Blackout Look

[andrewhtf]

Originally Posted by Kawa007

I considered the option of the 2010 black plastics too. I checked on bikebandit.com and just to replace all red plastics it would total over 600$...I think it would be cheaper to have them painted in a pro paint shop. And if I go that route I'd probably have it painted charcoal instead of black.
Would look something like this:

[fasteddiecopeman]

If you want the 'boot-guards' black - don't forget that UNDER the silver paint they ARE black....

[Kawa007]

Originally Posted by fasteddiecopeman

If you want the 'boot-guards' black - don't forget that UNDER the silver paint they ARE black....

Yeah but try sanding it down and looking OEM...good luck

[twowheeladdict]

Originally Posted by Kawa007

I considered the option of the 2010 black plastics too. I checked on bikebandit.com and just to replace all red plastics it would total over 600$...

If Kawasaki brings back green in the '10+ design I will spend $480 for new plastics in a heartbeat.

[Zatx]

Ahhhh that is what I did wrong. I did many thin coats like you would do with spray paint. I wondered why you said you did two coats and used 1.5 cans. I did like six coats with that same 1.5 cans.

Well if I do it over again... thick it is!

[Kawa007]

If my memory is correct, it says on the can something like you need to spray enough for the surface to look wet. And once you do that you'll freak out cause the surface will be full of tiny bubbles and look rough...but I think it's just the solvents from the material evaporating (do wear a mask) and as it dries the bubbles disappears and the surfaces tightens and become soft, yet still rubbery. 30+ minutes later it's ready for another thick coat. With thin coats it dries too quickly so it doesnt have time to smooth out before drying so you get a very rough surface and also makes it harder to peal then when you have 2-3 thick coats.

[Tigerpawed]

You don't realize how fkking ugly the OEM Versys seat is until you see a replacement like the Seat Concepts, etc. The OEM seat looks like it has an IKEA plastic seat cover on it, the pillion looks like it has a mini-pillow stuffed under it.

I may try the plastic dip on some parts. Thanks all for sharing your ideas and work.

[Kawa007]

Originally Posted by Tigerpawed

You don't realize how fkking ugly the OEM Versys seat is until you see a replacement like the Seat Concepts, etc. The OEM seat looks like it has an IKEA plastic seat cover on it, the pillion looks like it has a mini-pillow stuffed under it.

I may try the plastic dip on some parts. Thanks all for sharing your ideas and work.

If this is the picture you're referring to, it was modified by an upholsterer. I specifically asked him to keep the OEM look, but he padded the crap out of it. That's what made me take the step of ordering the Seat Concept. 100 times more comfortable, and one of the best looking seats out there also (and cheapest!).

Here is the Concept Seat on my bike.

[Tigerpawed]

Seat Concepts totally changes the look for the better.

[drdiesel1]

Originally Posted by DudeMang

I like the finish of the paint you used. Can you tell me what it is?

I would like to do the same on my black V.

Sure! It's made by Rust-Oleum and it's called Specialty Textured Plastic. The cap was black. It's great because you don't need primer. Just spray it on from about 1 foot away and it makes a nice factory finish without streaking or runs. I did it 3 coats. I only used 3/4 of a can. The can says Direct to plastic paint.

Here's an image of the can.

[drdiesel1]

My bike has a Baldwin leather seat It came with it. The previous owner did the gear change, seat, rear shock and Givi windscreen.

[naudan]

Originally Posted by Zatx

Ahhhh that is what I did wrong. I did many thin coats like you would do with spray paint. I wondered why you said you did two coats and used 1.5 cans. I did like six coats with that same 1.5 cans.

Well if I do it over again... thick it is!

What color did you guys use?

[Kawa007]

Plasti Dip Spray can, black.

[naudan]

Originally Posted by Kawa007

Plasti Dip Spray can, black.

Thanks .. didn't know if it was "Gun metal" or "matte black" or something else.

Looks like a simple $15 project that really makes the bike pop more

[Kawa007]

I dont know of any different blacks. Its either black or they have a few other colors like yellow white, etc...but the black is matte black.

Just make sure you clean the surface well with alcohol. Without sanding or priming, shoot thick layers of the plasti-dip (if you shoot thin layers like you would with normal paint, you'll end up with a very rough surface). And don't worry you'll see a bit of bubbles when you end your first coat, but as it dries those bubbles disappear and the surface evens out, if surface doesnt look wet when you apply it, it means you haven't sprayed enough. Apply 2-3 coats waiting enough between each coat as indicated on the can. Make sure you have fresh air where you shoot just like with you would with any other paint, and you should also wear a simple painter's mask (its like 2-3$). And then BAM instant OEM look in a can:

Here I did the radiator sides and the plastic above the pegs. See how they blend in with the engine cover.

[naudan]

Originally Posted by Kawa007

I dont know of any different blacks. Its either black or they have a few other colors like yellow white, etc...but the black is matte black.

Just make sure you clean the surface well with alcohol. Without sanding or priming, shoot thick layers of the plasti-dip (if you shoot thin layers like you would with normal paint, you'll end up with a very rough surface). And don't worry you'll see a bit of bubbles when you end your first coat, but as it dries those bubbles disappear and the surface evens out, if surface doesnt look wet when you apply it, it means you haven't sprayed enough. Apply 2-3 coats waiting enough between each coat as indicated on the can. Make sure you have fresh air where you shoot just like with you would with any other paint, and you should also wear a simple painter's mask (its like 2-3$). And then BAM instant OEM look in a can:

Here I did the radiator sides and the plastic above the pegs. See how they blend in with the engine cover.

You them man! Thanks

In the video from the company - they said do 5 coats. This was a video on doing a motorcycle too.

2 cans is plenty?

[Kawa007]

with 2 cans you should have enough. you can add more then 2 layers, but so far with my experiences Ive had with this product, 2 thick coats is enough. I did the fork protectors on my MT-01 and after a summer they still look like new. And if it gets scuffed or whatever later down the road you can just clean and shoot another coat on top. Pretty easy stuff to deal with. Just make sure you dont spray thin coats 5 good coats possibly makes it bulletproof.

[Kawa007]

And they also have cans of plasti dip when you actually want to dip parts in it. I just did these on my bike lift yesterday. You dip 3 times and you're good to go:

Will offer extra protection to the swingarm when dropping the bike off the lift.

[MTS]

Originally Posted by drdiesel1

Picked up a 2011 in red and did a little blackout work on the plastics.

I really like the Black 2012 and wanted this one to look similar

I think that looks great!

What is that paint for plastics called again? plasti-dip?

[cyclesarge]

Originally Posted by Zatx

I did the black out trick to my 11V as well.

Used 1 and a half cans of black Plasti-dip. I love the look.

I'm not 100% sold on the use of the Plasti-dip though. It is a great way of painting your plastics so you can see how a color combination will look because it is reversible (you can peel it off), but... you can peel it off. Which means rocks, sticks, bugs, etc can do the same (in theory). I've had it done for a few weeks now and I don't have knicks or spots in the coating yet so my fears may be unfounded.

The problem I do have with it though is cleaning. It is a rough texture so my sponge and dust cloth snags on it.

If the finish doesn't hold up I will be having the plastics professionally painted because I love it in black.

My wife "helped" me with a little impromptu stress test (long story) on this rack platform I made for her scooter. I was a little skeptical about the durability before this.

I assume some of the damage occurred when the part flew off at 30 mph.