Anybody painted the plastic panels, as fitted to XB and 1125 ranges ?

Due to the demise of Buell, body panels may get costly, especially as the air scoops on 1125s double up as crash protectors. I for one would be very interested in a good how to, as to do it properly I'm sure that there's more to it than just getting out a rattle can !

got this off a custom painting forum...

Hi, ABS motorcycle panels dont need anything special as it is a rigid plastic. I prep bare plastic with 240 grit (good bite for primer)and use a 2k primer/filler. Never had any issues doing this. On other plastics i recommend a plastic primer, i use scott warren which is clear and goes on out the tin. Normal paint with no additives will be fine.
The only time i use additives is if the plastic is highly flexible but this is rare on OE manufacturer plastic.
Off road bikes can be different as they are normally Polypropylene and are dyed plastic as opposed to painted. These are felxable somewhat greasy/waxy plastics are are not the best for painting as even with adhesion promoters they can be liable tp peeling.
On the rear of the panel there is normally a molding stamp of some kind almost like a grid and near by will be an identifier as in
ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (bit of a mouthfull but good for painting)
PP polypropylene. (best not to paint)
PC polycarbonate (use promoter and additives)
PS polystyrene (use promoter)
PE (either HDPE or LDPE) polyethylene (dont usually make panels from this but some brackets/dirt shields. I tend not to paint this either)
There are a shed load of others but these are the common ones i have seen on motorcycles.
Hope that helps a bit.

Hi
I painted the plastics on my xb from black to candy orange with out any plastic primer, just used cellulose primer after etching the plastic with 240 grit paper,then 2pack mettalic silver,2pack candy orange, 2pack clear coat...2 winters and summer use and no signs of cracking or flaking...HTH

That's useful info
Any chance of someone sticking the Code description in the 'how to' section?

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

there is another way you can use conformable vinyl sheet just like you see on those taxis etc that are shrink wrapped in colourful logos and graphics.

if you had a white bike and wanted a black one use a conformable vinyl , then when your fed up change the colour again or use it to keep your original paintwork pristine. Or why not a carbon look tank

I've looked in to it and received samples , some nice black metallic , grey metallic etc available or really bling blue cobalt metalflake.
Use a hair dryer to conform the vinyl.
obviously a bit of practise on an old sidepanel or similar is advisable.
because the colour on the buells is moulded in you will not peel the paint off when you remove or make a mistake applying the vinyl.

May I just add that you can buy "plastic adhesion promoter" which is sprayed onto the plastic item before the primer. Its like a glue for the primer and it flexes with the plastic. Brilliant stuff. I use it before painting any plastic items, including bumper caps and all that. If the plastic is already painted just sand it to get a good surface and then prime and paint as normal.

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Illegitimi non carborundum

So, does anybody know what the Buell plastics are actually made of ?

XB plastics are of Surlyn, same stuff as the shells of golf balls.

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2006 XB12Ss..... 1998 S1W..... 1996 S2T
We do not need the help of our friends so much as confidence that they will help us when we need it. –Epicurus

I found this when out hunting...smurf-blue is an eye sore!! Hope it helps

http://www.buellforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=688