DIY Network

Paint and Seat Re-Cover: Chip Repair From "Classic Rides" episode DCLR-111

Host Kevin Tetz has the project '74 Vespa Sprint Veloce scooter stripped down and ready for bodywork.

The '74 Vespa Sprint Veloce project scooter was been stripped down in the first episode ("Dissasembly" Episode -- DCLR-110), and now host Kevin Tetz begins the paint and body work, including some spot and chip repair, powder coating and a metal finishing demonstration.

A professional scooter paint job can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,500, so you can save some cash by doing it yourself.

The final finish is the part of the scooter that everyone will see, so the pressure is on to create a dazzling bodywork job. In this first segment Kevin shares some painting techniques.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Kevin's Painting Tips

• Professional refinish products aren't your only options when it comes to refinishing. There's a wide variety of spray paints that look great and are surprisingly durable. You can choose from all types of specialty coatings that go over chromium and a metallic base. There are some over-the-counter touch-up paints that are very effective.

  Note: There are even color-shifting paints for specialty coatings.

• If you have a chipped area on your project scooter (figure A), you'll first have to go through some a two-step cleaning process:
  1. For the chipped area, use a glass cleaner to wipe away any organic debris off the paint surface.

  2. Use a solvent-based cleaning cloth to any oily residue.

• Once the chipped area is clean enough to touch-up, you'll need to produce a little bit of scratch so the paint will have a mechanical bond. Fiberglass sanding pens (figure B) are especially made for getting into chips and tight areas.

• Using the handy pen, sand the entire chipped area. The system Kevin's using comes with a brush already attached -- or for a small scratch it has a ball-point applicator as well.

  Tip: If the paint on your scooter is thin, you won't be able to do the job with one coat. You'll have to do it in layers.

• Begin the process by painting the repaired area with the touch-up brush (figure C).

• With the first coat dry, you can apply the next coat. The color should start to come through nicely.

• Apply the third coat of touch-up paint and let dry.

• Now you need to sand around the area with some ultra-fine sandpaper to level out the repair with the existing paint. If you're using a metallic color, you may want to use a clear coat on top in order not to disturb the metallic particles while sanding.

• Lubricate the ultra-fine sandpaper with a little bit of soapy water -- and then "gently" scuff the surrounding area. Be sure to use feather-light pressure.

• The rubbing compound is next. Apply a fine abrasive rubbing compound to a soft towel and give the area a light buff (figure D). Apply even pressure and don't rub too hard on the touched-up paint.

In the next segment Kevin will go over some effective dent-repair techniques.

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