Painting BMW system case lids?

[CRazyCam]

Hi folks.

I am waiting, with baited breath, for a pair of City lids arriving for my BMW system panniers.
(Thanks Rick!)

Now, I'd really like these lids, and also the bigger touring lids that I already have, pained to match my bike.

I do have the paint code for my red BMW.

Has anyone else done this?

Is it a DIY job, or a horrendously expensive paint shop job?

Are there any tricks or tips anyone would like to tell me about this painting business?

Thanks in advance,
__________________
regards,CrazyCam

[Rider Rick]

Hey Cameron! How close are they getting? I've been fretting over those, too, lol.

[CRazyCam]

Hi Rick.

According to the tracking system, they flew out of Chicago, 11th April, then no more info.

I assume they are floating about in the Ozzie postal system now, and hope for them to arrive tomorrow (Monday).

I have already drilled out the rivets holding the big lids in place, and replaced them with s/s nits and bolts, so changing from big to neat lids won't be a big job.

BTW, the end of the retaining strap, does it just clip in to the appropriate possie on the lid?

regards,CrazyCam

[Rider Rick]

Hey Cameron, I didn't see the town lids on the cases, but I can show you how they put on the touring lids, below. First pic is the lid side, secondis the case side. Looks like a rivet on the lids and some other kind on the case.

[rbt1548]

Hi Cam,
I have never painted the lids on my panniers, however I do build model cars, and am used to painting plastic with automotive paints. Automotive paints, (not sure what type BMW use), sometimes can react with the plastic or vice-versa, so it is always better to use a plastic primer with that type of paint, car accessory shops will sell it in spray cans, it is used as a base, if, for some reason, you need to paint a plastic bumper or wing mirror.
The main part of the process is surface preparation, if you just slap it on it will just look 'slapped on', give it a couple of coats of primer sand down 'til smooth, but be careful on the edges as it is easy to go through there, usually 600-800 grit paper will do for this, ( on a model car I use up to 8000-12000), then give it another coat or two let it dry for a couple of days in a warmish place and sand again.
With the top coat, give it a couple of light coats then a heavier coat leave a few days and sand down, then do it again, let it dry and finish with a final sand down with maybe 1200 grit paper.
Depending on the paint finish , standard or metallic, it may need a top coat of lacquer, just give it a few coats and rub down, cut and wax.
The big thing is patience, something I don't have in abundance!
Apologies if you know all the above already.
Also I'm sure there are guys on here with experience of painting lids who know of better, and probably the proper way to do it.

[Keppelj]

Cam, painting plastic automotive bits has become common since so many cars have plastic bumper covers, etc. Your post doesn't say where you are, but I would start buy going to a paint store which supplies auto body shops. They'll be able to point you to cleaners, solvents and paints with compatible properties you can use for the job. With those materials will come instructions on how to use them. Painting has become technical so read directions on temperatures required, etc.

[CRazyCam]

The big thing is patience, something I don't have in abundance!
Apologies if you know all the above already.

Hi rbt1548.

Thanks for that. It was exactly what I needed to know.

I am not over endowed with patience myself, and had no idea on the pukka way to do this kind of thing.

My last effort in painting BMW panniers was nearly twenty years ago. I had a K100RS, and a mate gave me a pair of the "City" panniers from a crashed Police K100.

I sanded back the scratches, washed down the white pained lids with washing up liquid and slapped on some black enamel paint that I found in the garage.

It didn't look too bad and it was quick!

Hi Keppelj.

Thanks to you too.

They'll be able to point you to cleaners, solvents and paints with compatible properties you can use for the job. With those materials will come instructions on how to use them. Painting has become technical so read directions on temperatures required, etc.

Hmm, as well as lacking patience, I'm not good at reading and following instructions.

I think I'll get a quote for a professional job on the two city lids, and the big touring lids can stay black, since I'll only likely use them once or twice a year.

regards,CrazyCam

[Rider Rick]

Hey Cam! Did they show up?? (bites nails worriedly)

[CRazyCam]

Hi Rick.

Not yet, but it is still before 9.00 am here.

They cleared out of Ozzie customs yesterday (18th) at 7.30 am so I expect sometime today they should show up.

regards,CrazyCam

[CRazyCam]

Hi again Rick.

They have arrived.

Did you pack them? Who ever did, did a bloody good job.

It took me longer to unpack them than to fit them.

BTW, those green candy things.... they don't taste too good, but <shrug> I guess I can learn to like them.

Have them fitted and they look very good.

Since everything is pretty much closed for Easter now, I'll see how I feel about painting or getting them painted, after the holidays.

Thanks again.

regards,CrazyCam

[Rider Rick]

LOL, glad they made it! I wasn't sure how rough the trip would be. Those green peanuts are made of corn...you can throw them away in the trash, they will dissolve in water, too I read. Let us know when you get them painted. I've had the same idea for mine.

[gregor]

Scratches are less obvious on black unpainted covers. I've scratched all three sets of panniers over the years backing in /out of the garage or beside the house.

[CRazyCam]

Well, first chance I had after Easter, and I went to a motorcycle repair and paint shop for a quote on doing the two city pannier lids to match my Mystic Red bike.

$400, plus GST, or $440 all up!

I actually went home on the bike, dismounted the lids and was heading back to the shop in the wife's car with the lids in the boot, before my Scottish background kicked in...... $440 to paint 2 bits of plastic not much bigger than a foolscap sheet each?

I'll learn to live with black.

regards,CrazyCam

[Xdot]

Get them sprayed with a thin coat of Rhinoliner/Linex. Gives them a great, tough pebbly texture that resists scratches.