DIY Network

Paint and Seat Re-Cover: Two-Tone Spray Paint Job From "Classic Rides" episode DCLR-111

Figure A

In the earlier segment of this Classic Rides '74 Vespa Sprint Veloce scooter project, host Kevin Tetz covered chip and dent repair, shared some painting techniques, powder coated the rim and restored the seat.

In this final segment Kevin demonstrates a customized two-tone paint job on the side cowl. Unique customized paint jobs are the norm for scooter owners. Some go with a racing strip, a wild color (such as pink) or even a zebra look. The choice is up to you.

What Kevin has chosen to do is a nice two-tone treatment on the side cowl -- a ground coat of white (figure A) and a bright yellow on the side cowl that will look nice.

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Two-Tone Spray Paint Job

• First, you need to create a positive mask over the top of the area that is remaining white, and then you can prep the yellow area that is going to stay the same.

  Note: The trick is what you're doing is wetting the tape and taking some of the tact of the paint. What this does is stop the glue from biting into the surface too much.

• For the masking, follow the style of the scooter (figure B). Go slowly around the corners, and stretch the masking tape to create a nice transition.

• With the taping process completed, it's time to get the area masked up. With masking paper, cover the section of the scooter cowl that will remain white.

• Prepare the surface, which is cured, to create a mechanical bond with scratches or tooth so the paint can adhere properly. To create the bond use an abrasive pad and scuff the surface applying light pressure. Be sure to get into all of the tight contours right along the tape edge (figure C) so the entire cowl has a tooth for the paint.

  Safety Alert: Before painting, apply a respirator, give the surface a final tact and put on safety glasses.

• For the first coat, apply a light application to the scooter cowl, making sure to cover the entire surface. This first coat is known as a tact coat.

• Now it's time for the wet coat, which is a heavier application. Spray 6-10 inches from the surface using smooth, even strokes. Let the surface dry before applying the final coat.

• For the last coat make sure to cover the entire surface with an even application (figure D) and allow approximately 15 minutes before the unmasking.

• To unmask take the paper off first because you don't want the blue paper flipping into the yellow. If the color happens to be soft, you could have a mess on your hands.

• When pulling the outline tape off you don't want to pull up, you want to pull the tape against itself. Fold it back over and pull it against the edge. This does two things:
  1. It lessens the chance of pulling the underneath paint up or tearing the edge.

  2. And it also allows the tape to actually cut the line for you as it's cutting back.

• To finish this particular paint job off, Kevin is going to apply an accent stripe. This is a simple technique using a vinyl pinstripe (figure E) that is available at most automotive retailers.

• Raise the stripe up and stretch outward as you lay it down. This technique will give you a nice smooth line to turn corners with. The vinyl will stretch and do what you want around the corners, etc.

• Using a razor blade, make a cut and separate the 1/8" stripe that will stay on the scooter. Note that Kevin decided to go with one stripe instead of the two it came with from the manufacturer. You can be creative and do whatever you desire.

• Remove the unwanted stripe from the side cowl -- and remember to pull "against" the stripe. The result is a stripe that helps to define the two-tone paint job (figure F).

In the next episode Kevin tackles the engine modification and shock and brake replacement.

RESOURCES :

The Eastwood Company

The Eastwood Company is a supplier of automotive-restoration parts, tools and supplies.

The Easthill Group, Inc.
The Eastwood Company
Website: www.eastwoodco.com

Norton Abrasives

Sandpapers, cleaners, abrasives and bodywork supplies.
Website: www.nortonautomotive.com

Vespa Restoration Parts (Scomo)
Scomo
Website: www.scomo.net

Stock Photos, Videos, CD Rom and Timesurfer (Piaggio)
Piaggio, USA, Inc.
Website: www.piaggio.com/

Touch-Up, Spray and Color-Shifting Paint (Dupli-color)
Dupli-color
Website: www.duplicolor.com