DIY bodywork restoration
 

Hi to all and thanks in advance for any replies.

As a new owner of a old '89 cbr I pretty quickly got the urge to repaint the old girl. I liked the gloss black paint scheme it came with but I didnt really like the finish as I came to see the flaws in the previous paint job etc. I have spent quite a few hours sanding and glueing only to keep discovering more cracks. I guess I am midway in my restoration. It is a much bigger job then I have thought. I love this bike and just want her looking first rate. the engine is sound except for the usual cam chain rattle at start up.

Anybody out there attempted anything similar? I wouldnt mind knowing whether people use plastic welding our epoxy glue for cracks - is the welding impact resistant? I have uncovered fibreglass bandages, welding in places and also glue - 'mutton dressed as lamb' unfortunately...

ozrider

RE: DIY bodywork restoration
 

Any Epoxy/Fibreglass stuff has never worked for me. It justs seems to crack again. Plastic welding is still holding.

I am tempted to paint her in Matt Back. :)

RE: DIY bodywork restoration
 

Def. go with plastic welding. I did a complete restore of my plastics and I did go with the Flat black look also. Easy to take care of and easy to touch up. Besides, NO ONE knows what kind of bike it is!!:D I have heard everything from Ducati to CBR 600F Even heard " It has to be a gixxer, look at the headlight!![8D]

RE: DIY bodywork restoration
 

harbor freight sells a plastic welder for around $40 works great you need an air compressor to use it part #41692-orfa

RE: DIY bodywork restoration
 

I have gone the plastic welding for most of the serious damage but I keep finding little cracks that don't warrant me spending $$$. I have discovered both a epoxy that cures flexible and is impact resistant and something called abs cement which is used for "welding" abs piping etc. anybody heard or used this abs cement?

RE: DIY bodywork restoration
 

Well I have given up on finding any abs cement, I've gone plastic welding on all the cracks. I also bought a dremmel for griding welds back. I am plastic priming and soon to be putting on the spray putty - next the two pack deep gloss black. It is a pretty big job if you want it to be purrfect. I am only sad that I don't get to ride it for so long.