Best way to repaint a seat cowl...? and fix the back rack

swanker · 10-12-2012, 07:06 AM

I have an orange/red seat cowl from an '83 R80 RT and "want to paint it black, No colours anymore I want them to turn black".
I figured I'd just rough it up with some sand paper and rattle can it with maybe a semi-gloss top coat for now.
But I have grand plans ya see, and also have a tank to strip, seal and paint. I figured why the hell not do the frame as well this winter so what is the proper way to repaint the plastic like seat cowls?

Here is an example of the exact seat and cowl I have:

Also, one of the tubes on the my back rack is broken.
Is it worth repairing or should I just ditch it/get a new one?

TINK · 10-12-2012, 08:20 AM

"so what is the proper way to repaint the plastic like seat cowls?"
Are you sure your seat cowl is plastic (or fiberglass)?
My 1979 R100RT seat cowl is steel.

TINK

TINK · 10-12-2012, 08:24 AM

As for the rack "BAGGAGE PORTER" you might want to see if it can be welded as a new one is $123.

52 53 1 240 128 BAGGAGE PORTER - BLACK MATT $123.15

TINK

TINK · 10-12-2012, 08:29 AM

If your seat cowl is made from the same stuff my side covers and fenders are made of it's a PITA to paint these as it takes many many coats of primer to seal this stuff properly, it's very porous.
Example of what not to do...

TINK

DaveBall · 10-12-2012, 09:03 AM

The seat cowl is metal, thin stuff, but it is metal. Remove the seat from the cowl. Remove the back rack from the cowl. Bead blast all the paint and crap off the rack, then have it rewelded and powder coated. Original paint for the rack should be a satin black, but gloss looks good as well. I have seen a few that have been chromed which would offset it nice from an all black seat and cowl.

Oh, and the original paint on your cowl is called Lava Red, but lots of Americans called it Red Smoke. It is a VERY expensive paint job to replicate.

As to painting the plastic side covers, preparation is a big thing and ensuring that you wipe it down with proper stuff just prior to painting. Then again use the proper paint for plastic. If doing rattle can stuff, I have found Krylon works quite well, but you have to build it up slowly with lots of coats, and keep everything as dust free as possible.

headtube · 10-12-2012, 11:34 AM

I just had my baggage porter rack powder coated. Mine was in sketchy condition as yours is. Have a Welder repair that damage. Should be $20-$30, then find a powder guy. Semi-gloss black is what I did. A nice finish between gloss and satin. Order some new plastic plugs for the ends and It'll look like new.

10-12-2012, 07:06 AM	#1
swanker ^OP Shadetree Tinkerer Joined: Jul 2012 Location: Columbus, Ohio Oddometer: 59	Best way to repaint a seat cowl...? and fix the back rack I have an orange/red seat cowl from an '83 R80 RT and "want to paint it black, No colours anymore I want them to turn black". I figured I'd just rough it up with some sand paper and rattle can it with maybe a semi-gloss top coat for now. But I have grand plans ya see, and also have a tank to strip, seal and paint. I figured why the hell not do the frame as well this winter so what is the proper way to repaint the plastic like seat cowls? Here is an example of the exact seat and cowl I have: Also, one of the tubes on the my back rack is broken. Is it worth repairing or should I just ditch it/get a new one?

10-12-2012, 08:24 AM	#3
TINK Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: So Cal Oddometer: 482	Baggage porter As for the rack "BAGGAGE PORTER" you might want to see if it can be welded as a new one is $123. 52 53 1 240 128 BAGGAGE PORTER - BLACK MATT $123.15 TINK

10-12-2012, 08:29 AM	#4
TINK Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: So Cal Oddometer: 482	Painting Plastic If your seat cowl is made from the same stuff my side covers and fenders are made of it's a PITA to paint these as it takes many many coats of primer to seal this stuff properly, it's very porous. Example of what not to do... TINK

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10-12-2012, 08:20 AM	#2
TINK Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: So Cal Oddometer: 482	"so what is the proper way to repaint the plastic like seat cowls?" Are you sure your seat cowl is plastic (or fiberglass)? My 1979 R100RT seat cowl is steel. TINK

10-12-2012, 09:03 AM	#5
DaveBall Studly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Vancouver Island Oddometer: 919	The seat cowl is metal, thin stuff, but it is metal. Remove the seat from the cowl. Remove the back rack from the cowl. Bead blast all the paint and crap off the rack, then have it rewelded and powder coated. Original paint for the rack should be a satin black, but gloss looks good as well. I have seen a few that have been chromed which would offset it nice from an all black seat and cowl. Oh, and the original paint on your cowl is called Lava Red, but lots of Americans called it Red Smoke. It is a VERY expensive paint job to replicate. As to painting the plastic side covers, preparation is a big thing and ensuring that you wipe it down with proper stuff just prior to painting. Then again use the proper paint for plastic. If doing rattle can stuff, I have found Krylon works quite well, but you have to build it up slowly with lots of coats, and keep everything as dust free as possible.

10-12-2012, 11:34 AM	#6
headtube Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2012 Location: Toronto Oddometer: 135	I just had my baggage porter rack powder coated. Mine was in sketchy condition as yours is. Have a Welder repair that damage. Should be $20-$30, then find a powder guy. Semi-gloss black is what I did. A nice finish between gloss and satin. Order some new plastic plugs for the ends and It'll look like new.