Hey Everyone,
First installment questions from the Dowling boys' refurbishment of our newly acquired 73 Six Day. I truly searched all possible past-posts before posting this one.
I am going to freshen up the appearance of the bike with new fenders and a repaint of key parts. Can I get some feedback that I found the right colors and approaches on the Forum?
Frame: JP1 KTM Silver/Gray - What is a good degreaser to clean-up the frame? After degreasing, I am planning on light sanding, primer and paint.
Yellow Number Plates: Krylon Sun Yellow - any other better color?
Green: PPG 44623 (from T. Brosius webpage)- Can you get this put into spray cans at the dealer? Are there any other "close" green colors, readily available in spray cans that are considered "acceptable" in shade?
Fiberglass Tank/Air Box Prep - I have never painted fiberglass before. Based on scouring the historical posts, here is what I am thinking: use Oven Cleaner (?) to remove old over/repaints, sand with 400 wet, sand with 1200 wet, primer, sand with 1200 wet, paint with 2 coats, and finish with 1 coat of clearcoat.
Does my approach make sense, or am I "out of my mind"? (By the way the answer to both questions could be YES.)
Thanks, as always for your patience and guidance.
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
1200 Before you spray your basecoat isn't going to give much of a "bite" for your paint. I usually use 400. Dennis D
Dennis,
Excellent - thanks for the feedback. Me painting, is very much like giving matches to a child. I appreciate your input.
Gary
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
Working with limited resources, I cleaned my frame with kerosene and #00 steel wool (yes, outside and with rubber gloves), wiped it down, and blew it off with compressed air. Used the PJ-1 sandable primer and wiped it down with #0000 wool and more air, and then sprayed the silver-gray. I allowed a day or two between coats. Does not look bad for what it is.
Gary, I am outside of Gatlinburg. Do you not mention you are near Atlanta?
Patrick Houston
Patrick,
Thanks for the tip on kerosene and #00 steel wool and confirmation on the stripper & paint. Yep, I am north of Atlanta.
Gary
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
But let me add that I do not have a smidgeon of the skills that some of these boys have. I just work with what I got.
Patrick
Patrick,
I am with you. When I am finished, my bike may be the poster child on "what not to do to a Penton".
Frankly, the knowledge within this group is pretty amazing. In fact it was the POG website that gave me the motivation to get this bike, knowing that the infrastructure, knowledge and collegiality are outstanding.
It is really interesting to search the posts for past information - much that I got today was from posts in '02 & '03.
I'll take as much input and guidance as I can get.
I'd really like input on the colors I identified in the original post.
Gary
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
Hi Gary, it is true, I have not found a rattle can replacement for the Penton Green, what I do know is that once a decent color can be achieved, it is possible to have spray bomb cans made. One of our most distinguished restorers is Kip Kern. His bikes are prolly some of the best, and he does take particular care in the prep of both frames and ancillary parts, his methods are not "out of this world" but they are something that he has mastered, and I believe he would lend you a hand. And as a mention, some of my posted paint codes have come from the members themselves, it is only a guideline for reference. I have not personally used the PPG green, perhaps one of "our faithfull" could verify the purity.
Keep us posted...A Penton is a fine thing!
Tom Brosius
Tom,
Thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate your input and tip on Kip.
Gary
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
Gary: I am not sure but I would question the kerosene. That stuff is oily and I have never seen a lantern with kerosene left in it that rusted. Sewing machine oils have a lot of kerosene in them for lubrication so this is why I question its use. Under Ryustoleum maybe?? Here is what I do: I GUNK the whole think with the good automotive degresser called Gunk. Take it to a car wash and soap/rinse Gunk off. I then use acetone or laquer thinner on a rag with gloves OUTSIDE and wipe every nook and cranny. If acetone starts wrinkling up old paint use something less aggresive like contact cleaner or mineral spirits. Detergent soap like Spic and Span works good also but make sure to rinse it off. Go ahead and sand like mentioned with 320 or 400 wet or dry paper used with water. When you have it looking smooth wipe down again with a pre paint cleaner/ wax remover which can be bought at a automotive paint store. At this point never touch frame with bare hands again! Find a place to hang it where you can move all around it and can rotate the frame easily. (I hang it from a large tree in my back yard) I usually hang it by steering neck and also have a wire on bottom and on rear fender loop. With a hook you can then reposition frame several times during painting. You will be supprised what you miss when you hang your primed frame upside down after painting what you thought was everywhere. During priming you will discover how to handle frame repositioning without touching wet paint. This helps when it comes down to color and or clear coat. Some primers don't need sanding but if they do I usually used 400 or 500. Paint tight areas first and paint easily seen areas last. A very slight breeze outside works nice to keep overspray down and paint out of your face. Wear a mask anyway! Hope this helps. Ted
Ted,
Great insight and tips - thanks for taking time for the detailed comments.
I ordered the JP1 paint for the frame, that everyone seems to recommend.
Any confirmation on the Krylon Sun Yellow (or better?) for the number plates?
Any thoughts on the correct Six Day Green for 73?
Thanks again,
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
Gary it looks like your enjoying you new found addiction. On the way to pick up my 1st Penton I was fortunate enough to meet Al Buehner. The first question he asked me was, "Are you going to show it or ride it". After 1 spin around the block (even when it ran terrible) I knew I was going to ride it. I tried to keep things as close as possible to stock but I wasn't worried about dead on. Especially the fenders, mine came with aluminum fenders when new I chose to buy some Preston Pettys from Bultaco East.
The point to my story is build the Penton to enjoy it weather it be to show or ride.
Rod Whitman
1972 Six Day (Rider)
1972 Six Day (Project)
Rod,
Thanks for the input. Great advice on the approach to the improvements. I have also restored British sports cars - it's easy to "over plan" a restoration/refurbishment, sweat too many details, and completely lose sight of the whole point - enjoying the final product.
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
Hi Gary, you have email.
Chris,
Thanks for the info - exactly what I needed. I replied to your email, as well. Great insight.
Gary
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
Gary,It sounds as if you your boy are in for some fun!if you find a decent spray can match for touch ups on cmf green please let us know-OK? Thanks, Ric
ric emmal
Ric,
I will definitely post anything I figure out with spray bomb Six Day Green! Stay tuned for more of Gary & Mike's Excellent Adventure!
My son and I are having a "big time"! Until we get our restoration plan together, we are riding it and doing small, baby step cosmetic/minor mechanical work. For example the bike had a good, but tired Petty "Muder" front fender. My son (Mike) scoured the POG Forum and found threads about using Krylon Fusion spray paint. He cleaned the fender, painted it, and now has to show everyone who visits - "his" fender. This early victory has him diving in with both feet.
I am appreciative of several POG members who have stepped up to help me with sorting through the details: Rod Whitman, Kip Kern, Tom Brosius, Ted (t20sl), Patrick Houston, Dennis D and Chris (crheeterman), most recently.
There is a ton of knowledge in the POG organization - frankly it was this knowledge base that gave me the motivation to get my first (did I say "first" out loud?) Penton.
Thanks everyone - more to follow.
Wow . . I now have three stars next to my name! Yeah, I know - I talk too much.
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day
Hi Gary, the POG needs more members like you! A father/Son project, what class! No doubt, you will prolly be looking for another!
Thanks for Sharing!
Tom Brosius
Gary, be careful, i just brought 5 more Pentons home last week from Mid-Ohio, my 14 year old son works with me on all of our bikes, it's a great thing for them to be involved, start looking for your next one of many !!!, good luck, regards, Mike G.
Mike Gallagher - 71 Six-Day 125 Steel Tanker, 2- 1972 Six-Days, 73 Six-Day, 74 Six-day, 73 Jackpiner, 74 Mint 400, 76 MC5-400
Gary: Check out the Pontiac (GM) green used a few years back. I just saw a Grand Am several years old that looked pretty close today. I thought boy that looks close to the Penton Steel tanker green. Sorry, don't know year. Ted
Tom B. - Thanks for the thoughts. I always look for projects/sports/hobbies with each of my kids. Mike is the youngest (12) and has an afffinity for dirtbikes. The Penton has been a great history lesson for him. If your website has been showing spikes it "hits", that's Mike and I looking at your cool fenders!
Mike G - Cool that you, too, have father/son projects. I have got to get another one! I bought this 73 CMF Six Day from Don Roth. He sent me a photo of himself with a CMF, Berkie, Six Day, & Jackpiner - all in a row. I think I may try to replicate that photo in Atlanta! I can't beleive the list of bikes in your signature line - looks like a dealership inventory.
Ted - Good call on the GM / Pontiac Green. I am "on it" and will report back. Thanks for thinking of me. Some day a steel tanker has to be in my garage. The CMF bike we have is street legal and I ride it around the neighborhood and community. My wife keeps catching me riding past the house wearing a huge grin. My Harley is getting jealous.
Gary Dowling
1973 Penton Six Day