Black frame paint

[SCD1]

Hello
I am new to bike restoration and have a question about the sheen of the black frame paint.
I picked up a 1977 xs650d barn find a couple of weeks ago. It was a mouse hotel for 18 years.

I fixed the electrical system, got the 1/4" inch of varnish out of the tank and carbs.
I set up the ignition and tried to start it. It fired but barely ran. After I figured out that the exhaust was filled with birdseed from the tips of the mufflers to the exhaust ports it ran fine.

Now that I have a mechanicly sound bike I want to touch up the frame. Is the frame painted a semi gloss black or gloss black?

Thanks
Steve

 

[jtrip72]

Man. You worried about gloss or semi-gloss on the frame? This bike must be in great shape. How about some pics? Welcome to the forum.

 

[fredintoon]

Hi Steve and welcome,
FWIW my Heritage Special's frame came in semi-gloss.
But I'm with jtrip, the frame paint has to be just about last in the "what's important?" list

 

[madjap]

I think semi-gloss would be the way to go to match a factory type finish. If you can find an epoxy-base it will be tougher. Depends on your needs I reckon...

 

[gggGary]

For frame touch up I have tried both semi and gloss but mostly use spray can gloss applied with an artists brush, wait a couple of days then rub, blend with blue magic or fine rubbing compound it looks like factory. The semi never ends up blending as well.

High build fleet black is good paint for this.

Every bike I touch gets at least a little of this work done. The factory paint usually misses some slots and joints, the brush work hides those little bands of rust.

 

[SCD1]

Thanks for your info.
I am going to use my airbrush to blend the frame paint. I don't know what the important stuff is, but when I restore an antique car or truck I always start from the frame up.

Thanks for the info again.
Steve

 

[Norton7d]

For frame touch up I have tried both semi and gloss but mostly use spray can gloss applied with an artists brush, wait a couple of days then rub, blend with blue magic or fine rubbing compound it looks like factory. The semi never ends up blending as well.

High build fleet black is good paint for this.

Every bike I touch gets at least a little of this work done. The factory paint usually misses some slots and joints, the brush work hides those little bands of rust.

Old post here, Gary, what is blue magic?

 

[willis]

Blue Magic is a metal polish found at most auto parts retail stores. Mostly used to shine up your aluminum bits.

 

[gggGary]

Sold as metal polish, It's good stuff. The off label use is as a quick clean up and shine for PAINT! I've used it on LOTS of oxidized paint jobs car and motorcycle. Only work with soft rags by hand on paint, it's too aggressive for machine polishing. It's a medium grit, about like white buffing bar. It also contains a wax so leaves a bit of protection and really brings up the shine. Try it on some ugly paint you'll be impressed with how good it can look..

 

[Norton7d]

Ok, will give it a try, thanks

 

[aldo5468]

Hello
I am new to bike restoration and have a question about the sheen of the black frame paint.
I picked up a 1977 xs650d barn find a couple of weeks ago. It was a mouse hotel for 18 years.

I fixed the electrical system, got the 1/4" inch of varnish out of the tank and carbs.
I set up the ignition and tried to start it. It fired but barely ran. After I figured out that the exhaust was filled with birdseed from the tips of the mufflers to the exhaust ports it ran fine.

Now that I have a mechanicly sound bike I want to touch up the frame. Is the frame painted a semi gloss black or gloss black?

Thanks
Steve

I have found satin to be a very close match to frame paint on my '82, but after decades of who knows how much sun/weather exposure, you may have to experiment a bit. Personally, I think satin is best choice for frames, cuz you want the colored tin to draw attention, but that's just my opinion.