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I'm thinking of doing a light sanding and repaint of one of my /5 gas tanks. I don't want to completely strip it down to the primer, I just want to get rid of some light scratches and worn off pinstripes. I'm assuming Glasurit or similar was used at the factory, does anyone know what is the modern day compatible, preferably rattle can, equivalent?

There are so many colors of black paint that you really do have to be careful. I would test out any paint first in bright sunlight.

I was wrong a couple of times on black paint.

I had good luck with one name brand that escapes me now. Name a popular quality brand and that will jog my memory. The color was a very good match for the BMW black. However, no reason to think that some 35 years later it is still the same color.

Yes Duane, I know how the color "black" can be different. I've seen some that are a dark chocolate brown in direct sunlight. What I'm more concerned with is the chemical compatibility. I don't want the new paint bubbling up or peeling off at the slightest touch. Note: I've used Rustoleum black lacquer on other bits I have painted from scratch. Good color and coverage, but I believe it is oil based and took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to completely dry.

This is off topic, but Tim, your avatar is distracting. In a good way of course.

I have been told recently that Glasurit it still in business and the correct black is still offered, they are in New Jersey (I think).

Vince

Holt sells small quantities of the Glasurite, but I do not believe it is available in rattle can.

If you paint all the body parts, then matching the black is far less important. If you are just doing touch up on the tank, then it is vital. If you are painting the whole tank but nothing else, then it's somewhere in-between.

Ditzler (now PPG) and Martin-Senour are the two pro companies I'm most familiar with. Both companies have a lot of different blacks. You used to be able to get real automotive Martin-Senour paint in rattle cans from NAPA. Colorite has some very decent stuff in cans, and has matches for many motorcycycles. Eastwood is another company with real automotive paint in cans. Any of these suggestions should yield better results than Rustoleum or Dupli-Color.

Most factory finishes can be topped with almost anything, but an epoxy sealing primer is the best insurance (they are very thin, not a "build" primer like you use for sanding). Then just go with a paint from the same manufacturer that is designed to go over that sealing primer, and you should be able to get close to a pro finish if you are careful.

I haven't used this paint manufacturer or vendor yet. I probably will use them if and when I ever get to repainting my /5.
They advertise equivalent with 086 Avus black, but also claim other crossover codes.
Color Rite

<http://colorrite.com/product/bmw-avus-black-2138.cfm>

Perhaps someone has tried this brand?

Sorry if the link isn't clickable. I haven't learned the tricks on the "newer" forum.

hank2

Try this outfit. Excellent product and have all BMW colours. Sell in small qtrys for touch ups as well as rattle cans and bigger quantity for air spraying. They are UK based but ship everywhere.

http://www.rsbikepaint.com/en-us/colours.php

Used their rattle cans to redo a R90/6..fenders, side covers and tank. They also sell correct pinstripe paint in small container.
Here's pic of the bike...pinstiping a friend did...not perfect but acceptable. Sold bike a few years ago.



No affilliation with them...just satisfied customer.

Friend is also doing a black tank on his 72 R60 with this product...repaired tank dents and dings,,,using the RS Paints black so we'll see how it turns out.

davidaid wrote:This is off topic, but Tim, your avatar is distracting. In a good way of course.

Thanks Dave, life needs it's little distractions, don't you think? Thanks for the good info, y'all.