painting bodywork/tank

[kermita]

I've searched but can't find how long it takes for a basic spray can paint job to cure. I've got a set of e-racings bodywork and a tank that I'd like to paint but I'm not sure if I've got enough time before the track day on the 28th. By a "basic" paint job I mean a couple of layers of paint with a couple layers of clear coat over that.

TIA

[nefarious]

youll be fine

[stevecbr900rr]

More than enough time...I'll be doing the same but my parts won't be in until the 20th. 8 days for cure is plenty. So 22 should be fine.

[Awesome]

Skip the clear and get acrylic paint. Sand, clean and prep the bodywork really well then wet sand after. Otherwise you'll end up with it looking like my bike. Just takes time and patience and you can have it come out really nice. I've found the paint, then clear is more difficult and harder to have come out good.

[Pittenger5]

Paint lesson of the day (I need a new job)
Oil based paints and solvent based paints (which are mostly in spray paints) take a while to dry, less for solvant, more for oil, but once they're fully dry they're essentially cured.
Latex and acrylic paints however, dry quickly, within 1/2 hour or so, but dont fully cure for as much as two weeks. (Ever wonder why you're not supposed to paint waterbased paint in the morning if its supposed to rain at night? Thats why)
So in conclusion, youll be fine. Spray paints are pretty time forgiving.

[Tricky Mike]

It's all about the prep work... I'd prime it if you really want it to stick.
Rattle cans suck in general, but I've had most luck with Laquer Duplicolor... Haven't had much luck with acrylics.

You can re-coat after about 10 minutes or so, so no real reason to not give it a few coats... I usually clear an hour or so later... same deal... recoat about 10-15 minutes apart. Keep the tip clean! Just watch out for dust. You'll be amazed how small a particle can ruin a job (pro's use a booth for a number of reasons). Spend some time with a shop-vac before you start spraying and wear a mask.

[stevecbr900rr]

Not wearing one is part of the Fun...zzzzzzz

[kermita]

wow....thanks for all the quick replies!

So it looks like I'll have plenty of time to get some paint on there. The question now is when do you know when the paint is fully cured? Is it just a matter of waiting a certain amount of time or are there signs that the curing has taken place?

[Awesome]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I painted my bike and raced it two days later.

[Tricky Mike]

Yeah, you'll be fine... The label on the can should say... probably 24 hours.
but I wouldn't sweat it too much if it's less...

[Pittenger5]

One thing to watch especially on the tank, if you use just a regular clear coat it wont stand up to gas being spilled on it, if you spill any it will take the paint off nicely. The only way to prevent this is for using a specific car clearcoat that can stand up to gas (or so I hear) I used a rattle can on my tank and took soem paint off, looks kinda ehh, but worse comes to worse Ill throw another coat on there.

[Wishbone]

read the can you use

I have used the same brand and two colors say different times between re-coats and drying

[SVRACER01]

im painting my bike pink for next year. what about you jay? you want a pink bike too?