After Market Paint Cracking Problem

[Alyblueyz]

Hi to All!

Last September I had a $2000 custom Chrome Illusion (DuPont Paint) paint job done on my baby. The painter was a professional, experienced custom bike painter.

I now, in May, have noticed many, MANY cracks in the paint! Some start at the points where the screws go into the body, some start at corners of the body, (both inside and outside corners) and 1 HUGE crack starting in the CENTER OF THE HOOD!


Has anyone else had problems with aftermarket paint jobs?


Alyssa

[tatt2r]

my paint was done buy a buddy ofmine single stage acrylic stuff is supposed to be bullet proof he said if he did two stage clear coat because of flexing body panels it would crack and chip

[bone crusher]

Ut oh...

[dltang]

Hi to All!

Last September I had a $2000 custom Chrome Illusion (DuPont Paint) paint job done on my baby. The painter was a professional, experienced custom bike painter.

I now, in May, have noticed many, MANY cracks in the paint! Some start at the points where the screws go into the body, some start at corners of the body, (both inside and outside corners) and 1 HUGE crack starting in the CENTER OF THE HOOD!


Has anyone else had problems with aftermarket paint jobs?


Alyssa

First of all, welcome. Next, I love your avatar but of course I love roses. Now to the point, I am so sorry about your paint job. I have had mine painted for over a year and have not had any problems. My friend who paints bikes and cars and has a sign shop did the work for me. He used House of Color, Kandy Apple Red. I wish I could tell you more or be more encouraging but I think my first step would be to go back to the painter and ask him about this. I don't think it should be happening.

[daddydarko]

I had problems with my 1st paint job (solid red). I suspect this is common for well-ridden Spyders. That's why I decided to go with a worn look for the third.

[Alyblueyz]

What is a “worn look”? I might do that if I get it repainted...
I was even thinking about more "fake" cracks...

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the AZ sun and extreme heat, perhaps the plastic expands faster (more?) than the paint....

I'm also thinking perhaps the clearcoat like the first fellow suggested.

The painter has been informed, and said he'd work with me on this...

Anybody know where to get new body panels, perhaps solid black???

My theme is "Vampires" the license plate says "Vlad" (as in Vlad the impaler, whom the book Dracula was based on.)

BTW the rose is the logo from the game "Vampire the Masquerade".

I STILL love my Spyder, regardless of the paint problems.
Thanks loads guys!

[jwfranklin]

Back in the late 80's I had an Audi Quattro painted it had a rubber chin and rear spoiler, the painter said these had to be removed and painted seperately from the metal body. There had to be a flex agent added to the paint on these rubber parts. I'm sure paints and painting has changed in the last 20 years. But this might still hold true for parts that will flex.

Wayne

[Tom in NM]

Since your painter is a professional and he said he will work with you on this - go with it. It sounds like it was a pretty expensive job and that you were really happy with it. Let the guy fix it and build and keep his reputation.

There are lots of variables in what can go wrong with paint jobs, but in general, they happen when the painting is done. Things like the cracks you are experiencing can happen to the best of painters.

Runs, orange peel and other flaws happen too, but seldom to good painters. And if the paint is cured right, natural weather conditions will have little effect on it.

Tom

[Lamonster]

Plastic is a art of it's own and there are few painters that have any luck with it if they have never done it before. My painter is an expert on painting plastic and it all comes down to the prep and the time in between coats. Chances are your painter had a reaction with the plastic.

[bjt]

Welcome to SpyderLovers Alyblueyz. Any chance you can post some pictures of your custom Spyder (overall pics and some closeups of the paint defects)?

[daddydarko]

What is a “worn look”? I might do that if I get it repainted...
I was even thinking about more "fake" cracks...

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the AZ sun and extreme heat, perhaps the plastic expands faster (more?) than the paint....

I'm also thinking perhaps the clearcoat like the first fellow suggested.

The painter has been informed, and said he'd work with me on this...

Anybody know where to get new body panels, perhaps solid black???

My theme is "Vampires" the license plate says "Vlad" (as in Vlad the impaler, whom the book Dracula was based on.)

BTW the rose is the logo from the game "Vampire the Masquerade".

I STILL love my Spyder, regardless of the paint problems.
Thanks loads guys!

My painter added flaws such as scrapes and burn marks into the paint. It fit my theme of a war machine that's seen some combat. I ride almost 3k/month in the summer (more this year) so I gave up on expecting my high dollar paint job to stay cherry. It all depends on how you ride it, I suppose.

Your theme sounds bad ass! Must see some pics!

[Roaddog2]

Plastic is a art of it's own and there are few painters that have any luck with it if they have never done it before. My painter is an expert on painting plastic and it all comes down to the prep and the time in between coats. Chances are your painter had a reaction with the plastic.

welcomewith Lamont with this one

[widowmaker2011]

Plastic is a art of it's own and there are few painters that have any luck with it if they have never done it before. My painter is an expert on painting plastic and it all comes down to the prep and the time in between coats. Chances are your painter had a reaction with the plastic.

Couldn't agree more but theres a little more to this.
As a Dupont retailer , the recommended 1 ounce of Hot Activator Standard HHA-8005TM per ready-to-spray quart of basecoat gives optimum performance over flexible substrates. No other flex additive is necessary. Carol's Spyder is painted with Dupont Illusion also and has been subjected to tons of different elements from extreme heat to cold. Ten to one he didnt follow Duponts directions , I have NEVER had a crack when you use the right additive. Alot of guys will skip the Dupont additive and use a flex additive they have in the shop, thats a big no no with todays paint on plastic. Plastic flexes with heat and cold and movement , if the paint is not adhered and able to flex also , it will do exactly what you describe.
That should be fixed at no charge to you, not a discount , FREE. If he is an authorized Dupont shop and followed all the proper steps , Dupont will back that paint for life , but it doesn't sound like a paint problem at all.

[Firefly]

What is a “worn look”? I might do that if I get it repainted...
I was even thinking about more "fake" cracks...

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the AZ sun and extreme heat, perhaps the plastic expands faster (more?) than the paint....

I'm also thinking perhaps the clearcoat like the first fellow suggested.

The painter has been informed, and said he'd work with me on this...

Anybody know where to get new body panels, perhaps solid black???

My theme is "Vampires" the license plate says "Vlad" (as in Vlad the impaler, whom the book Dracula was based on.)

BTW the rose is the logo from the game "Vampire the Masquerade".

I STILL love my Spyder, regardless of the paint problems.
Thanks loads guys!

You can order body panels from your dealer --- Around $800 or so for a set. Got any pics of your vampire ride?

[Alyblueyz]

I was doing the theme in a multi-step process due to the cost...

Black annodizing was part of the process, for the handlebars and foot pegs etc. I was planning on changing out the muffler as well...

So right now the bike just changes colors from a deep navy blue metallic, through purple to an intense magenta, depending on where you are standing in relation to the lighting. Some times if the light is just right you also see teal blue, hints of gold and a deep black-cherry red. INCREDIBLE PAINT! I don't know what color to tell people it is!

I was to return the spyder to get the graphics done, in a piece meal fashion, due to my budget.

The link is to the painters website, showing his previous work, of course.

http://www.nashfx.com/

He has a great reputation, and as I've contacted him about the pain problem, now the ball is in my court to get the bike back to him and see what kind of resolution we will reach. A long time friend of my husband had referred us to Nash as he'd had dune buggies etc painted by him and was VERY pleased.

I took some pics of the cracking on my blackberry, and I'll see if I can post them.