be.
Also, play around with different color combos. It sounds like you know what you want so try it out on aluminum panels first.
I very rarely put clear in-between color coats but that is just me. It is a comfort level and knowing what the product will do once it hits the surface.
All color on this tank & fenders was shot prior to clear.

[blinddog 99]

Helmetguy, that is beautiful work! It looks though, like its all basecoat colors. If you are using any candies or pearls, it is a very good (my experience) idea to blow down some clear between colors, so it doesn't sink into the base color...