Hayabusa Dragbike Paint Project

I figured I would add a bit to the customization topic by posting pics of a project I finished back in Feb. The bike was used at the Dealer Expo show in Indianapolis for Dynojet's display.

Here is the bike when it rolled into my shop. A collage of mismatched parts and damaged carbonfiber pieces. The paint had seen better days and was peeling off in large sheets.

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/collage2.jpg

Damage to the carbon fiber on the tail section was extensive. The holes in the top were created by the edges of the battery rattling against it during track runs.

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/taildmg1.jpg
http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/taildmg2.jpg

After some fiberglass repair, sanding, more sanding, primer and even more sanding... here is where I was.

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/primed1.jpg
http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/primed2.jpg

Onto the best part... the paint! Here is a foggy shot of the booth after I had applied HOK silver sealer, 6 layers of HOK Cobalt blue Kandy, and 3 layers of HOK clear coat, leaving me with a smooth and clean canvas for artwork. Keep in mind this process took 2 days, allowing proper drying time in between applications.

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/clearbooth.jpg

Fast forward a few days. Here is the bike after appling the free-hand artwork using HOK white, then coating the bike in additional layers of Cobalt blue and Oriental blue Kandy to push back the art.

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/ffender.jpg

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/tank1.jpg

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/tail.jpg

Here is the final project, out in the blazing Indiana February sun. :grin:

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/complete1.jpg

http://www.ironplated.com/images/artwork/busaproject/complete2.jpg

It's hard to see the color change of blues in these pictures, which is disappointing since I used so much Kandy to achieve it. You'd have to see it in person for that!

:applause: :bow: :applause: :bow: :applause: :bow: :applause: :bow:
Keep posting. This stuff is great to look at. :waytogo:

nice job, i want to learn to paint

Nice work!