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High-viz yellow repaint of ABS plastic cycle fairings

I have a set of BMW f650 motorcycle fairings I would like repainted in the most vivid, obnoxious, high-visibility yellow that can be found. As an additive, I have been long searching for the reflective particles that are used in license plates, traffic signs, etc, to no avail. There are about 10 pieces, and I am fairly certain that they are ABS plastic. Not a lot of paint to be done. The parts are basically new. Not looking for the typical ultra custom motorcycle paint job, but rather just to simply strip them down, paint them, and clearcoat them for durability. No biggie. I would prefer to box them up and ship them off to the shop that can do the work.

Alex B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- San Antonio, Texas
2003

Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)

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Hi, Alex.

There are two ways to achieve high visibility retro-reflectivity. The diamond or prism back that see on the inside of a tail light reflector is one way; this pattern can be miniaturized, and some of the reflective tape, traffic signs, etc., that you see are done that way. The other way, probably more applicable to your needs is glass beads. You press these in after the paint is partially cured, rather than mixing it into the paint, so the top of the beads is not covered with paint. The white lines on many roads and highways are done this way.

I think the clearcoat would ruin this, so, instead, I think you would press the beads into the partially cured clearcoat. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 19, 2011