Should I paint MK2s?

[djlotus]

I have two MK2s that I am repairing. I have all the parts now, and am ready to move forward with reassembling them. My question is should I paint them? They have obvious wear and tear on the corners which most MK2s have after all this time. The best price I can get to have them done professionally is $200, which would be a black automotive finish with flakes. If I did that, then I would want to replace the lights with LED's. That would cost $25 minimum.

Total so far I have put $250 into the decks combined. If I were to paint and and add LEDs, it would jump my investment up to around $500. I have seen MK2s sell for anywhere from $500 to $1100 a set unmodified.

What do you guys think?

[SpeshulEd]

You can go the cheap route and spray paint them yourself.

Painting is pretty easy, just remember to go slow, stand back a bit, and do multiple coats. If you screw up, you could always opt to have them professionally done.

[djlotus]

I've been thinking about painting them myself. Scouring the internet for tips to painting cast aluminum, proper painting/preparation tips, etc. While I know my way around a paint can and since I am a student now I have the time, I could easily do it myself, primer included. Having painted cars in my younger years, there is no substitute for being able to thin the paint at will, and bake the finished product. The tricky part is working with the primer they used when they made the decks. It should be as simple as cleaning, scuffing, priming, painting. That what worries me. Nothing is as simple as it seems.

I've put a PM to Nicadarus, but no response yet.

[SpeshulEd]

I've painted aluminum alloy in the past...my rims on my truck. I just cleaned them with ammonia soap and water, let dry, sanded/scuffed them, and then used rim paint, that was made for alloy rims...didn't use any primer.

Of course, these were rims, so I was just trying to make them look nice...they didn't really need to be pristine.

They've held up pretty well over the years considering its an offroad vehicle.

[Patch]

They definitely need painting - looks like they've been WELL used!

Shame - 'cos I love the finish on 1200's and would hate to have to paint mine.

[smiTTTen]

Here are some places worth checking if you want someone to do it for you.

USA

CALIFORNIA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dj-Hen...67478263300065

TEXAS
Joel Moreno @ Work It Records
Also check out Joel's Youtube Channel: KrazyDJ
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Work-i...74455035909765

CANADA

ONTARIO
Technics1200s.com
http://www.technics1200s.com

THE PHILIPPINES - MANILLA
Works1200
http://works1200.weebly.com/

[Electros2]

I've got a set at a local polishers £50 for the pair nice clean mirror finish have you thought about this route it's not to everyone's taste

[Patch]

Polished? Is that just sanded back and lacquered? £50 is a bargain...

Are you gonna buy some of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-1...#ht_557wt_1270

Polished decks would look NICE with some of these. I'd love to have the decals match the colours of the wave forms in my DVS (Red on the left, Blue on the right).

[Luconia]

I've put a PM to Nicadarus, but no response yet.

you may get faster response PMing him at DJF instead

[DjZzeless]

If you're in states, go get them powder coated, besides you're saving alot by putting them back together yourself!

Powder coating should run about $50 a piece!