Re-colouring indicator lenses.

[Mactriple]

While I was cleaning the inside of an indicator  lens the colouring started to come off which meant that it had been coloured from the inside. Does anyone have an idea of what paint could be used to re-colour it, rather than buy another? 
Ian

 

[Terry Dymond]

Orange! Sorry, couldn't resist (bolt)

 

[2volts]

I have heard of nail polish being used to do this.

pete

 

[Dellortoman]

G'day Ian

Never used it myself, but you could give this stuff a try. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tamiya-PS-43-Translucent-Orange-Polycarbonate-Spray-Paint-PS-43-/300960179591?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
If you try it, let us know how it turns out.

If it's a Laverda CEV lens, you can buy replacement lenses. I probably have a few old faded ones hanging around here somewhere if you're desperate.

There's a lesson here: Never clean your bike!

Cheers,
Cam

 

[drikko]

I vaguely remember supercrap having some paint to do that. Might be wrong though.

Edit: And I can't find it on their website but a few car forums suggest translucent modelling paint like wot Cam suggested, probably worth a go.

 

[MarnixSFC]

Tamiya has a clear orange (red too) paint. It's acrylic so not aggressive. Had excellent results with it.

Marnix

 

[nick7]

.....and don't try polishing the reflector in your headlamp as the silver is wafer thin, and it's cheaper to buy a new one than to gear resilvered don't ask me how I know! (congrats)

 

[ludiluka]

Hi there

You can buy tinting colour in spray bottle made just for jobs like this. They are available in different colours including orange.
Just be careful  to apply even layer. Try pirst somewhere else. And another thing is that more coats of coloue that you apply  less transparent and stronger became

 

[Terry Dymond]

Sorry for being a smartarse earlier on. I did mine (not on a Laverda though) with one of those little tins of Humbrol model paint, used thinners to thin the paint a bit. Did the job but you can't beat getting a new lense.

 

[Mactriple]

Thanks Gents!,
The lens is from a Bimota SB2 and the replacement lenses are from a Lancia Fulvia and are too expensive to buy even though they are available. I will look into the above options. Thanks.
Ian

 

[Grant]

Are they the same as on the SB3 Bimota?
If so then they can be bought in any Vespa shop.
I bought a pair of brand new lenses last week for one on an autojumble for 7 euros the pair.

 

[Mactriple]

Grant,
The SB3 ones are different  to the SB2and closer to the Jota fairing indicators.
Ian

 

[henry]

you can make your own 'clear' orange by mixing some normal 'solid' paint with some clearcoat - if you've got an airbrush to apply it, it works really well and if you use 2k it seems to stick well and last forever.

 

[sonicboom500]

+1 for the Tamiya colour as an easy option.
Used to use it for the lexan blow moulded bodyshells for radio control cars.
Touring car shells were often shredded but the paint stayed on.
If you can roughen up the inside slightly you will get a more uniform coating less likely to thin on the ridges
and pool in the hollows. Build up thin coats until you get the shade you want.

 

[Ian D]

The candy apple colours from your local Auto paint supply  red, orange etc.
Haven't used them myself yet but will go do that path when I start restoring a car.
and will try them out on a sacrificial piece first.

 

[Mactriple]

I ended up running with the Tamiya paint. The final result was good but not the same as a new lens, but as new ones a quite expensive this has been a very good alternative. Just for the record. the spray is quite fine and allows an even layer to go on each time. It dries quickly and does allow you to pick the amount of colouring required. Thanks.
Ian