Pannier Paint Job?

[SpudRider]

I'm not in any hurry, but I have toyed with the idea before the RX3 bikes even arrived, of painting the panniers all black. Some Krylon Fusion Spray Paint would do an excellent job, I'm sure. :)

http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion-for-plastic/

I don't really dislike the silver color, but is painted over the plastic, which is molded black. ;) The silver paint is bound to fade, but the black Krylon Fusion paint will blend into the color molded into the plastic at the factory. :tup:

Indeed, many of the bikes exported to other countries come with completely black panniers. What do you guys think? ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3606_zpsnj4cbnm3.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3606_zpsnj4cbnm3.jpg.html)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605blackluggage%20-%20Copy_zpsm6lqmpnd.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605blackluggage%20-%20Copy_zpsm6lqmpnd.jpg.html)

[oldqwerty]

No black. Years of Harley riding posers have made black a joke. Paint to match the bike.

[Weldangrind]

Perhaps you could try removing some of the paint in an inconspicuous area, with a dab of brake fluid.

I'm not big on the silver, either.

[SpudRider]

No black. Years of Harley riding posers have made black a joke. Paint to match the bike.

Thanks for your input. :)

[SpudRider]

Perhaps you could try removing some of the paint in an inconspicuous area, with a dab of brake fluid...

That's a great idea! :)

[SpudRider]

Wait a second...these aren't Harley Davidsons. :wtf:

http://www.chinamotorworld.com/files.upload/zongsheng/1.jpg

http://images.ua.prom.st/64403324_w640_h2048_6.jpg?PIMAGE_ID=64403324

http://content.onliner.by/forum/1bd/05d/607051/800x800/3d6fef726c0002732b2928719ca844ee.jpg

http://www.ua.all.biz/img/ua/catalog/3954354.jpg

:hehe:

[SpudRider]

This isn't a Harley Davidson, either. ;)

http://ybrclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=42437&stc=1&d=1379185872

[Weldangrind]

I do like the black panniers.

[SpudRider]

I do like the black panniers.

I do also. :) The fake aluminum paint on the RX3 panniers is okay, but it will almost certainly degrade with age. That's why I prefer having the color molded into the plastic, instead of having the plastic painted. ;) I think your suggestion of removing the aluminum paint with brake fluid is a good idea.

[G19Tony]

I'm not in any hurry, but I have toyed with the idea before the RX3 bikes even arrived, of painting the panniers all black. Some Krylon Fusion Spray Paint would do an excellent job, I'm sure. :)

http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion-for-plastic/

I don't really dislike the silver color, but is painted over the plastic, which is molded black. ;) The silver paint is bound to fade, but the black Krylon Fusion paint will blend into the color molded into the plastic at the factory. :tup:

Indeed, many of the bikes exported to other countries come with completely black panniers. What do you guys think? ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3606_zpsnj4cbnm3.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3606_zpsnj4cbnm3.jpg.html)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605blackluggage_zpsredwjm41.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605blackluggage_zpsredwjm41.jpg.html)

I pulled the CSC sticker off the top box, and part of the silver paint came right off. I'd reckon a little MEK, and all the paint will be gone.

[No1Vic]

I prefer the silver panniers, makes the bike more visible from the side. I plan to put a strip of reflective tape where the "brand" logo was stuck to them.......Do I use reflective silver or amber?

[SpudRider]

I pulled the CSC sticker off the top box, and part of the silver paint came right off. I'd reckon a little MEK, and all the paint will be gone.

Thanks for the tip, Tony. :)

[SpudRider]

I prefer the silver panniers, makes the bike more visible from the side. I plan to put a strip of reflective tape where the "brand" logo was stuck to them.......Do I use reflective silver or amber?

I agree. My one reservation for removing the silver paint is the reduction in conspicuity to other motorists. ;) However, some reflective tape will work much better at night than the silver paint. :)

Are there laws in England regarding the color of the reflective tape on the side of a motorcycle? If not, I think either color will serve you well. :)

[No1Vic]

Probably wiser to use amber reflective tape on the side as a 'legal' jobsworth might argue white should only be shown at the front.... still amber will balance the reflector fitted to the front forks :-)

[G19Tony]

I prefer the silver panniers, makes the bike more visible from the side. I plan to put a strip of reflective tape where the "brand" logo was stuck to them.......Do I use reflective silver or amber?

I put a strip of reflective tape on the silver portion of the panniers. I tried to put tape on the bottom of the top box, but nothing would stick. :wtf:

[Weldangrind]

Probably wiser to use amber reflective tape on the side as a 'legal' jobsworth might argue white should only be shown at the front.... still amber will balance the reflector fitted to the front forks :-)

In my area, a vehicle (or trailer) that is viewed from the side must have amber at the front and red at the rear, allowing others to approximate the total vehicle length. When viewed from behind, the turn signals may be amber or red.

[Weldangrind]

I put a strip of reflective tape on the silver portion of the panniers. I tried to put tape on the bottom of the top box, but nothing would stick. :wtf:

Perhaps an actual reflector that mounts with a stud and nut would be a good plan.

[No1Vic]

Colour matched instead of silver panniers? Maybe a bit too much orange ;-)

[SpudRider]

I did a similar photoshop image with orange, but I guess I just like basic black. ;) However, I am going to add reflective tape to the center of the side panel on each pannier. :)

[oldqwerty]

Hmmmm? The black does look better on an adventure bike than on a 'tater-whumper.

Maybe you can find some good retroreflective to match the paint at http://www.signwarehouse.com/

[Weldangrind]

Hmmmm? The black does look better on an adventure bike than on a 'tater-whumper.

That shows real growth, OQ.

:D

[No1Vic]

Now there's a thought oldqwerty, respray the bike in the same shade of orange but with a reflective base paint, how visible would that be at night......

[jimjr21]

I put a strip of reflective tape on the silver portion of the panniers. I tried to put tape on the bottom of the top box, but nothing would stick. :wtf:

Most plastics have a mold release on them from manufacturing. Try acetone to clean the plastic and see if you can get something to stick (like tape) then apply reflective material.

[JTHSPACE]

You can, of course, get 3M Black Reflective Tape for the panniers; it reflects white at night, so legally (in the UK) it can only be used on the front and side of the vehicle.

Jeff

[JTHSPACE]

Perhaps an actual reflector that mounts with a stud and nut would be a good plan.

You can get red and yellow small round reflectors with stud and nut with LED bulbs inside to act as side lights and/or indicators / tail-stop lights fitted to panniers, topbox, fairings etc. Really cheap on eBay.

Marker Lights (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Colors-LED-Round-Reflector-Brake-Stop-Marker-Light-Indicator-Truck-Trailer-Van-/281523847252?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item418c210054)

Jeff

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac281/jthspace/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-21%20at%2016.03.22.png (http://s908.photobucket.com/user/jthspace/media/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-21%20at%2016.03.22.png.html)

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac281/jthspace/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-21%20at%2016.03.05.png (http://s908.photobucket.com/user/jthspace/media/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-21%20at%2016.03.05.png.html)

[Weldangrind]

Most plastics have a mold release on them from manufacturing. Try acetone to clean the plastic and see if you can get something to stick (like tape) then apply reflective material.

I'd try acetone in an inconspicuous place first, to ensure that it doesn't harm the plastic. You might be better off with lacquer thinner or alcohol.

[jimjr21]

Acetone test

Acetone will continue to dissolve the plastic indefinitely. Minimal color change. Used a cloth towel and by rubbing the surface finish changed a lot. Much much smoother.

I will test more chemicals to see what cleans the best for basic sticker adhesion.

[rjmorel]

Spud, I've been eyeballing them also but was going to paint just the "square X " a school bus yellow or sky blue to add more color . Would give the rear end more visibility and gives the caggers something to aim for :))))))
Spud, how do you edit your pic to blacken out the silver? What program or software do you use? I'm smelling a coloring contest here to make a cool looking RX3.
I've been wanting to tiger stripe mine like the old Triumph Tigers from early 2000s.
rj

[SpudRider]

...Spud, how do you edit your pic to blacken out the silver? What program or software do you use? I'm smelling a coloring contest here to make a cool looking RX3.
I've been wanting to tiger stripe mine like the old Triumph Tigers from early 2000s.
rj

I don't want to buy Photoshop, so I use a free program called Gimp 2. :)

[No1Vic]

Here you go Rjmorel....

[DanKearney]

Colour matched instead of silver panniers? Maybe a bit too much orange ;-)

What about if you just did the embossed section in the bike's color and the rest in black?

Cheers,

Dan K.

[SpudRider]

What about if you just did the embossed section in the bike's color and the rest in black?

Cheers,

Dan K.

That is an interesting idea. Thanks for posting your input. :)

[No1Vic]

Here you go Dan K

[Weldangrind]

That is a sharp look.

[No1Vic]

It does seem to balance up the fork guards and to me makes the bike look longer.

[SpudRider]

Indeed, that is an excellent suggestion, and looks very good. :tup: I will seriously consider this option, along with basic black. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605blackluggage%20-%20Copy_zpsm6lqmpnd.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605blackluggage%20-%20Copy_zpsm6lqmpnd.jpg.html)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605embossed%20orange_zpsfogxn1gc.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3605embossed%20orange_zpsfogxn1gc.jpg.html)

For comparison, here is the color scheme of the stock pannier. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3606_zpsnj4cbnm3.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3606_zpsnj4cbnm3.jpg.html)

[Weldangrind]

It's funny how out of place the stock panniers look to me, after seeing the photoshop options.

[SpudRider]

Painting the embossed area of black panniers is starting to appeal most to me. :) I not only like the appearance, I think the black background also enhances the visibility of the painted area of the pannier. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3631%20orange%20embossed%20crystal_zpsvuntrvbh .jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3631%20orange%20embossed%20crystal_zpsvuntrvbh .jpg.html)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3631_zpsyw9ciuae.jpg (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/spudrider/media/Zongshen%20RX3/DSCF3631_zpsyw9ciuae.jpg.html)

[SpudRider]

Incidentally, I tried to remove the silver paint with the pannier with some brake fluid; it didn't work. :ohno: Rather than risking damage to the plastic with a more aggressive solvent, I have decided to paint the panniers black with Krylon Fusion spray paint. Then I will probably paint the embossed area of the panniers with orange spray paint. :)

[Weldangrind]

Did you allow the brake fluid to remain on the paint for a minute, before wiping it off?

[SpudRider]

Yes, I waited ten minutes, and the brake fluid didn't seem to have any effect whatsoever. :shrug:

[rjmorel]

I think the silver pannier sides were an attempt to give it the allusion of aluminum panniers.
rj

[SpudRider]

I agree, I think that is the reason for the silver paint. ;)

[Weldangrind]

They fooled me. I thought they were aluminum, until this thread started.

[keithmaine]

Spud

did you ever actually do the paint job?

[peperino]

Is the silver thing really paint? I thought it was a decal

[SpudRider]

Spud

did you ever actually do the paint job?

No, I am waiting for the cold weather, and the end of the riding season. ;)

[SpudRider]

Is the silver thing really paint? I thought it was a decal

Yes, the silver area is definitely painted.

[ElkSlayer]

Spud, I know this is an old thread, but it is new to me!;) How 'bout trying some oven cleaner to remove the paint? My buddy in Moscow had his Honda stolen and when the police recovered it, the thief had painted it black. We put some oven cleaner on it and took that paint off after sitting just a few minutes.

Jim

[SpudRider]

No thread is too old to revive, Jim. ;) Thanks for tell me about the oven cleaner. :tup: Will oven cleaner harm plastic? :hmm:

[Weldangrind]

It might. I'd try a small amount in an inconspicuous area.

It works wonders for removing anodized coatings from aluminum.

[ElkSlayer]

No thread is too old to revive, Jim. ;) Thanks for tell me about the oven cleaner. :tup: Will oven cleaner harm plastic? :hmm:

Did not appear to, we gave it a good rinsing when we were done. Like previous poster said, try a small spot, rinse, and check out.

[SpudRider]

It might. I'd try a small amount in an inconspicuous area.

It works wonders for removing anodized coatings from aluminum.

Did not appear to, we gave it a good rinsing when we were done. Like previous poster said, try a small spot, rinse, and check out.

Thank you, gentlemen. :)

[keithmaine]

I believe I will try the all black look myself and along with decalification