Not Triumph, I know, but three years ago I had the tank and both mudguards professionally sprayed, on my HD Superglide, at a highly regarded paint shop, here in the UK. It took three weeks, and was absolutely stunning. It cost me £800, which I thought was a good price for such a superb job. Some of the US based guys on here will no doubt chip in with some more relevant advice, I'm sure!

 

I had my Bonnie's fenders, tank and side covers done from scratch with red and black, for $350 check out my pics at

http://photobucket.com/home/david_in_ky/index

 

In Australia, $600 for a real quality job on the tank and both fenders, mirror finish. The guy I use has bikes he has painted in all the mags

 

Sounds like I got ripped off!!!!.

 

Don Hutchinson is the U.S. source, albeit in original paint types that most modern paint shops refuse to use. www.triumphman.com

I had called him when I was getting my Bonnie done and he is a real stitch to talk to. I would think he would be a good starting point. I know he is respected enough to have been a judge at many bike shows on the East coast. Best of luck

 

I am having the fuel tank, oil tank, side cover and badges for my '71 done by Vintage Vendor (http://www.vintage-vendor.com/). Brent can source his paint from Don Hutchinson too. He has been used/recommended by others on here. He is actively working on my tins now. I'd suggest you check him out.

 

I used Brent Budgor "The Vintage Vendor". He gets his paint from Don Hutchinson so the colors will be true. The guy is real easy to talk to, and sends e-mails almost daily with photo's and the progress of your parts. $375.00 USD
Phone: 802-485-4238
E-mail: brent@vintage-vendor.com
Web Site: http://www.vintage-vendor.com/

 

DJW, can you post a full size pic of that beautiful green tank?? I'm getting mine done and I want to show the painter some pics of the scallops. Thanks.

 

Original paint 76 TR7RV usa. I forget what the name of the color was - jade green or sea jade green something like that. The gold pinstripes have faded and worn a bit (haven't we all ), but you get the idea. Hopefully this helps with a pattern.

 

If you need more pics, let me know.

 

Thanks for the pics. Sweet bike. I like the 76 paint scheme, I think it looks better on my 72 than the original upper and lower scallops, and thats the way its been for over 30 years.

 

It makes me think about this video I saw a while back. We tend to dismiss those artists outside our countries usually. But check out this Artist hand at the India Enfield factory.....

 

If you notice, the Indian 'Coach Line' striper or 'Pin Striper' used pre- laid out 'chalk' lines of some sort that established the layout. . ?

The question here would be how and what was used for the initial layout.

Early Triumph used Lacquer paints that dried quickly and faded out almost as fast. . .

Today, most striping paint is sign painters 'Sure-Shot' enamel of the 'Alkyd' variety which will adhere to Lacquer if need be.

Even over modern paints the striping enamel may or may not last- depends how and when applied and over what. . .
You can paint enamel over original lacquer but not vice-versa and not too long ago, most 'rattle can' paints were of the lacquer variety. . .
Lacquer over enamel will quickly bubble and craze and check the paint under it.

My own bike has a few coats of enamel over the original lacquer as I was taught not to strip down to bare metal unless absolutely necessary- reason being that it's hard to mimic the prep and finishing of the bare metal primer adhesion.

Nowadays we have single stage enamel, dual stage with hardener's and the most recent is the 'base coat-clear coat' systems'.

Even further, most shops are forbidden to shoot lacquers because of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), And so the industry has developed water borne spray systems using HVLP technology- high velocity low pressure.

This is a good idea for many reasons and paint is incredibly expensive. . .

My striping brush alone was just shy of $20.


Unlike our forum of helpful folk sharing info about these old bikes repair, the painting industry is pretty tight lipped about their secrets- or so it would seem. . .

Proofreaders welcome. . !

 

I remember seeing a Meriden tank being painted at the factory on TV

Although my memory is hazy (this was probably the late 70's) I have the impression that it was done freehand. But the scallop/two colour design probably didn't give much argument where the lines went

My perception now is that the guy did it pretty quickly. Triumph were always proud that the stripes were done by hand.

 

HI Dave,

I remeber that and found it on utube

5 mins 55 secs to see it done by hand

GPMG

 

interestingly, there's what is maybe a T140D (UK) shown being swung around at about 5.00, it has gaiters.

this was a subject for discussion a few weeks ago.

The report was the "money programme" normally BBC2 at around 1900hrs on a Sunday.
I remember watching it