Theres only one panel left. The complicated, Darth Vaders TIE fighter inspired front fairing.
Because of it's complicated (in a nouveau-retro 90's way) shape, I decided to buck the trend and paint the front fairing. With only a large 'V' of carbon fibre vinyl, following the shape of the screen and carrying it to the headlights.
So I went through the arduous and hateful task of prepping for paint. Cut back with 600 grit wet and dry, mask and degrease.
[smg id=1303]
Then I foolishly tried to take a shortcut and bought Rustoleum's 'Universal' Paint which promises to not need any primer, stick like a needy Koala to a velcro tree and work on almost any surface. The unique 360 degree application system and ergonomic grip tickled my fancy too.
Initially it looked good. Rich, glossy black. (despite the unique application system being uniquely like blowing paint through a Capri Sun straw. more of a spatter than a spray).
[smg id=1304]
But it just didn't set. After a week it was still easy to scratch. even touching it left finger prints.
So after a brief spell with my friend and yours, Google, I half learned 2 lessons (because I don't know which is right, maybe both?! We'll never know).
1. Don't use this paint.
2. Don't try and paint when it's only 12 degrees in your garage. It may have just been too cold, even though I did move the panel indoors after painting.
SO, I made the laboured decision to cover the whole panel with carbon. I was initially afraid of overkill, but now I had no choice. If the painting failure was due to temperature, then history would repeat itself unless I waited til spring. But I'm impatient. In Spring I wanted to ride out of the garage, with the bike like a resplendent butterfly. Fluttering it's glorious velvet wings after a miraculous transformation in the cocoon. Over the top analogy, but I'm sure you inderstand.
The front fairing has too many corners and contours for someone of my newly developed skill level to attempt with one sheet of vinyl. So I laid out the seams with my new fave tool, wrapcut tape. Two rows where two sheets would meet, to create a neat butt joint. (Thanks Youtube!!)
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Then I took a deep breath, poured the coffee, peeled the backing and got stuck in.
[smg id=1306]
After more heating and stretching than I ever thought possible, and almost having to bin the whole sheet because of a misalignment in the early stages, I got to this:
[smg id=1307]
I used the Wrapcut tape to trim back all the vinyl, peeled out the excess and got on with the headlight holes. Much like the fuel filler, a LOT of stretching here.
[smg id=1308]
The seams went very well, considering this was a first time. But when I heated them to smooth down the edges after removing the excess and the wrapcut backing, they receded slightly. Not the end of the world, but not as tidy as I would like, and wide open to moisture and dirt ingress.
[smg id=1310]
I couldn't have that. SO with leftover black vinyl tape (which replaced the red pinstripe on the tank) I covered the joins.
[smg id=1311]
And with that, the carbon wrap was finished.
Because of it's complicated (in a nouveau-retro 90's way) shape, I decided to buck the trend and paint the front fairing. With only a large 'V' of carbon fibre vinyl, following the shape of the screen and carrying it to the headlights.
So I went through the arduous and hateful task of prepping for paint. Cut back with 600 grit wet and dry, mask and degrease.
[smg id=1303]
Then I foolishly tried to take a shortcut and bought Rustoleum's 'Universal' Paint which promises to not need any primer, stick like a needy Koala to a velcro tree and work on almost any surface. The unique 360 degree application system and ergonomic grip tickled my fancy too.
Initially it looked good. Rich, glossy black. (despite the unique application system being uniquely like blowing paint through a Capri Sun straw. more of a spatter than a spray).
[smg id=1304]
But it just didn't set. After a week it was still easy to scratch. even touching it left finger prints.
So after a brief spell with my friend and yours, Google, I half learned 2 lessons (because I don't know which is right, maybe both?! We'll never know).
1. Don't use this paint.
2. Don't try and paint when it's only 12 degrees in your garage. It may have just been too cold, even though I did move the panel indoors after painting.
SO, I made the laboured decision to cover the whole panel with carbon. I was initially afraid of overkill, but now I had no choice. If the painting failure was due to temperature, then history would repeat itself unless I waited til spring. But I'm impatient. In Spring I wanted to ride out of the garage, with the bike like a resplendent butterfly. Fluttering it's glorious velvet wings after a miraculous transformation in the cocoon. Over the top analogy, but I'm sure you inderstand.
The front fairing has too many corners and contours for someone of my newly developed skill level to attempt with one sheet of vinyl. So I laid out the seams with my new fave tool, wrapcut tape. Two rows where two sheets would meet, to create a neat butt joint. (Thanks Youtube!!)
[smg id=1305]
Then I took a deep breath, poured the coffee, peeled the backing and got stuck in.
[smg id=1306]
After more heating and stretching than I ever thought possible, and almost having to bin the whole sheet because of a misalignment in the early stages, I got to this:
[smg id=1307]
I used the Wrapcut tape to trim back all the vinyl, peeled out the excess and got on with the headlight holes. Much like the fuel filler, a LOT of stretching here.
[smg id=1308]
The seams went very well, considering this was a first time. But when I heated them to smooth down the edges after removing the excess and the wrapcut backing, they receded slightly. Not the end of the world, but not as tidy as I would like, and wide open to moisture and dirt ingress.
[smg id=1310]
I couldn't have that. SO with leftover black vinyl tape (which replaced the red pinstripe on the tank) I covered the joins.
[smg id=1311]
And with that, the carbon wrap was finished.
WATCH THIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQdQM825SMs