Hey guys, I'm completely stripping down some nikkis for a rebuild, have hit the first one with degreaser and it came up okay but I'd still like a nicer finish. So I'm thinking of hitting the EXTERIOR ONLY of the throttle body and main body with high temperature engine paint. And possibly the air horn as well, although I think it looks good enough already - the aluminium comes up alright once cleaned.

Anyway can anyone give some advice on this - is it a good idea, will the paint run, do I need to prepare the surface, etc.. I'm not going to touch any of the interior with paint (e.g. anywhere that comes into contact with fuel). It's purely for external finish.

I've looked at Sterling's site and his process seems very involved and beyond my budget, I just want something simple that works and will last. Thanks

Few pics to show:

 

powder coating would be better. don't know how well paint will stick to it.

 

Paint would probably stick if you put primer on first, but definitely powder coating would last much longer.

 

Hmmmm. I don't know. Nikki's are so damn beautiful au natural, why bother with the paint?

 

Soon as I get the remaining materials, I'm planning on the same thing, but I'll be anodizing mine. Black I think, depends, maybe I'll do a few different colors on different carbs to see how it looks. It's fuel proof and actually makes the outside more durable as well. Not sure where youd find it, but we used to use a "zinc oxide" primer on bare metal that was going into the oil fields. It bonds better and prevents rust/corrosion etc. Used to be a lime green color.

 

Im actually thinking about polishing up a parts carb I have with some Mother's polish. I hope it turns out good.

 

A full-polish Nikki would look sweet, but that's a LOT of work; all nooks and crannies!

 

I was going to post some pictures of a Nikki I knew that took well to body paint, but decided not to as I do not want to get banned.

 

..

 

well now you must post, i wanna know what about it would get you banned :P j/k.

 

Ohh maybe he means a girl called Nikki?

 

i googled naked nikki for fun one day. no carbs showed up, but i wasn't disappointed.

 

hear you Ray - but since there's virtually NO way to keep our Naked Beauties clean and corrosion free, it would be great if something like... Duplicolor's engine clear coat would seal them up and make them easier to keep up....
??

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

For the natural look, select the cleanest parts you have. Degrease them fully. Rinse them fully. Heat dry them FULLY. Blast with baking soda, and rinse in very hot water, several (SEVERAL) times. Heat dry FULLY.
Now, clear coat the **** outta everything, waiting a few hours in between coats for the best, most durable, satisfying, cleanest, bubble-free finish.
Any shortcuts (ANY), and you're only going to have mediocre results.

Engine paint can make even the worst pitted boat anchor look decent. Finish with clear coat when it's all assembled.

Warn buyers NOT (NOT!!!) to ever use ether or carb cleaner searching for vacuum leaks, etc. It WILL disolve the paint and make it run.

Don't think for a second that powder coating is better in that regards. Solvents cause the acrylic to bubble like the final days of a bad sunburn!

Plate if you can, but it really sucks to do! Hard to get it right & consistent, and your chems always get contaminated sooner than you think no matter how carefully you try.
Clear coat after plating to keep it fresh looking.

 

Hmm okay thanks for that Sterling. Maybe I'll just hit the outside of the throttle body and main body, and leave the air horn alone.. just get a uniform silver look, and if the paint does run, at least its not going into the engine. Was also considering powder coating but not any more.. Will see if I can get a pic up once I've done one =)