Paint Question

[vulcans2]

Is it my imagination or is the paint Kawasaki uses unusually delicate and fragile? The reason I ask is, my '10 Nomad only has 3800 miles on it and all sorts of paint chips. I can account for on scratch that I put on the tank, but there are several tiny chips--a couple on the front fender, one on the right side of the gas tank, and one on the right saddlebag. The bike has never been down, and I haven't yet had the dubious experience of riding on a gravel road. I have to conclude that Kawasaki's paint isn't very high quality. Enlighten me please.

[rewindgy]

Nope, I believe you are correct. The paint on my 2006 is very thin and scuffs easily! The paint on my 99 Drifter has been way more durable! i have had the front fender repainted already due to chips - and the tank is scuffed. i was at a local stealer and I noticed the paint on a 2010 Voyager and it was scuffed and chipped after 500 km

[glwilson]

I am sure it is all a part of trying to keep the price of their bikes down.

[ndbigfish]

With all the paint choices Kawasaki has on the Nomad.....Green and Titanium, Red and Titanium, Blue and Titanium looks like they got a deal on titanium. What is next a two tone titanium? It is like they gave up after 04. (That is sarcasm right there)

The paint on my 99 is fine and the 03 is fine, but uninspiring for sure. The paint finish is just one step better than orange peel. Kawasaki's paint, fit and finish doesn't compare with some other mfrs - IMHO.

[jandreu]

I'll add my 2 cents...MaKaw uses cheap paint, chips easy. Almost acts like old style lacquer paint. All ya got to do is stare at a spot log enough and a chip flys off.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

No problem here on my black '08 Nomad. Could have been a bad batch of paint also.

[ringadingh]

Mine has stood up pretty good, I have a few stonechips, but they are almost unavoidable.
The red paint on my saddlebag doors has faded to a light pink on the top portion, I'll probably get that redone someday.

[ve3hzz]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Mine has stood up pretty good, I have a few stonechips, but they are almost unavoidable.
The red paint on my saddlebag doors has faded to a light pink on the top portion, I'll probably get that redone someday.

You might as well just paint all that light faded pink on your bike to hot pink, with that black paint. ;)

You know you want to have the first Mary Kay Nomad don't you

I know I know I'm a ___k

[Jared]

Stock paint sucks! Re-paint it!

If you take all the parts off the bike and prep them yourself, most shops will spray the paint for relatively cheap.

[ringadingh]

Its not cheap around here, when I looked at getting it done five years ago I had prices of $2200.00 & 2400.00 to paint everything if I removed it all and took it in myself. That also included a small fibreglass repair on the fairing.
I had just the fairing repaired and painted for $500.00.

[keith23]

My 2oo8 is the fastest color (blue) no problems, no chips, looks great.

[gazza]

I thought these bikes are just for looking at and polishing?! The red paint on my boxes does look like it's ready fall off one day though!

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Its not cheap around here, when I looked at getting it done five years ago I had prices of $2200.00 & 2400.00 to paint everything if I removed it all and took it in myself. That also included a small fibreglass repair on the fairing.
I had just the fairing repaired and painted for $500.00.

Bring it down here! I'll spray it for a lot less than that!

Now if you are wanting custom work, ie pinstriping, flames, candy, etc. it can get spendy, but a sold two stage paint job should be less than have of what you were quoted. Especially if you were willing to take the parts of and prep them.

[rickyboy]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Mine has stood up pretty good, I have a few stonechips, but they are almost unavoidable.
The red paint on my saddlebag doors has faded to a light pink on the top portion, I'll probably get that redone someday.

Greg, I haven't had any problems with the quality of the orig. paint on my black '06. I dropped a screw driver on the fender once and it made the smallest chip/mark. I also didn't notice my iPod cable rubbing ever so lightly on my tank after a trip and that left a "scuff" mark. I think those can be expected if you're careless like I was. But under normal riding/sitting I haven't noticed any deterioration in the paint.
I know it didn't stand up to skidding on the pavement when I had the misshap last fall. ::)

Red paint, as you probably already know, is very susceptible to fading from the sun. I had a red Nissan 200SX at one time and it faded horribly! I found a product that you might have heard of called "Colour Back" and it did a great job to bring the oxidized red paint back to close to the orig. colour. You might want to try IT. I believe I bought it at Canadian Tire. Worth a shot before you have it painted. Or it might do the trick well enough till you get it painted.

[bobhamlin]

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Stock paint sucks! Re-paint it!

If you take all the parts off the bike and prep them yourself, most shops will spray the paint for relatively cheap.

The cheapest I found was $500. It was a car paint (Toyota, I think). One color. I disassembled everything, delivered it 100 + miles away and picked it back up.

Locally, they wanted to charge $1200 for the same job.

Some guys swear they can do it with a rattle can. Wouldn't THAT be sweet?