[allserene]

I have 1 mile on my ninja due to Wisconsin and its glorious climate !
I have a scuff on the black paint on the swing arm (the attempt to lift it with spools before I bought the FABULOUS ABBA center stand), and I bought some Rust-oleum matte back spray paint from Walmart to touch up this very small area

It says it is "low profile non reflective" with a "Matte finish"

I have tested it on some newspaper and

A: it is shiny compared to the swing arm - not what I call matte

and

B The swing arm isn't really black - its on the gray side of black and is VERY matte with no shine at all - not like this Wally matte paint

Any thoughts on getting the right color with a really original dull surface ?

 

[rcannon409]

They say the Matt finish happens because the paint dries faster than its ability to go smooth. No idea if its true, or not, but sounds reasonable.

With that in mind, how abotu using some auto touch up paint, and a heat gun to help it dry? Theres a ford clor that matches the 2012 frame pretty well, so I'd expect soemthing to be availabel for your bike.

 

[allserene]

They say the Matt finish happens because the paint dries faster than its ability to go smooth. No idea if its true, or not, but sounds reasonable.

With that in mind, how abotu using some auto touch up paint, and a heat gun to help it dry? Theres a ford clor that matches the 2012 frame pretty well, so I'd expect soemthing to be availabel for your bike.

Looked on the official site (color rite) for the authentic color and its v expensive of course

Your idea of getting a really close Ford color is a useful thought

I am bound to get chip marks on the swingarm on these grotty Wisconsin roads, so I will have a sniff around to see what will match without spending hundreds

 

[rcannon409]

I cannot hardly tell the color of your frame..it looks black in the photo you posted with the new sticker you put on the fairing...If so...

Try a hobby shop. They have paint markers. Testors brand, I think??? Might be a close match.

Plus, on of the oem colors from ford. Some of these are are matte finish before getting the clearcoat. Black sharpie matches matte black very well.

 

[allserene]

I cannot hardly tell the color of your frame..it looks black in the photo you posted with the new sticker you put on the fairing...If so...

Try a hobby shop. They have paint markers. Testors brand, I think??? Might be a close match.

Plus, on of the oem colors from ford. Some of these are are matte finish before getting the clearcoat. Black sharpie matches matte black very well.

ok will do

Yes I thought the frame was black until I put some Wally Matte Black next to it and realized it is really a very dark gray. Heck it almost looked confederate gray next to the newly painted "matte black" newspaper !

Painting a bike that has never been off the driveway is sacrilege but it will pick up marks in the future so I will check out some options and luckily the scuff is 'down under' where it doesn't show so easily..

 

[rcannon409]

I had a painting shop up the street form where i grew up. You'd go in and the guy would be smoking 2 or 3 cigarettes at the same time, and smelled of alcohol....but, he could match anything. He'd make up a small amount of the color for next to nothing. No machine, just his eye.

I wonder if shops like this are still around? My guy died..no idea why?

 

[allserene]

I had a painting shop up the street form where i grew up. You'd go in and the guy would be smoking 2 or 3 cigarettes at the same time, and smelled of alcohol....but, he could match anything. He'd make up a small amount of the color for next to nothing. No machine, just his eye.

I wonder if shops like this are still around? My guy died..no idea why?

Chuckle - he was 111 though

Went to the Kawa dealer today and he suggested Autozone ! Wow ! I had just agreed to the $250 plus tax 600 mile service though - the oil/filter and check the bolts service.Think I will ride to autozone in July when it gets up to 32 degrees in Wisconsin, and get em to walk out to the bike with an armful of cans to check em against the frame.

If it was high on the frame I would get the shop to do it, but near the spool lugs ? nope - that's like buying a new windshield for my car in Wisconsin - its only going to get cracked again next week... and the week after

I save $200 on tax and pay $1,000 for car and bike repairs and 10k for medical bills coz of Somalia standard roads. grump grump third world cart tracks grump grump

 

[Mikey1000]

The model shop idea has great merit IMO. When my son was young we used to build models & I was astounded at the color choices available for paint to match.

 

[allserene]

The model shop idea has great merit IMO. When my son was young we used to build models & I was astounded at the color choices available for paint to match.

yep I once built a type 21 U-boat and it was a similar color !

 

[rcannon409]

Re the hobby shop..lots of the military colors are the Matt finish...I foudn a frame color, Ford soemthing, that matches my 2012 frame pretty well, but its not dead on. I'll have to go back.