So I've decided to throw a little paint on the scoot.. DONE!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 5:28 pm

But after searching through here and google, I haven't found any solid instructions for removing the deadlight and floorboard edge panels. I can't tell you how many different "painting my Buddy" and "panel replacement" threads that I have looked through, the pictures and descriptions always seem to go from Buddy with all the panels on, to Buddy with all of the panels off with no suggestion of how it was done.. then detailed info on how to paint, what to use, etc etc. I'm pretty sure I need to start with taking the front cover off, which I'm going to do anyway to change up the vinyl to match the new paint, but from there it seems like just a hunt for the attachment points of these panels.

I'd feel better about having some clue, and not having to wing it. I'm sure it's not that difficult, and simple to figure out... but I like to have some idea about what I should be looking for before I take any tools to my vehicles.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 5:40 pm

Pull off the rubber floormat. You will see some under there. There are some that screw in from the rear ( the foot area) and once you take off the front cover the rest are more obvious. If you are pulling and it doesn't pop free you missed one

. Let me try to find a panel pic tonite for ya.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 11:45 pm

Thanks Viney

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:31 am

Ooooh. What color... or is it a surprise?

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:47 am

I picked out a nice deep purpley color, I'd post a link but the color the company has online is nothing like the actual paint. I plan on putting a matte clear coat on it to make it look velvety as opposed to glossy and shiny.
I'm also going to be changing the stripes on the front, replacing the blue stripe with white, and the black one with a similar dark purple, I'm leaving the gold one though.
I plan on getting a gold and white 3 season jacket for myself for my birthday, I pretty sure it will match fine. I might paint my current helmets, or just leave them bright pink (they're more visible that way anyway). The new 3/4 helmet I'm getting is going to be silver to match the scoot, so I'll definitely put matching vinyl stripes on it.
...I really like things to match.

EDIT: Also, green and purple are my favorite colors, but I couldn't find a good green to go with the silver. I'm getting a little tired of being plastered in pink, but finding purple or green gear is next to impossible (I did find some nice rain gear that's black and purple with lots of reflective stuff though!!

). My Corazzo jacket is black and green, but it's a nice deep piney green, I think it will compliment the purple, gold, and white well.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:08 am

AWinn6889 wrote:I picked out a nice deep purpley color, I'd post a link but the color the company has online is nothing like the actual paint. I plan on putting a matte clear coat on it to make it look velvety as opposed to glossy and shiny.
I'm also going to be changing the stripes on the front, replacing the blue stripe with white, and the black one with a similar dark purple, I'm leaving the gold one though.
I plan on getting a gold and white 3 season jacket for myself for my birthday, I pretty sure it will match fine. I might paint my current helmets, or just leave them bright pink (they're more visible that way anyway). The new 3/4 helmet I'm getting is going to be silver to match the scoot, so I'll definitely put matching vinyl stripes on it.
...I really like things to match.

EDIT: Also, green and purple are my favorite colors, but I couldn't find a good green to go with the silver. I'm getting a little tired of being plastered in pink, but finding purple or green gear is next to impossible (I did find some nice rain gear that's black and purple with lots of reflective stuff though!! ). My Corazzo jacket is black and green, but it's a nice deep piney green, I think it will compliment the purple, gold, and white well.

I feel I'm a little OCD, and I have a matching issue too. I'm one of those oddballs that makes their cursor and desktop wallpaper match if they can. Anyhoo, definitely post pics cause I wanna see the new paint job, I think it will be awesome looking.

All these people painting their paneling is inspiring me to think it's not THAT big and undertaking... I have to stop being tempted to think so far forward though. Le sigh.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:21 am

LunaP wrote: I feel I'm a little OCD, and I have a matching issue too. I'm one of those oddballs that makes their cursor and desktop wallpaper match if they can. Anyhoo, definitely post pics cause I wanna see the new paint job, I think it will be awesome looking.

All these people painting their paneling is inspiring me to think it's not THAT big and undertaking... I have to stop being tempted to think so far forward though. Le sigh.

I can tell you, I am definitely OCD about some stuff, like I have to fold things like napkins, straw papers, gum wrappers and such before they are thrown away. If I don't I get headaches and am anxious and irritable for the rest of the day.
Anyway, yeah, things have to match. One of the reasons I bought the silver was because all of the gear I find is mostly black, so it was fairly easy to match to the black seat and accessories.
I will most definitely post pictures, more so that there is a DIY that includes taking the panels off with a good enough description so that even if the pictures are gone some day, it can still be easily figured out.

Cheer up Luna, before you know it you'll be all healed up good and scootin' again

xTomBx · Post by **xTomBx** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:37 am

Sounds great! Can't wait to see!!!

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:37 am

AWinn6889 wrote:
LunaP wrote: I feel I'm a little OCD, and I have a matching issue too. I'm one of those oddballs that makes their cursor and desktop wallpaper match if they can. Anyhoo, definitely post pics cause I wanna see the new paint job, I think it will be awesome looking.

All these people painting their paneling is inspiring me to think it's not THAT big and undertaking... I have to stop being tempted to think so far forward though. Le sigh.
I can tell you, I am definitely OCD about some stuff, like I have to fold things like napkins, straw papers, gum wrappers and such before they are thrown away. If I don't I get headaches and am anxious and irritable for the rest of the day.
Anyway, yeah, things have to match. One of the reasons I bought the silver was because all of the gear I find is mostly black, so it was fairly easy to match to the black seat and accessories.
I will most definitely post pictures, more so that there is a DIY that includes taking the panels off with a good enough description so that even if the pictures are gone some day, it can still be easily figured out.

Cheer up Luna, before you know it you'll be all healed up good and scootin' again

OCD as a condition is actually very interesting to me.
I'm actually plenty cheery, just have a lot of time on my hands and thus I find myself obsessing over things that are VERY far in the future for me. And lots of online window shopping.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:59 am

okay, can't find a pic that I can save to my computer...Sooo

The panel in the rear on the side has a screw in the front and back, then remove the metal foot step with allens and there should be 2 screws under there. Thats it if memory serves. The panels kind of snap into place with tabs. Be careful not to break those, though if you do its not the end of the world

The front panel has screws in the rear (4) that are very obvious, then I THINK there are 2 under the rear of the rubber matt. If you take the front cover off the mount points are obvious. Just take your time. Be careful of the electrical connections on the power plug. They pull off easy enough, but you can break a wire if you go to fast

Also, go here: there are pics of it apart. That should help.

topic17349.html

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 4:09 am

Straying from the topic a bit...it actually makes me feel a bit better to hear other folks talk about being a bit matchy.

I'm a bit matchy myself.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:39 pm

Ali, you're so multitalented!

I was just proud of myself for changing the brake lever on the Zuma without burning the neighborhood down...can't wait to see the new paint job.

NOTHING on my stuff matches, except the black gloves and jackets. Maybe someday!

Luna, are you thinking of another 170i or are you going to go with something different?

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:39 pm

ravenlore wrote:Straying from the topic a bit...it actually makes me feel a bit better to hear other folks talk about being a bit matchy.

I'm a bit matchy myself.

You're definitely not alone, Raven!

skully93 wrote:Ali, you're so multitalented!

I was just proud of myself for changing the brake lever on the Zuma without burning the neighborhood down...can't wait to see the new paint job.

NOTHING on my stuff matches, except the black gloves and jackets. Maybe someday!

Luna, are you thinking of another 170i or are you going to go with something different?

Isn't she?? I feel lame... I watched Lokky, but because of my broken hand, I never actually got the chance to learn to do stuff on my own before I lost Sailor Scoot.

No idea what I may get, I did really like the 170i. I want a scoot and a car, who knows if that will happen. I'm stuck holding my breath until green stuff falls from the sky.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:00 am

skully93 wrote:Ali, you're so multitalented!

I was just proud of myself for changing the brake lever on the Zuma without burning the neighborhood down...can't wait to see the new paint job.

NOTHING on my stuff matches, except the black gloves and jackets. Maybe someday!

Luna, are you thinking of another 170i or are you going to go with something different?

You name it, I can probably do it... or at least figure out how to half-ass it good enough

...at least when it comes to vehicles and/or any sort of "art."

Raven, I'm all about stuff matching, it's been bugging me that the current stripes don't match anything, but my bf's jacket... which is why I ordered 10 additional rolls of vinyl to be able to match with some paint and or do some funky design stuff.

Viney, thanks for the link and info. Unfortunately, I've already read through the manuals, all they say is "remove such and such panel" with no details how or where there connection points are.

Tearing down, cleaning and sanding begins tomorrow morning!
Prepping, painting and coating Tuesday afternoon

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:58 am

ravenlore wrote:Straying from the topic a bit...it actually makes me feel a bit better to hear other folks talk about being a bit matchy.

I'm a bit matchy myself.

i've got the matchy thang too. nearly every tee i own is some version of black and white--just like my scooter.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:10 pm

So it looks to me like I have to take the whole front end apart just to get the deadlight PANEL off, because it's one piece, and the opening doesn't fit over the wheel.
This is turning into a bigger project than I anticipated...

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:48 pm

AWinn6889 wrote:So it looks to me like I have to take the whole front end apart just to get the deadlight PANEL off, because it's one piece, and the opening doesn't fit over the wheel.

I'm sorry to confirm that this is true.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:46 pm

With the help of my Beautiful Assistant (aka boyfriend) everything has been removed and had a bath. I've taken a bunch of pictures and will put together a step by step DIY as I go along, that will be posted here once everything is done and put back together.
I'm saving all of the pictures to facebook as I do certain steps though, so those who are FB friends of mine will be able to see everything first.

(If you're not, and want to be, here is my page. I will put you in a "Scooter friends" list so that you don't have to see my daily rants about how much I hate my p/t job, and how terribly people in Clifton Park suck.)

EDIT: Also, the ridiculous amount of pictures of my dogs that I post. They're funny, I can't help it.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:29 pm

AWinn6889 wrote:With the help of my Beautiful Assistant (aka boyfriend) everything has been removed and had a bath. I've taken a bunch of pictures and will put together a step by step DIY as I go along, that will be posted here once everything is done and put back together.
I'm saving all of the pictures to facebook as I do certain steps though, so those who are FB friends of mine will be able to see everything first.

(If you're not, and want to be, here is my page. I will put you in a "Scooter friends" list so that you don't have to see my daily rants about how much I hate my p/t job, and how terribly people in Clifton Park suck.)

EDIT: Also, the ridiculous amount of pictures of my dogs that I post. They're funny, I can't help it.

Timeline makes me want to stab myself in the eye. When I view your page, there is no option to send you a friend request.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:46 pm

I couldn't agree more Luna. Timeline makes the baby jebus cry...

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:13 pm

LunaP wrote:Timeline makes me want to stab myself in the eye. When I view your page, there is no option to send you a friend request.

Ugh, stupid FB. Let me see if there's some new setting that I need to change or something. If not, I guess searching for "Ali Winn" would work... if you could find me... or maybe searching for "2 Wheels on Saratoga," idk if it will let you friend me from there as an admin or not.

EDIT: I fixed it. For some reason my privacy settings were set to only allow "friends of friends" to search, add, or message me (which doesn't exactly make much sense!), should be cool beans now.

Also, I've gone through and filled in the info to go along with all of the pictures I took/posted today. I have found that I need to take a couple more pictures to add between some of the steps that I have. I only have two hands, so the things that I needed two hands for ended up not being photographed. 'Doh. I will have to ask my lovely assistant to help when I put it back together.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:30 pm

Got most of the sanding done on the three parts this morning, though I will probably need to make another quick pass over a couple difficult spots.. otherwise I'm ready to start with the adhesion promoter, then paint!
I'll probably get to it friday after work, then let it set until next week, then a few coats of the matte clear coat, and again leave it to set for a few days.
Then they should be all purty and ready to put back on the scoot!

Thankfully we are only supposed to have 2 nice-ish days in the next 10 days, those being this Friday and Saturday, that I will miss while the scoot is in pieces. It's nice to have the option to ride cupcake on the Harley if we decide to go for a ride anywhere.. when the bf decides to paint that, he's s.o.l for a few days.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:56 pm

Yeah, this weekend is supposed to be very cool-springish here too. A shame, but it will make the good weather all the more welcome

.

since I'm on your fb, I shall check it out post haste!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:05 pm

skully93 wrote:Yeah, this weekend is supposed to be very cool-springish here too. A shame, but it will make the good weather all the more welcome .

since I'm on your fb, I shall check it out post haste!

I haven't posted my wonderful sanding pictures yet, and I still need to add a few for the previous steps. I need there to be more than 24 hours in day!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:09 am

So the bf and I finished painting the scoot and got it all put back together (minus a couple of things, and plus a few others, as you may notice.)

More photos and DIY to come within the next week!

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:24 am

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT Firefly coachworks badge?!?! I. Want. That.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:28 am

ThinkGeek:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/sti ... 6e8/?srp=3

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:00 pm

I like it!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:23 pm

Actually I ordered it via Amazon. It was a little cheaper than thinkgeek.
I also have a decal of the ship that I put on the windshield of the scoot... but I didn't get a picture of it on the scooter yet.

EDIT: Yes I did, I just didn't know that it actually saved on my phone. Here ya go!

EDIT EDIT: I recommend using a hair dryer to attach the Firefly Coachworks sticker, it was bubbling up around the edges today.

davidscooter · Post by **davidscooter** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:28 pm

* B * E * A * U * T * I * F * U * L *

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:25 pm

lovely--well done!

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:40 pm

Very nice! But I'm confused. In this thread you talk about vinyl tape, but then you talk about sanding and paint. Which did you use? Vinyl tape or paint?

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:01 pm

k1dude wrote:Very nice! But I'm confused. In this thread you talk about vinyl tape, but then you talk about sanding and paint. Which did you use? Vinyl tape or paint?

The stripes are vinyl, the panels are paint.
I have my own rolls of vinyl, but wrapping panels is very involved and really takes a professional to do. Paint is easily done by oneself.

Here it is out in the wild today, didn't run into any trouble having the DOT blinkers removed!

(and my lovely assistant

)

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:28 pm

AWinn6889 wrote:The stripes are vinyl, the panels are paint.
I have my own rolls of vinyl, but wrapping panels is very involved and really takes a professional to do. Paint is easily done by oneself.

Got it. Where did you buy your vinyl tape? And how wide is it? I can't seem to find a supplier of wide vinyl tape that doesn't charge a fortune.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:40 pm

Love it! Great job..

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:53 pm

k1dude wrote:
AWinn6889 wrote:The stripes are vinyl, the panels are paint.
I have my own rolls of vinyl, but wrapping panels is very involved and really takes a professional to do. Paint is easily done by oneself.
Got it. Where did you buy your vinyl tape? And how wide is it? I can't seem to find a supplier of wide vinyl tape that doesn't charge a fortune.

Well, as was suggested to me by another member here, I ordered from an ebay store called "Adaboy Arts." However they have since taken all of their products down. All of my rolls started out as 12"x10', the first five I ordered together totalled $19.99+shipping, the second order of 10 rolls was $32.00+shipping. I didn't need anything wider than that.
There are other sellers that have 24"x5' rolls as well, but they seem to be more expensive. I recommend searching "adhesive vinyl rolls" and going from there.

Thank you everyone for your kind words! I'm very proud of how it turned out!

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:22 pm

Amazon also has these:
http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Mechanix- ... 820&sr=8-3

$7.15

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:23 am

That turned out amazing.

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:33 am

Sweet! Very Nice. R

Rudie · Post by **Rudie** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:18 pm

That is incredible! It just goes to prove, "You can't stop the signal."