How difficult is it to do Silver leaf? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

dennish · 08-21-2009, 04:35 PM

I'm thinking of having my tank painted two tone. Since I always like to be a little involved with what I do I was thinking I could do the silver leaf stripe and then let a pro do the pin striping around it. Does this sound doable? I understand the area is masked off then an adhesive is applied then the leaf is transferred to the adhesive. BTW, where do you buy silver leaf? Thanks.

kustom_flames · 08-21-2009, 04:43 PM

You can find many different leafs at a craft store. Do they have a Michael's near you? Basically you use the spray adhesive apply the leaf and you're about done...Best done in small applications - inside lettering, small designs...not sure how big you want to go with your stripe...

dennish · 08-21-2009, 05:19 PM

Thanks Kustom,
I was thinking about a band/stripe starting out in the front of the tank about 3/4" and tapering down to 3/16" or so. Is there any care or way you transfer to the leaf to the adhesive? Not sure whether you are familar with a blue and white RK in Hot Bike Baggers a few months ago called Road Bling. Anyway that's the paint scheme I want to duplicate only with black and titanium.

shrinkman2 · 08-21-2009, 05:35 PM

You simply tape off and then spray a solution of sticky...then simply lay the sheets on the sticky and usually with a very small brush, push/tamp the leaf down so it sticks....You'll then simply blow off what doesn't stick or pick up the sheet and reuse again, following the same procedure mentioned above. Saw one recently done with a three inch wide stripe done like this....Looks great...Only issue is your painter will have to stack the clear on really thick in order to be able to sand it back down slick to buff to gloss. When clear is this thick it has the potential to crack. Chance you take but damn it looks good.

Traakon · 08-21-2009, 05:54 PM

This is Verigated gold leaf our painter did. The clear over it really makes the leaf pop and the layer of clear does not need to be that heavy for the leaf.

Good Luck with yours.

HDWRENCH · 08-21-2009, 06:32 PM

I have messed with it and agree clear does not have to be heavy. However I would not get yourself in the mid set that you will be able to apply it perfect the first time. I found no wind, great light and no caffine to be helpful. Too much glue no good , too little and you cannot move the leaf and it tears. I got some tips off a pin stripe web site.

dennish · 08-21-2009, 07:15 PM

Thanks Steve, that's the info I was looking for, I don't want to screw up a nice paint job trying something for the first time and having it cost me double to do over again.

kustom_flames · 08-21-2009, 07:16 PM

Well said. Yup, would definitely suggest a test panel first to see if you get the result you are after.

dennish · 08-21-2009, 07:16 PM

[quote=Traakon;1660505]This is Verigated gold leaf our painter did. The clear over it really makes the leaf pop and the layer of clear does not need to be that heavy for the leaf.

That sure is purdy.

HDWRENCH · 08-21-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennish

Thanks Steve, that's the info I was looking for, I don't want to screw up a nice paint job trying something for the first time and having it cost me double to do over again.

You have a killer painter in your area. ED hubbs at full blowcustom. Tell him I said hello.

Traakon · 08-21-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennish

...I don't want to screw up a nice paint job trying something for the first time and having it cost me double to do over again....

I really cannot comment on that but I know what your saying.

dennish - The wife really loves her bike now that we have finished it.

I did some gold leafing way back on some replicated 13th centurt pieces. I wasted alot of leaf trying to get it really smooth and never succeeded. Had to be happy with mostly smooth. The verigated does a lot to hide that sort of thing.

Our painter for the wife's bike has been doing some silver leaf with machine turning.....gawd that's sweet stuff.

DRG · 08-21-2009, 08:33 PM

dennish, this is some leaf I did on my rear fender. You need to tape off area using 3M green. Has a sharp edge and doesn't leave residue. There are two types of sizing quick & slow dry. This I applied with a brush. After applying size pull tape. I used quick dry and waited for dry time by brushing on test piece at the same time and wiping back of knuckle across until it queaks, about ten minutes. Then apply leaf and dab with a cotton ball. Don't wipe or put a lot of pressure it will fracture. Real silver leaf will tarnish even under clear. I think most use aluminun but not sure. www.kustomkulturelounge.com is a great website. They have a search feature like this site. Practice and patience. If I can do it anybody can!!!!

Good Luck,
Dave

dennish · 08-22-2009, 12:14 AM

DRG, that fender is sweet! I may go out and buy some leaf and give it a test run on an old tank.

DRG · 08-22-2009, 07:21 AM

I forgot to mention to put a thin coat of size on. Just enough to cover, it goes a long way. Leafing also comes in rolls if you are going to do striping like I did. Two good suppliers are:
www.TCPglobal.com
www.coastairbrush.com

Dave