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Questing about custom Harley Davidson Paint

F

FengZ

Pilot
A friend of mine is asking me to design a custom paint for his new Harley Davidson.

He mentioned he wanted a "clear-color-painting on chrome plating."

I'm not sure what this means. I've done a lot of car paints in the past (with just auto-paint followed by clear-coat). I'm not familiar with this process. Can someone help me explain this? Thanks!

Here's his bike at Mt. Fuji

harley1.jpg


harley2.jpg


-feng
 
In the states, the big thing is to paint a depiction of paint being torn or ripped off of shiny metal, usually with claw marks that have torn through the paint.

That might be what he means.. If not, its a new one...



Bill
 
It sounds like he is talking about something similar to a candy finish, but instead of clear color being applied over a metallic or pearl base, it would be applied over chrome plating.

Which might not be as cool as he thinks - I think it might just look anodized. But it might be....

Brian
 
Umm...I agree with AckAck. I've seen a set of chrome wheels that the owner had powder-coated in clear. They completely lost the depth of shine that chrome has.
Another trouble will be with getting any paint to stick to the chrome...I think chrome is just too "slick" to get any type of paint to adhere to it and I suspect even the abovementioned powder-coat isn't stuck to those wheels all that well either.

If he's talking about a chrome-like paint undercoat like what Bill is talking about then that's a whole nuther project...but it can be done and it can look pretty nice too. For something like this, check out Alsa's ChromeFX paint line (or their Killer Chrome line if you're thinking of a small rattle-can project). I've seen a couple samples of this and it is absolutely the best looking faux chrome paint that I've ever seen. Got a pretty good video demo on their website too.
http://www.alsacorp.com/index.htm
 
i've seen some guys do this thing, i think it might be what your friend is talking about. it sorta looks like when the metal is blued, but you can do other colors as well.
i've seen it on valve covers and other engine bay parts at auto shows.

one thing that occored to me, if your friend lives in japan, then he paid big bux to have that harley registered for use on the street. add to the other associated costs of owning a harley in japan, and he must be doing pretty well.
unless he's military and has away around all the import taxes, licensing fees, etc.
 
Why in h3ll would he want to repaint when the paint looks great now.... at least it does in the photos.

I had my 76 SuperGlide repainted 3 times..... Only because the original Sunburst Burgundy was faded. Which was a shame as it was the 76 only SuperGlide ever factory painted that color on the east coast I was told. How true I have no idea. The other 2 times was from damage.... yes I dumped it a couple of times. A couple more but no damage. The last repaint was Wineberry Pearl because of a dented left tank (dual 5 gallon tanks), and the Custom Softtail rear fender was added.

So unless his is damaged somehow, I wouldn't touch the original paint... no way no how. It's worth more with the original paint IMHO.
 
First off chrome is very pouris (sp), and takes paint well...

I am seeing all his tins in chrome. with some flames or stripes over top of that, then the whole thing would be cleared.....

I have seen this done many times, its just like painting two tone paint scheme, but one is chrome not paint..Still don't know why he would do that to that beautiful Road king...


On the topic of harleys...heres mine....LOL
 
Now that looks Mean. ;) Nice bike Hm.
Thumbup.gif


Now yer making me miss my '76 SuperGlide Custom.
 
Thanks...It be mean...Thats what a 95 inch will do for you.....:gossip:


You had and lost an AMF? Oh Man...Mistake...

Sorry to hear that....They put the stop to oil leaks for the most part and put the speed into Harley that it needed..........


A bud of mine had a 76 Super Glide (brown) and Harley gave him a new motor when his hit 100,000 miles with no work done other than pistons and valves.... It smoked like crazy till it finally smoked up an intersection in Richmond Va....LOL
 
thanks everyone for the feedback. I've dug a little deeper and did find examples of this painting style. If done right, it can be pretty cool.

Here are some initial rough ideas for the paint. Don't kill me...this is my first ever attempt at custom HD painting :) Just photoshop for now...i also changed the HD logo to an one-line on the fuel tank. He wants a very bold design/color.....in the redish-tones. And these do not have the chrome-under it yet....i only found out what this process was after doing these mock-ups... :p

and yeah, my friend did buy and operate this in Tokyo. The price is ridiculous...especially when you start to customize it with parts, etc. But he's been the exec producer for one of the biggest game/film studios in Japan...so he's doing ok for himself :)

FZD_Harley_Paint_01.JPG


FZD_Harley_Paint_02.JPG


FZD_Harley_Paint_03.JPG


FZD_Harley_Paint_05.JPG


-feng
 
The first one looks great and the last one looks brilliant but needs maybe a touch of orange in there? (just my humble 2 cents).


Feng, this isnt the same guy that did Last Exile, is it! :faint:
 
Don't worry Feng, I think they all look great. Nice work.
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But it all boils down to what the "owner" wants to make it his own personal touch. Not everyone may agree with him, but they don't own the bike. ;)
 
I like the first and the third...Very nicely done too I might add..


But, Am I missing the point..It appeard only the first shows any chrome through in the form of like a pinstripe...

Maybe the last too if thats chrome I'm seeing not blue paint

Does he not want much chrome to show?


I think in real life a custom job like that over chrome(to use it as a color ) might cost more than the bike did.....


They do make chrome paint.
 
thanks for the comments everyone.

Yeah, these versions don't have the chrome-thing yet. I'll do that with the next batch tomorrow.

Lionheart; i'm not familiar with all my friend's stuff....but lots of them are for Squaresoft titles...i worked with him on a bunch of titles out of Japan. This Last Exile anime looks awesome! Wish i worked on it... :p

-feng
 
FengZ


The more I look at your art work the more I like it...Those would look awsome on any scooter.....

Fantastic work you have done...Just had to say....:applause:
 
Hm, yeah I srewed up big time when I sold it in 93. 14,010 actual miles and it still didn't leak a drop of oil. Everyone would point at the spot behind the engine on the left side and say... "Oh yeah, what's that?" I'd just say the chain oiler doin it's job. Then they'd shut up. :d
 
my big zuk had every possible chrome peice that could be had. along with the 2 tone paint it was a pretty bike. i rode every day, rain or shine. to work, the grocery store, the laundromat, etc. it wasn't just my primary transportation. it was my ONLY transportation. i put 12K miles/yr on that bike. it taught me an important lesson:

i love to ride, but i do not love to polish and clean.

if/when the Lord allows me to have another bike, i plan to choose one i can hose off and go. no more chrome for me. oh, and shaft drive rules, btw :p:
 
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