Re-painting a Racket

**ptang777** · 12-02-2003, 01:11 AM

Wondered if anybody tried to give their racket a completely new paint job. This is what I plan on doing:

1. Stripping the paint off my racket with some fine sandpaper.
2. Apply automotive paint primer
3. Apply automotive paint
4. Use a shiny gloss coating if needed.

Anyone know if automotive paint will do? Please posts some pictures if anyone has tried repainting their rackets.

**cooler** · 12-02-2003, 01:17 AM

Originally posted by ptang777
Wondered if anybody tried to give their racket a completely new paint job. This is what I plan on doing:

1. Stripping the paint off my racket with some fine sandpaper.
2. Apply automotive paint primer
3. Apply automotive paint
4. Use a shiny gloss coating if needed.

Anyone know if automotive paint will do? Please posts some pictures if anyone has tried repainting their rackets.

be careful that the solvent used within the auto paint does not react and weaken the matrix (resin) of the racket. I'm 100% sure that repainting will void the warranty.

**Dill** · 12-02-2003, 02:13 AM

I've tried touch up's many years ago with ceramic spray paint from a model shop to hide some glaring paint chips.

**Winex West Can** · 12-02-2003, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by cooler
I'm 100% sure that repainting will void the warranty.

Not only that but can't you imagine the manufacturer's surprise to see a racquet model comes in for warranty assessment with a completely different paint job.

**yonexfanatic** · 12-02-2003, 09:42 PM

it's an interesting idea...what would the new paint job look like? one color? if you've got some design, you must have some fine designing skills.

**ptang777** · 12-02-2003, 11:04 PM

Probably one colour. Not sure what though, but something metallic. I'll probably put it off until I get some time and ideas on the colour. If I do repaint my racket, I'll post some pictures here.

Originally posted by yonexfanatic
it's an interesting idea...what would the new paint job look like? one color? if you've got some design, you must have some fine designing skills.

**LazyBuddy** · 12-02-2003, 11:04 PM

Originally posted by Winex West Can
Not only that but can't you imagine the manufacturer's surprise to see a racquet model comes in for warranty assessment with a completely different paint job.

Then, make sure take good pics before the re-painting. If u need to use warranty later on, still have reference to re-paint everything back.

If they can not find out, u will be auto. qualified as the "painter".

**bluejeff** · 12-03-2003, 12:23 AM

I have done it before (8 years ago)
What I did was to use spray, and made the racket become "very blue"

Also, car paint works. In fact, that's what I use for patching rackets nowadays.
(I use geniue Honda Accord's pearl black; got it from Honda directly)

**ptang777** · 12-03-2003, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by bluejeff
Also, car paint works. In fact, that's what I use for patching rackets nowadays.
(I use geniue Honda Accord's pearl black; got it from Honda directly)

Did you apply a primer coat first? Does the paint hold fine and does the texture resemble the shiny smooth original paint?

**bluejeff** · 12-03-2003, 04:21 PM

Well, I didn't, but what I did was, to have 2 layers of paints (because the paint will shrink in a little bit)

**ptang777** · 12-03-2003, 08:30 PM

Anyways, I took the MP100 I no longer use and tried to strip the paint off with a file and sandpaper. It took too much effort so I stopped in the middle and just went ahead with the repainting. It turned out that stripping of the original paint was not necessary!

I DO NOT recommend trying to strip the paint because it's really hard to sand it down very smoothly. The sanded down part looks a bit bumpy and the unsanded part looked perfect!

The result was so amazingly cool! It looks much better than the original MP100 paint job. So I decided to try it on my main racket, a FORZA KEVLAR 600 CF.

I just finished the paint job and it looks PERFECT. I used 4 thin layers of automotive paint and 4 thin layers of automotive clear coat. The instructions on the clear coat spray says it takes about 5 days to completely harden. So I will restring the racket in a week.

I will post pictures of a comparison of the original racket and the repainted racket in about a week.

**Oranjmaan** · 12-03-2003, 10:34 PM

did u weigh b4 and after? it'll prolly add a lot of extra weight

**ptang777** · 12-04-2003, 12:48 AM

Originally posted by Oranjmaan
did u weigh b4 and after? it'll prolly add a lot of extra weight

No. I didn't weigh it. But I also have another identical backup racket, so if I can find a scale, I'll weigh them.

***kwun*** · 03-01-2005, 06:40 PM

i wonder if ptang777 still have the racket to show us the pic.

**ptang777** · 03-02-2005, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by kwun

i wonder if ptang777 still have the racket to show us the pic.

Yes, I will take some pictures when I get time. Oh, and I did weigh the painted and unpainted racquets with a gram scale I used at university but it's been over a year now. I remember it was about 5-7 grams heavier. You can definately feel a difference. I actually liked the feel of the painted one better.

***kwun*** · 03-02-2005, 12:46 AM

that will be great!

i am also curious what you did with the grommet holes. i imagine if the paint flows into the hole, it will make it smaller and you may have to do scrape off the paint inside (probably with a drill bit).

5-7 grams is quite a lot, but you did add 8 layers to it which is quite a lot! did it increase the diameter of the shaft and frame by a large amount?

**jcl49** · 03-04-2005, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by ptang777

Yes, I will take some pictures when I get time. Oh, and I did weigh the painted and unpainted racquets with a gram scale I used at university but it's been over a year now. I remember it was about 5-7 grams heavier. You can definately feel a difference. I actually liked the feel of the painted one better.

This could be potentially be a solution, for those who want 2u but can only purchase 3u racquets.

Originally Posted by kwun

did it increase the diameter of the shaft and frame by a large amount?

And for those who don't like slim shafts!!