Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I just finished powder coating a component from my '79 CR 250 with RAL 3020 "traffic red" powder. I had previously
purchased an air box cover from VMX to use as a sample of the "correct" color. When I compared the two parts,
the VMX piece looks about a shade lighter and brighter than the powder coated piece. However, the powder coated
piece is nearly an identical match to an unfaded section of paint under my tank. Is this as close as people have been
getting, or do I need to go back to the "drawing board?

Anybody out there with any other color suggestions?

I've included a picture showing the two parts.

dogger

[img][/img]

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1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

I too matched RAL 3020 to the underside of my original tank. IMHO this is a good choice if you want something that is a balance between pragmatism and authenticity. Particularly useful is it matched Red Racer plastic and one assumes will match the VMX plastic too. Now your cover is slightly matte while the air box cover (which should be black) is high gloss. They will look different, but that is actually correct. Engine parts were matte, while the frame etc. are high gloss. I have a NOS rear engine mount, cylinder head, sprocket cover, and clutch cover as reference. I am going to have my engine etc. powder-coated simply because the durability will be a priority and as I say I think the color is close enough.

However, be aware that others here have had paint specifically matched (Dan Troesken), and used PPG Russett Red (Brian Rivers) and Chrysler Industrial Red (Dale White). All these were slightly different but look awesome.

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF

Thanks for the info.

The sprocket cover was supposed to be glossy. This is the first time I have used polyester powder and I may have to experiment with the "cook" times, or it may require a powder primer or simply a high gloss clear coat.

Obviously, the main goal of this exercise is to have the frame, motor and plastic the same color. With the plastic cast-in-color it makes sense to match everything else to it. Paint won't be a problem because PPG can do a color match using that high tech device they have, that's what the airbox cover is for. The powder is going to be the hard part if I want an exact match.

dogger

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1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

i have a 79 cr125 i'am restoring i would like to powder coat the engine will powder coat work on the head and cylinder or will there be to much heat oh when i finish restoring i'am going to ride the ---- out of it thanks jay

There are hi-temp powders available that are good to 1000 degrees but you can only get a few colors like black, silver, etc. so you would lose a big chunk of the "Red" in your "Red Rocket". Most powders flow out at 450 degrees and cure at 400 degrees. Once cured properly, they should be able to withstand the temperatures generated by a normal air cooled two stroke. To be on the safe side, you might want to place one of those temp strips on your cylinder and another on the head and see what kind of temps you get. If the temp stays below 400 you are probably safe to use powder. If not, my suggestion is to powder coat your case covers, your cases (only if they have been stripped of components) and then paint your cylinder and head. That is what I plan to do with mine. I plan to powder coat the case covers with the RAL 3020 "gloss" powder then finish them with a satin clear coat for the correct finish.

Good luck with it.

dogger

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1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

dogger sounds like you have a good idea i would like to keep my engine red i'll go talk to my powder coater next week thanks JD