Repaint your motorcycle frame: our tips

Scratches, bumps, rust ... Repaint your motorcycle frame the best way to give it a new perfect look. In the garage, the price of such a service ranges from 200 to 800 euros. Fortunately, this is a task you can do yourself. Not only will you save money, but you can also add something of your own.

We offer you all the useful tips for preparing and painting your motorcycle frame in the best conditions!

Step 1. Disassemble the motorcycle.

To be able to paint a motorcycle frame, you need to start with dismantle all the elements that make up the car : tank, wheels, swingarm, fairings, fork, crankcase, exhaust, saddle, footrests, etc. It is generally recommended to always start with the tank as it is easiest to remove.

Do not forget to put all screws in a plastic bag or in boxes showing their origin when removing. This will help you find yourself when you have to put everything together.

If you are in doubt about your memory, do not hesitate to photograph each stage of the dismantling.

Step 2: remove the frame from the motorcycle.

This is an important step as it depends on the quality of the final rendering of your painting. Indeed, if the surface you intend to work on is not perfectly smooth, your paint may be uneven.

Also, use sandpaper to wipe the frame surface in a circular motion until the old paint is out of sight. You can easily find sandpaper at DIY or hardware stores.

When the metal is completely exposed, wipe the frame with a clean rag. Make sure there is no more dust. then apply a degreaser.

Step 3: smooth out the motorcycle frame with putty.

To ensure that you are working on a perfectly smooth and level surface, apply a layer of putty to the treated surface. The layer under consideration should not exceed half a millimeter in thickness. Therefore, it is recommended to do several applications in small quantities until the desired result is obtained.

After an hour or more, if the sealant layer has dried, perform a second polishing with emery paper. If the surface is perfectly smooth, your motorcycle frame is ready for painting.

However, before actually painting, apply first two coats of epoxy primer per frame following the instructions on the primer box. Once dry, buff gently with a 2-grit dry and damp sandpaper, then wipe off with a cloth lightly dampened with solvent. This will protect your paint from rust and moisture.

Step 4: paint the motorcycle frame

After thoroughly mixing paint and thinner, load a spray gun and apply 4 coats of paint per frame your motorcycle. Leave to dry every time between two applications. After the third coat, if completely dry, polish the surface with wet and dry 2-grit sandpaper, then wipe with a clean cloth. After that, apply the fourth and final coat of paint.

Step 5: finish

To protect the painting, but also for optimal rendering, complete it in apply two coats of varnish to the frame your motorcycle. There is a certain pause between the first and second coats, do not hesitate to refer to the instructions on your varnish box.

If at this stage you notice any imperfections on the paintwork of your motorcycle, sand the appropriate surface and then apply a coat of varnish.