Why do people get hassled for using auto paint or especially spray paint?

[Hoosier_Daddy]

OK, I have seen threads now with guys getting ridiculed for using paint instead of powder coat. My question is , why? What do others care about what someone wants to do to fix up their trike? If some one painstakingly spray paints a frame and does a good job they get called names like edog and such. I painted mine with auto paint and got ridiculued for it. Even accused of using spray paint. I'm just wondering why it is such a big deal to so many who have nothing to do with the project they are making fun of. My thing is, even if someone does use spray paint or auto paint, because they can't afford quality blast and powder, why do they deserve ridicule for it? Maybe people don't have the money to do it showroom? Why do the "well to do guys" jump in to harrass those who are just trying to make it by with the best they can? Are we in 3rd grade?

[PaTriker]

I use spray paint all the time and really don't care what anyone says or thinks. I like it and can't see wasting all that kind of money for something that your going to ride through the mud. If your going for showroom fine, but alot of us ride our trikes. Don't worry about what anyone says.

[AutoXer]

very happy with my edog I think if you prep right and do it right there is no problem with it ...... the guys who don't do it right and get crapy results should be harassed untill they are left crying like a girl in the corner

[KASEY]

GET UP ON THAT PEDESTAL AND SHOUT TO THE MASSES!!!!!

i hear you brother!! i have painted all my projects and i dare anyone to say anything,,,, i also use automotive paint,,,, if i powdered all my projects i would be broke!! even if i knew someone and could get a deal,,,, so i don't know why some people have a problem with paint,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[Bryan Raffa]

the guys who don't do it right and get crapy results should be harassed untill they are left crying like a girl in the corner


:welcome: :lol: to me that takes the fun out of it ...scrach em all up and re-do em!:naughty:

[thefox]

Yeah I think it is when it is a rushed job that the comments start flying.

I think most of the time spray paint is associated with someone spray bombing something right over dirt giving it that negative image.

I spray paint and sometimes auto paint my trikes, but I have never clamed them to be the "nicest to ever grace this earth".

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I'm glad to hear that from you guys. I posted a pic of my frame and it was cleaned and sanded fairly well(not perfect) but I shot it with auto paint and I took a beating about painting my frame. I know it isn't beautiful but i am going to show a true budget build and when it is finished i will make a thread.

I get tired of seeing threads that say "budget build" when the owner dumps hundreds into powder coat and goes out and get's high dollar parts for it. That isn't budget. Budget means doing your best to make a nice trike and keeping the price as low as possible. That's my opinion. In the next week or two you guys will see my HONEST budget build. I hope you enjoy it.

[Dirtcrasher]

1) Because DEEPA likes to bust your chops.


2) Because if you ride in the conditions I have here, spray cans do not stand up.

3) Because I RIDE and I ride OFTEN, I need a good strong finish on every MF fastner, collar and exposed part on my toy.............

Ya know what, chit is expensive, From bigbores to porting to axles to suspension BLAH BLAH BLAH.you wanna restore it? you want it nice? durable? Hundreds and or thousands get spent.......

But a 5$ can of paint is cool right?? Right up ther5e with the rest??

You guys promote your trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro paint all you want and if it works for you, then that's great :beer:

You wanna spend hours powerwashing and scuffing paint and your stupid wirewheel in your drill :lol: then HAVE AT IT. And then what? it takes 3 minutes with your can of golden juice?? Sounds about right huh??

For me, while I'm assembling KRYLON and RUSTOLEUM painted parts I hit them, with the pliers and it's scratched - I tighten a nut and it scratched.

If your BROKE and restoring a trike the best you can, then I admire and promote ANYTHING you do to improve it!! It's quick, it's easy and it makes your parts look great in minutes.

I'm not saying that it doesn't have it's place because it does.,

Not everyone has the cash for PC, chrome, polishing or paint with a hardner. But Walmart is a stones throw away.....

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Good post dirtcrasher.

[threewheelin-feelin]

no one should be put down for anything they do to they 3 wheeler...its theres...they can do what they please...even if someone rattle cans it and messes up ..so what? its a learning experience...not everyone on this site is a mechanic or body shop man...i my self am a pretty good mechanic...but cosmetics has never been my trade but i do my best and think everyone on here also tries to do the same so lets all relax and have a :beer

[Dirtcrasher]

No one has the right to tell you how to do "your build".

Your build is in your hands and your budget.

It shouldn't come off as entirely as "harrasssment" Many times it's just tough for some people to absorb the time put into something only to apply a so so finish on the main frame, swinger etc etc..... Whats another 150$ if you just spent 150$ on a fender, 75$ on a seat cover and 300$ on new tires!!??

And never take off a good finish, esp that Honda zinc coating on the fastners and links/brackets etc etc, for a spray bomb :beer:

[Dammit!]

I hate spray paint. Too many impatient idiots out there using it incorrectly. 90% of the time just cleaning up the old factory paint would look better than the rush jobs you see a lot of times. Once you've had to un-do a couple of those jobs you'll develop a distaste for the stuff. If you use it right and do the proper prep work in can come out looking nice. Won't be as durable as powder or auto paint obviously. All I ask is that people stop spraying EVERY DAMN THING on a trike. Usually without even bothering to take it apart, much less clean and prep anything.

Here's a special glimpse into the mind of the typical resto-in-a-can type.

What's this? A faded plastic gas tank? A little krylon will fix this right up!

Plastic fenders? SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSPPPPPPPTTTTTT!!!!!

I know, I'll paint the frame red without taking any parts off it, then spray paint the motor black while it's in the frame! Sweet! And screw the high temp stuff! This gloss black paint I used on my fridge will work on this header! Yeehaw!

Yeah. Just don't be that guy.

[cr480r]

people ridicule spray paint because it sucks... it doesnt hold up very well at all.. some people cant understand why a person would bother to make a thread with a thousand pics of a bike that is merely dissassembled and spray bombed... Or why would a person spend hundreds on a full chassis rebuild and cover it with a 3$ paint job thats gonna last 10 minutes ? I myself have use spray paints on rider quality machines with decent results(plus its easy to touch up) but then again I dont plaster them all over the web for people to ridicule...

[Tri-ZNate]

I hate using spray paint on anything with a motor, a mailbox is fine

[cr480r]

This gloss black paint I used on my fridge will work on this header! Yeehaw!

Yeah. Just don't be that guy.

epoxy appliance paint actually works quite well on frames.. much more durable than regular krylon or rustoleum

[Dammit!]

epoxy appliance paint actually works quite well on frames.. much more durable than regular krylon or rustoleum

You know, I stopped right at the word fridge for a second because I just couldn't think of anything my goofy imaginary trike painter would have painted recently. :lol:

The mailbox example would have been better. D'oh! trailpro

[Tri-ZNate]

The mailbox example would have been better. D'oh! trailpro

Yeah but on my mailbox I went the extra mile and use some spray on truck liner. That buggerwill never scratch :lol:

[Billy Golightly]

Its not just the fact that its out of a can, its how its used the preparation. And TYPICALLY, if someone rattle can's something, they do not do prep thats even half assed.

They don't remove all the frame components (chain guides, nuts, bolts, seat latches, etc) They dont adequately degrease/clean the frame, and they dont adequate remove the old finish.

QUICK=not good!

A rattle can pain job CAN be done right, absolutely, but its got to be prepped right.

Same as $300 a gallon automotive paint being sprayed from a HVLP paint gun. PREP, PREP, PREP! I've seen so much stuff on here that is painted right over wires, grease, dirt, frame components, its just really ,really dis-tasteful. And that sort of behavior is why, in general, rattle can paint jobs have a bad stigma.

[adamd]

spray is fine if preped good and used right i prefer usin my auto type spray gun so i can mix my own paint since im only 17 and do good to get by with my 3 wheelers and low income. i will proly buy my own pc gun soon becuse it does last longer

this pic is a good example of a trailpro trailpro trailpro trailpro way to spray somthin 250x i bought cheap wile ago dont think there was one part on it that wasnt spray painted black. none of it was hi temp ether the tires were even sprayd

[super90]

screw paint and powdercoating, i just blast everything with bed coating and call it a day :crazy:

[Kintore]

See, I like spray bomb.

I painted my parents 4runner rims with the stuff-
I did alot of prep work, sanding, wire wheeling and priming.
It came out BEAUTIFUL and its still holding great to this day-
Pic-
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/JoshBall/P4180207.jpg

its all in how you do it, Ive painted a few things on my race bike and its held up pretty well considering the abuse it takes.PC is definetly the answer but hell, when you are rubbin/beatin on it. a quick squirt will fix it right up!

[SYKO]

this pic is a good example of a trailpro trailpro trailpro trailpro way to spray somthin 250x i bought cheap wile ago dont think there was one part on it that wasnt spray painted black. none of it was hi temp ether the tires were even sprayd


that color black can be had at wall mart I beleive its "STOLEN FLATBLACK" pretty sure thats it, just in case you wanted to know or touch it up.:beer

[Bryan Raffa]

thay make that in gloss syko?:p

[SYKO]

thay make that in gloss syko?:p



sure do but its not as common is the incognito flat black, you know the black when cops lights hit it just disapears and they say " i see nuttin" and dont help no more........

[DeePa]

i love how i drive you nuts hoosier...you get so worked up its funny as trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro...

billy i love your comments about painting over chain sliders and such...hoosier, go look at your frame LOL!!!!

if you have trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro all apart, do it right and do it once. plain and simple

[Hoosier_Daddy]

i love how i drive you nuts hoosier...you get so worked up its funny as trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro...

billy i love your comments about painting over chain sliders and such...hoosier, go look at your frame LOL!!!!

if you have trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro all apart, do it right and do it once. plain and simpleThis thread has nothing to do with you. I assure you, that the likes of you have no ability to "drive me nuts" over an internet message board. I simply saw people dogging spray painted frames for a long time and i know if done righ the spray paint can be decent. Take a step back, get off your pedestal and get over yourself. The thread has zero to do with you.

I have no clue why you think that you persoanlly have some sort of ability to ruffle me. You're nobody. I've owned you during Kawie vs yami/honda arguments and it bothers you, and it's pathetic to watch you try so hard to make yourself look like your "taking down the "HoosierDaddy" If anything, your attempts are pathetic at best.


Oh, and to answer your question, I look at my frame every day, it isn't finished yet? So, what's the problem? I'll give you an A for effort. Keep up the good work and I'll let you start riding the short bus to class!!

[adamd]

that color black can be had at wall mart I beleive its "STOLEN FLATBLACK" pretty sure thats it, just in case you wanted to know or touch it up.:beer

thats thought did cross my mind but he did have a tital for it i basicly used the engine for parts and few other things here and there its in boxes with maybe 3 diffrnt 250x,s that was the bike bfor i traded it off

[oscarmayer]

I've done both and Honestly, i prefer cheapo qualty spray can over anythign else unless it's a show trike. i've had power chip and hold moisture in then cause rusting. you can't just sand the chip spots and touch up a power job. and power cracks just like emanel does. using some good spray can auto paint works wonders and you can sand and touch up chipped spots.

maybe if I was riding only soft sand dunes, then yea power, but I ride trails with sand STONE and trees. power and enamel just don't hold up at all. So i think it depends on where your riding, but i do know painting can hodl up to any condiftions and if there is a chip it will be easy to fix before rusting occures.

if I build a show queen, then yea power and some stuff, but even then I an not sure i'll do it over spray booth painting because pwoer does tend to chip and crack easier. I've seen a lotta guys get power then re-tap the hols in the threads to clean then and end up flaking or chipping off the power around th ehead of the hole. Not good in my books. spend hundreds for chips and crakcs. no way!

As i said i think it depends on what you are looking for and where you ride and how much.
anyway just my 2 cents.

[ditchmud]

A rattlecan paintjob can turn out awsome with good prep and effort.
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg308/ditchmud/170.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg308/ditchmud/176.jpg

But.....Spray paint doesn't have the same properties as automotive paint. Mainly it doesn't have the hardeners. I spent a lot of man hours on this paint job, and it looked fantastic. Nobody believed me when I told them that I did this paint job from rattlecans. The only problem was that the paint never hardened and a little gas spill while fueling my bike caused terrible damage and completely ruined all of my work. After this I was so :mad: disgusted that I sold the bike. I sure do miss it, and I sure do wish that I had spent the extra money. This is what happened.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg308/ditchmud/173.jpg
As far as powder coating goes. I don't really see any advantage to it. It gets scratched too, maybe a little more durable but IMO not worth the extra cost.

[Lukeatc185]

powder coating is way to expensive. if you have a compressor id say eff the spray paint tho. and buy a paint gun. they work alot better, if you dont have a compressor and cant offord one. that sucks. spray paint works. I f u have a compressor.. buy the gun you can get them for like 50 bucks brand new. and the outcome is alot better then spray paint.

[vrswiss]

Someone spray bombed the Tri Z I just bought bigtime. Plastic, frame, motor, overspray every where. luckily they did no prep so I was able to more less wipe it all off with a little paint remover. The funny thing is all the plastic and factory paint is in pretty good shape and looks much better than the hack jog they did. If I ever strip this thing to the frame I'll have it painted by a buddy of mine who does vintage car restoration. I know he would do it right and for the right price.

[BOB MARLIN]

I would love to powder coat everything. But I live in So. Cal. where everything
seems to be at least double the cost than you guys are getting in other parts of the U.S.A. It costs about $400 to get a frame done here.

[racerxxx]

Its not just the fact that its out of a can, its how its used the preparation. And TYPICALLY, if someone rattle can's something, they do not do prep thats even half assed.

They don't remove all the frame components (chain guides, nuts, bolts, seat latches, etc) They dont adequately degrease/clean the frame, and they dont adequate remove the old finish.

QUICK=not good!

A rattle can pain job CAN be done right, absolutely, but its got to be prepped right.

Same as $300 a gallon automotive paint being sprayed from a HVLP paint gun. PREP, PREP, PREP! I've seen so much stuff on here that is painted right over wires, grease, dirt, frame components, its just really ,really dis-tasteful. And that sort of behavior is why, in general, rattle can paint jobs have a bad stigma.

I agree it's all in the prep work, if it's not clean it looks like you have an 80 Grit frame, also take all the chit off and do it right and your bomb job will look top notch.

Also for all those who say PC is too expensive, look into doing it yourself. You can get a kit from eastwood for around 140 with some powder, go to a local appliance store and ask for an old oven, that's what I did. I have under 200 into my stuff and I can bake some decent size parts, no frames but while I'm still getting use to it all eventually I'll build a bigger oven for that. Here are some of my first parts I did:
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?p=721400#post721400

Really turned out nice, I do also have access to an industrial bead blast cabinet which makes it all that much better. You really can get into it cheap and get quality results, there is a learing curve, but there are forums for that as well and you can troll and learn, there are also books on PC as well. Personally I am too economically astute(cheap), to pay someone to do something for me when I know I can do it myself, plus it's another feather in my cap. If it fits in my oven I'll never rattle can, or base clear another part. Spraybomb can add up, and base/clear is pricey, so is single stage, but everyone has their own financial obligations and limitations, so to each his own, and if you post em' up and get ridiculed about it, don't worry about it, it only has to be good enough for one person:YOU!

:beer

[Dammit!]

I've done both and Honestly, i prefer cheapo qualty spray can over anythign else unless it's a show trike. i've had power chip and hold moisture in then cause rusting. you can't just sand the chip spots and touch up a power job. and power cracks just like emanel does. using some good spray can auto paint works wonders and you can sand and touch up chipped spots.

maybe if I was riding only soft sand dunes, then yea power, but I ride trails with sand STONE and trees. power and enamel just don't hold up at all. So i think it depends on where your riding, but i do know painting can hodl up to any condiftions and if there is a chip it will be easy to fix before rusting occures.

if I build a show queen, then yea power and some stuff, but even then I an not sure i'll do it over spray booth painting because pwoer does tend to chip and crack easier. I've seen a lotta guys get power then re-tap the hols in the threads to clean then and end up flaking or chipping off the power around th ehead of the hole. Not good in my books. spend hundreds for chips and crakcs. no way!

As i said i think it depends on what you are looking for and where you ride and how much.
anyway just my 2 cents.

What is this power you speak of? :lol:

If you're saying cheapo spray paint is tougher than powder, you must have used someone that didn't know what they're doing. There's no way spray paint is going to be tougher than a proper PC job no matter where you ride. PC is just like paint in that everything depends on the prep work though. Bad prep work = bad PC.

[chris200x]

All I ask is that people stop spraying EVERY DAMN THING on a trike. Usually without even bothering to take it apart, much less clean and prep anything.

The guys that complain are the ones that had to... at some point deal with someones halfassed work. Been there done that. and those guys that paint plastics.... :banned: well lets not even go there!:mad: :lock:

its all in the prep work fellas. MY spraybomded 350x is holding up great!!!

[NE250r]

Well, you know its bad when you use a ACE hardware paintbrush and exterior latex paint to do your frame.....:D ohhh the memories of my first 200x....

But in all seriousness if you do anything correctly it can turn out looking good, the point is, will it last? I've painted 2 frames with it, with numerous hours of cleaning,sandblasting, and prepwork, and has still busted off in the first ride. When I had a frame PC'ed it took a POUNDING and still held up like a champ! But if you are on a budget and your frame is all faded and rusty, clean it up and spray it, its obviously going to look better than before. To each his own, I'm not gonna knock anyone's work. The way I break frames and bend forks, its cheaper for me to leave it alone and throw performance parts at it. :lol:

[oscarmayer]

i'm not saying tuffer, just easier to maintain. and it doesn't chip or crack off as easly as powder. + after 2 years of riding my trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro will still look good whiel you got whie spots showing :P cause i can TOUCH it up baby!!!!

[Dammit!]

Whoever told you that you can't touch up PC is wrong. PC is still paint. You can touch it up. I've used automotive touch up paint on it. You don't have to apply a spot of touch up as powder. If you match the colors up you can't even tell.

I have parts on my R that were PC'd 3-4 years ago that still look great with not a hint of chipping that have never been touched up. Try it for yourself. Rattle can one hub and PC the other one and see how they hold up. Maybe I'll do that next dune season. I have an extra set of R hubs in the garage. :lol:

[DeePa]

what kawi v honda debate?

i just feel youre a fool without any common sense and waste precious board space with your stupidity, thats all...

[Hoosier_Daddy]

what kawi v honda debate?

i just feel youre a fool without any common sense and waste precious board space with your stupidity, thats all...
Isn't that cute, you're still trying. How old are you? 15? Even if you're 55 you still act 15. Nobody here actually care about ya, they just put up with you. Same as me from this point fourth. You have nothing to offer. It funny when you give a dimwit a computer how much of a tough guy they become.

I didn't want to let the cat out of the bag but i am going to have to post that picture of you that I took last we met.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jiQufRdZKJw/STuDJtjbQ2I/AAAAAAAAAc8/J80tcm8IVXg/InternetToughGuy-732335_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Back on topic, so let me get this straight.

the problems with spray paint is.......

1. It is assumed that everyone who spray paints never preps properly thuis it is always crappy?
2. Because many have bought an atc that some idiot spray painted poorly it means all spray paint is bad?
3. Since you've spent hundreds on fenders and upgrades, it means it's mandatory to stare at your beloved trike for months longer just so you can save your pennies for blast/powder instead of doing a good quality auto/spray bomb so you can enjoy it?

Am I missing any?

Bottom line is, I used cheap auto paint on my 350X frame because it is a rider. It is going to get riden and if it scratches, I can easily touch it up. I'm not making a show queen. I will make a thread on how to make an HONEST budget build trike when i finish assembling. No, not everybody will agree or like it but I'm sure many will appreciate it.


My Tecate is my baby. I will probably spend years on the Tecate because I will make it perfect. It will be riden but it will be more of a garage queen and THAT is where I personally feel it's worth taking time and spending the money to make it perfect. I don't feel like my 350X rider has to be held to those standards.

[chris200x]

You know hoosierdaddy.. why not save yourself all the headaches and just add deepa to your ignore list. It takes two freakin seconds dude. then we all wont have to sit here and read the nonsense.

[Hoosier_Daddy]

You know hoosierdaddy.. why not save yourself all the headaches and just add deepa to your ignore list. It takes two freakin seconds dude. then we all wont have to sit here and read the nonsense.But, I'm having fun with it.:naughty:

I'll make you all a deal, I won't respond to him anymore then he'll just go away. How's that?

[Dirtcrasher]

Back on topic:

I love auto paint with a hardner, but it's expensive to have primer, reducer, paint, hardner and thinner unless you use it often as a hobby or your job, like SYKO. I'd do more auto paint if I could, but I don't do enough to deal with the spoil/throw away factor.

Thats why I went to powder coating. Free oven from C-list, a 120$ PC gun and powder is very inexpensive. Now all you have to do is strip it and clean it with acetone or sandblast it.

They have small blast cabinets for 100$ or so at Harbor Freight that work just fine. If you don't have a compressor then your already having difficulties in not having a 1/2" impact gun and the air nozzle that I use CONSTANTLY to clean carbs etc etc.

MY HONEST INVESTMENT IS THE FOLLOWING:

Free oven from Craigslist
PC gun 120$
Powder, plugs and tape 100$
Sandblasting cabinet (large) 250$
6HP compressor with a 33 gallon tank 199$ on sale with free air gun, ratchet and blow gun. I actually sold my old compressor for 175$ :w00t:

So, I personally have about 700$ invested. I'm not young anymore either and 700$ is less than a weeks take home pay for me (when I work :lol:), which can be a HUGE factor for allot of people.

You don't need a huge compressor, you may already have one and the smaller blast cabinets strip all your parts just as well but may take a bit longer.

I have used my air compressor for hundreds of hours in hundreds of repairs, they are a MUST HAVE for all garages so I really don't feel that I can include it in the initial PC investment cost.

I've PC'd 3 motors (for free) but I could have easily charged 125$ to do them each. A few small parts for friends nets you 50$. Just about every single bracket and small part on my 200X and 350X are PC'd and hold up great in the rocks, snow and constantly changing terrain we have here in the Northeast.

There are guys baking in 30$ table top ovens using paint stripper, a wire wheel, acetone, a 75$ gun and getting the same results as I do, just on a smaller scale.

I'll say it again, If your seats worth 100$, tires worth 300$, fenders another 300$ and an exhaust worth 150$ (amongst all the other crap we blow HUNDREDS of dollars on) how can you apply an inferior finish?

But, then again, I'm still talking to some people that feel they can "restore" a trike for about 1000$; not in my world guys.......

Don't be afraid of it, I personally WAS afraid of "change" but I couldn't do all that work to only end up with an inferior finish any longer. Look back to my posts 5 years ago, until my 20day build I NEVER posted pictures of things I rebuilt because I didn't like the results. I'd build a motor, overspray carb cleaner on it and it would be ruined.

You guys talking about prep, I respect what your saying. However I don't care if you sandblast it, clean it with lacquer thinner, primer it and coat it with 3 coats of HIGH END KRYLON :lol: That finish still cannot resist gas, carb cleaner removes it all, and you graze it with a wrench and it's scratched. NOTHING disappoints me more than to tear something all down and scratch it or strip it off during assembly and jetting.

My powder is NOT perfect, it DOES chip, I cannot slam it with an 8lb hammer and have it hold up..... Thats what they claim, but I am one incestuous prick when it comes to being meticulous and proper curing times etc etc, but I can't match those claims myself. But, now I can post pictures of my work proudly and know that it's the best I can do to preserve my 25yo goodies :D

Do the best you can guys, but don't do all that work just to make it look good for the photo shoot..........

EDIT - Last but not least. The biggest issue some of you are overlooking is that spray cans do have additives that help them lay flat. But nothing that makes them harden. There is no hardner in spray cans such as with mixed auto paint. When they make a can I can buy off the shelf with something you pull or twist to mix hardner in just before spraying, I'll be all over it for the simplicity and possible durability of the mix.

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Once again dirtcrasher makes an awesome post that makes me think hard about the situation. Damn, your good man!!

Going to trike fest dirtcrasher? I'd love to meet you in person. John S says your a good guy.

[chris200x]

I think you two guys need to get a room! :D

[Dirtcrasher]

^ Message boards don't represent people in the LEAST and can be a bad way to form an opinion about someone. Mike gives me SCHIT constantly and believe me, he'll do it in person also. It's just him and I have love the guy for both his good and bad qualities which apply to all of us :beer:

I'd LOVE to go again but this hasn't been a good year for me as I am still layed off. T-Fest for me needs to be a 7-10 day trip and I want to be all geared up with an RV and a stop on the 19hr drive when I come again.

It's an awesome time, I've never met a better group of people willing to help you and seeing hundreds of trikes is pretty cool too! Members that you think you may not even want to talk to, end up being great people to hang with! I had an unbelievable time with Garageboy, Eric and his bro and sister and everyone else I never met.

When it rains there, it's tough to recover. The showers and baths are not clean and there is no pressure washer to clean your trike and gear off with either. I had an awesome time until 5 days deep in and the sky opened up. At that point every pair of shoes/boots I had were soaked, my helmet was soaked and my ride wanted to leave on Saturday.

I'm hoping to show up in 2010 with all my trikes and the build I've wanted for a couple of years now......

If this topic continues to debate, I'll delete this post.

[fabiodriven]

You know hoosierdaddy.. why not save yourself all the headaches and just add deepa to your ignore list. It takes two freakin seconds dude. then we all wont have to sit here and read the nonsense.

Hell no! These are my favorite threads!

[fabiodriven]

^ Message boards don't represent people in the LEAST and can be a bad way to form an opinion about someone. Mike gives me SCHIT constantly and believe me, he'll do it in person also. It's just him and I have love the guy for both his good and bad qualities which apply to all of us :beer:

I'd LOVE to go again but this hasn't been a good year for me as I am still layed off. T-Fest for me needs to be a 7-10 day trip and I want to be all geared up with an RV and a stop on the 19hr drive when I come again.

It's an awesome time, I've never met a better group of people willing to help you and seeing hundreds of trikes is pretty cool too! Members that you think you may not even want to talk to, end up being great people to hang with! I had an unbelievable time with Garageboy, Eric and his bro and sister and everyone else I never met.

When it rains there, it's tough to recover. The showers and baths are not clean and there is no pressure washer to clean your trike and gear off with either. I had an awesome time until 5 days deep in and the sky opened up. At that point every pair of shoes/boots I had were soaked, my helmet was soaked and my ride wanted to leave on Saturday.

I'm hoping to show up in 2010 with all my trikes and the build I've wanted for a couple of years now......

If this topic continues to debate, I'll delete this post.

Steve, if you wanna set something up for TF 2010 for sure, count me in. I'm the same as you, I'd have to have all my ducks in a row for a trip like that. I've seriously been considering throwing the Tecate on the trailer and just scooting down there, but it would definately be roughing it (I've had my share in the army). I'd definately be up for renting a nice RV or something along those lines so at the end of the day you could have a shower, sit down, have a nice bite, and maybe even watch a movie or something. I run out of gas way to easy these days.

But seriously, if you're interested for 2010, count me in.

[Hoosier_Daddy]

OK, guys, I'll hold you to it. 2010 it is. See you there!!

[Dirtcrasher]

^ Yes, I'm really sorry that I can't be there this year. But, I went last year and that helped me understand what it will take to go there again and enjoy it.....

I'm very thankful of the person that took me last year. Unfortunately he didn't settle a financial obligation with a family member of mine and I had to :banned: him from my life. Which is too bad, I'm PISSED to get F'D indirectly but also very sad to lose a fellow triker over something he could have made good on by now....... HI BRETT :welcome:

So, this year I was on my own and it just can't happen. I hope you guys have a rain free weekend :w00t: and I hope to be squared away next year enough to enjoy it :D

Anyhow, back to your Rustoleum posting PEASANT :lol:

[KASEY]

properly prepped paint,,,, problem?
http://i14.tinypic.com/4l71wl3.jpg

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Anyhow, back to your Rustoleum posting PEASANT :lol:That litterally made me lol.

[Hoosier_Daddy]

properly prepped paint,,,, problem?
http://i14.tinypic.com/4l71wl3.jpg

And...... that is beautiful!!!

[oscarmayer]

Whoever told you that you can't touch up PC is wrong. PC is still paint. You can touch it up. I've used automotive touch up paint on it. You don't have to apply a spot of touch up as powder. If you match the colors up you can't even tell.

I have parts on my R that were PC'd 3-4 years ago that still look great with not a hint of chipping that have never been touched up. Try it for yourself. Rattle can one hub and PC the other one and see how they hold up. Maybe I'll do that next dune season. I have an extra set of R hubs in the garage. :lol:

did not know you could. good info!!!!

[ebecme01]

It all depends on the trike guys. If you buy a trike that was spray painted top to bottom, it was probably cheap. If the previous owner paid to have every part powder coated, you wont be able to get him to sell it reasonably. In a way, I'm glad for the can nots in the trike world, thats how i get stuff cheap. I have a all original klt160 and bought it as an extra for $80, the wheels were starting to rust and YES I spray painted them. The bike isnt worth the work or money to PC them. But if I had a 85R, I would spend some cash making it sweet. Anyone ever done a patch job on their car and bought the little can of paint to match it up? I sure have. I dont happen to have a paint booth, and a whole car paint job is 2-4K done right. I agree that prep is important, and I recommend people to not spray a fuel tank or plastics but if you do its cool too, Im just happy to see another 3 wheeler when I show up at the trails.

[Bryan Raffa]

the bottom of my MX bike is riddled with chips in the PC ,, I have layed for hours with a model paint brush .. and PJ1 touching it up..:crazy: :lol:

[Frankencelery]

Ok, so some good points have been made about using paint. I use a spray can when I have to, but mostly I try to avoid painting at all, because i know that spray paint is ultimately disappointing. So my question is this: is it reasonable for a DIY'er to do their own powder coating? Does anybody here do it? I know you can use a regular oven (not the one you cook food in...c'mon) to cure the paint, and Harbor Freight has a powder coating gun for $70, which I'm sure is for very small projects. Is this a possible alternative to spending big bucks to send parts off to a pro?

[racerxxx]

Ok, so some good points have been made about using paint. I use a spray can when I have to, but mostly I try to avoid painting at all, because i know that spray paint is ultimately disappointing. So my question is this: is it reasonable for a DIY'er to do their own powder coating? Does anybody here do it? I know you can use a regular oven (not the one you cook food in...c'mon) to cure the paint, and Harbor Freight has a powder coating gun for $70, which I'm sure is for very small projects. Is this a possible alternative to spending big bucks to send parts off to a pro?


Franken,

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?p=752967#post752967

Then click the link in my post and you can see some of the stuff I did with my Eastwood gun and a regular oven, some guys even use toaster ovens for the real small parts. Dirtcrasher, Honda250SX, and I'm sure a few others or more do it as well. It's a very addicting hobby, when I first got it a few months ago, I was powdering everthing in sight just to learn. Research it to learn and once again PREP is key. The best part is you can get in relatively low budget, and get quality results. I'm no pro at it but my results have been way above my expectations and I'm really impressed by it. Dirtcrasher in this thread gives a breakdown on his investment.:naughty:

[Gag_Halfront]

Incestuous? LOL!

I painted the frame on my t3 with a rattle can. It looks pretty decent and yes. I took everything apart and painted the individual pieces separately. It won't hold up, but it looks OK for now. The guy before me painted the plastics and tank. I _HATE_ painted plastics. It looks like crap, it's chipping, the paint on the tank is bubbling.... It's junk. The current build with the spray painted frame is my "phase one" build. "Phase two" will include powder coat and brand new plastics. Phase two will require some saving so in the mean time, a decent quality paint job just to make it last a season will have to do.

The wheels on my 70 are getting paint from a rattle can but for a completely different reason. My 70 is a ghetto piece of trash. I bought it for a hand full of loose change. There's nothing nice about it. I didn't even prep the wheels. I wiped them with my hand to get the thickest dirt off and sprayed 'em. I may end up doing the whole bike that way just for the hell of it.

The Tecate will end up powder coated when I save up the money. The 70 never will. Different bikes, different purposes, different approaches. The T3 is an expensive investment. It's job is to go fast and look good. The 70 is a pile of parts that basically fit together. Its job is to get ridden in the dark by drunk men 150 pounds to big for it and probably get crashed a lot. Maybe some day I'll decide to make the 70 look good too. When that day comes, we'll think about a quality finish.