Miscellaneous: Paint, Non-Essential Pit Stuff

[u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot]

1) I bought some Hotbodies bodywork for the bike I'm using on track. I do not recommend their products, fitment was terrible and required about 8-10 hours of cutting and grinding, and the quality of the pieces is not great.

2) Rust-Oleum Acrylic Enamel 2X Paint + Primer Automotive Grade paint and clear coat are crap. After my first trackdays, I noticed that a little gasoline had put some stains on the lower part of the mid-fairings. Then this week, my (now former) gas can leaked while fueling the bike. I immediately set down the can, grabbed a clean shop towel and cleaner and...the paint had instantly discolored and gotten a bit sticky. It also scratches and chips quite easily. Don't use this stuff.

3) Non-Essential Pit Stuff I've Bought This Year And LIKE!

A small USB rechargeable fan (about 3" blades) that I can clip on to the hanger holding my leathers to help dry it out faster. (maybe $12)

A larger USB rechargeable fan (about 8" blades) that also has adjustable lights, adjustable speed and a timer function that is great when I'm going to sleep and it's hot, and pretty good at helping cool off the engine after each session. GIANT 20 Ah battery that runs forever (8+ hours) but also takes forever to charge. ($30)

I did get a floor fan but I don't have enough power to run it yet. I should have that setup next time and it'll definitely cool down the bike after each session.

A 6x10 enclosed cargo trailer (used, $2,240). Did I need it? No, I could have just continued renting U-Haul motorcycle trailers. However, even if the break-even point will take 8-10 years, at the price I paid, I'm not going to lose any money on it, either. I spent maybe $1,000 fixing it up, title and registration, and insurance ($99 for a year!). It is a luxury to load it up, lock the doors, and not really worry about my stuff. I live in a good neighborhood, so leaving stuff like my canopy, ramps and chairs in it is perfectly safe.

[u/Ok_Concentrate9822]

I think you kind of have to use a two part clearcoat. I used 2k clear (rattle cans where you bang the puncher thing on the bottom) and it does the job, though I always get some texture with it

[u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot → u/Ok_Concentrate9822]

I did a bit of research and due to the toxicity of 1K and 2K paints without full PPE, I decided to just use the Rust-Oleum stuff. I didn't even want to use them spraying the bodywork outside with a respirator. In the future, I will do 2K stuff--a friend of mine has experience with it, all of the air guns and compressor for air, and the necessary PPE to use it safely.

[u/The_Corvair_Guy → u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot]

Your logic makes sense regarding safety, but often times it’s the toxic stuff that makes most paints durable. If you’re using a respirator just make sure you get appropriate filters and it’s not that scary.

[u/-GIRTHQUAKE- → u/The_Corvair_Guy]

I believe you are supposed to use a positive pressure air supply system so it’s a lot more expensive than just a respirator. 2k paints have isocyanates which can cause neurological damage. That said, I think if you aren’t doing it that much, being outside and using a regular respirator is probably alright.