How to paint and rendering a decal on a motorcycle

Based on my experience (may or may not correct)

A. Primary base paint

(starting from bare metal/plates)

1. Apply primary base paint/epoxy (thick mixture) # observed the damages/defects

2. Sanding, gradually with sandpaper e.g. no. 240 - no. 320 *

3. Repair the severe damage with putty

4. Sanding, gradually with sandpaper e.g. no. 240 - no. 320 * as thin as possible

5. Apply primary base paint/epoxy (thick mixture)# as straightening/fill in the subtle defects

6. Sanding, gradually with sandpaper e.g. no. 240 - no. 320 * as thin as possible

7. Apply primary base paint/epoxy (thick mixture) # as straightening/fill in the subtle defects on the certain spots

8. Sanding, gradually with sandpaper e.g. no. 320 - no. 600 *

9. Observe the result. Repeated to its perfection (if needed). Ready for coloring.

B. Coloring light silver

(starting from primary base paint)

(light silver as a basis for candy paint)

1. Apply light silver/1st layer (thick mixture) #

2. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 800 - no. 1000 *

3. Apply primary base paint/epoxy (thick mixture) #  or putty as straightening/fill in the subtle defects on the certain spots (acceptable)

4. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 800 - no. 1000 *

5. Apply light silver/2nd layer (rather dilute mixture) #  assuming there are no defects/is perfect ^

6. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 800 - no. 1000 * 

7. Observe the result. Repeated to its perfection (if needed). Ready for candy paint.

C. Coloring candy paint

(starting from light silver paint as basis for candy paint)

1. Apply candy paint/1st layer (rather dilute mixture) #

2. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 800 - no. 1000 *

3. Apply candy paint/2nd layer (more dilute mixture) #  assuming there are no defects/is perfect ^

4. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 800 - no. 1000 *

5. Ready for final stage/finishing.

D. Glossy looks with certain spot polishing

(starting from candy paint with the decal has been applied)

(the decal should be covered before applying the last layer of candy paint)

(more difficult and complicated but likely to be implemented)

1. Apply candy paint/3rd/final layer (more dilute mixture)  #

2. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 1000 - no. 1500 * and polishing (only) on the intersection of both layer 

3. Finish

E. Glossy looks with clear coat and without polishing

(starting from candy paint with the decal has been applied)

(a lot more easier than section C)

1. Apply clear coat/1st layer (rather dilute mixture)  #

2. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 1000 - no. 1500 *

3. Apply clear coat/2nd layer (more dilute mixture)  #

4. Finish

F. Rendering the decal

(starting from finish color e.g. candy paint and clear coat has not been applied)

1. Sanding the allocation area of the decal (black as a base of the white lines)

2. Form the outline of black decal. make sure the proportion and the size of the decal is precise  ^^

3. Apply adhesive tape ^^^ by follow the out side shape of the (black) decal

4. Cover up the fuel tank (excl. area to be painted) with non sticky materials (e.g. paper, plastic, etc.)

5. Apply the black color (rather dilute mixture) #

6. Sanding, gradually, slightly thin e.g. no. 800 - no. 1000 * 

assuming there are no defects/is perfect ^

7. Form the outline of the white lines decal. make sure the proportion and the size of the decal is precise  ^^

8. Apply adhesive tape ^^^ by follow the out side shape of the white lines decal

9. Apply the white color (rather dilute mixture) # by using a proper spray gun (e.g. an airbrush)

10. Repeated to its perfection. straight and smooth lines as result

note :

Persistence sanding is the basic requirement to obtain good result

Impressed thin plates and “thin” sound when tapped is a must

* sandpaper density may vary and not necessarily the same as mentioned above

# mixture is depending on the needs. no definite ratio to be given as a reference

^ unacceptable error, due to the character of candy paint. the thicker the layer, the darker the result

^^ cannot be undo or reshape the decal

^^^ not too sticky, easily to bent/deflected, e.g. negative film tape 

each stage should be awaited ’till the paint dry up !