Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: skeet on September 24, 2011, 09:18:31 AM

Title: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: skeet on September 24, 2011, 09:18:31 AM
I have the stock shield and a ceebailys that I want to tint.
What have you guys done to accomplish this?
What type of paint and prep work?
I am not a painter but I could prolly swing this knowing some tricks up front.
I have seen people mention auto tint places but that it could curl up or bubble.
Thanks,
Wayne
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: koval68 on September 24, 2011, 10:41:35 AM
If I remember correctly, some of our forum members have used a VHT paint...
http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/ (http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/)
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Barry on September 24, 2011, 11:01:30 AM
I did mine with a rattle can of satin black.  I've done 2, both turned out fine.  I paint the "back" side, or rider side, of the shield.

Top pic is of a OEM shield cut down 4", the others are the OEM shield just painted.  I needed a cut down shield for summer.

*EDIT*

I'm 5'9" ish and the OEM height painted shield is not a problem to see over.  FYI>

*EDIT*

Barry

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/barryandsandra/3abb24ee.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/barryandsandra/23ca48ff.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/barryandsandra/b469cef6.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/barryandsandra/6e804165.jpg)

And my Poodle likes it... so THERE.

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/barryandsandra/ded9493c.jpg)
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: So Cal Joe on September 24, 2011, 11:59:33 AM
I have never tinted one but I would think you could take it to a window tint shop and they can do it. A rattle can would black it out and not just be a tint.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 25, 2011, 06:54:09 AM
I wanted to tint my stocker and I used the VHT Niteshades stuff. I prepped the shield and did a test spray on another piece of plastic, seemed to work fine in my test so I gave the shield a go.

The valve on the can started to sputter and it messed up my nice even coat. I ended up using multi coats and blacking out the shield instead of tinting. I didn't like it and bought the CalSci tinted shorty instead.

I plan on cutting the blacked out shield down 3 or 4"and using it as my summer shield.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Barry on September 25, 2011, 07:02:25 AM

I plan on cutting the blacked out shield down 3 or 4"and using it as my summer shield.

FYI - the delta between full up, and full down, is 4".  I cut my OEM screen 4", so at full height, it is no higher than the OEM screen in the lowest position.  With it all the way down, I get really good torso/crotch airflow.  I'm 5'9".

Barry
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: skeet on September 25, 2011, 07:05:49 AM
Thanks for the info. I was wondering if the rattle can went crazy what would happen. Sounds like once that stuff hits the screen you are committed to what ever you get. Blackening it out all the way would prolly be good with me. I always am able to look over the screen anyways.
What is the difference in appearance between full black out and the nite shades?
Seems like it would just be a darker tint? No other noticeable difference?
Thanks,
Wayne
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 25, 2011, 07:09:25 AM
FYI - the delta between full up, and full down, is 4".  I cut my OEM screen 4", so at full height, it is no higher than the OEM screen in the lowest position.  With it all the way down, I get really good torso/crotch airflow.  I'm 5'9".

Barry

4 inches it will be then.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 25, 2011, 07:11:36 AM
I used VHT niteshades and the key to it is doing very light coats.  I got a little heavy handed and ended up with a black, cut down stocker.  It didn't bother me in the least since it is so short that I would have to put my chin bar on the tank when the shield is in the full up position to look through it.  But if you are careful you can get a tint effect from the VHT product, you just need to be more careful than I was.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 25, 2011, 07:15:08 AM
Thanks for the info. I was wondering if the rattle can went crazy what would happen. Sounds like once that stuff hits the screen you are committed to what ever you get. Blackening it out all the way would prolly be good with me. I always am able to look over the screen anyways.
What is the difference in appearance between full black out and the nite shades?
Seems like it would just be a darker tint? No other noticeable difference?
Thanks,
Wayne

The Nite Shades if done right and on a small area yields good results and looks like a tint job. I tried to get it nice and even but when that valve sputtered it screwed up the whole thing. I had many a choice word to say about that valve when it happened; I got pissed and just put a bunch of coats on.

I'm certainly no painter so maybe someone else with some skills could get a nice even coat.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: skeet on September 26, 2011, 03:02:54 PM
Did you guys use any clear coat after?
Does the VHT Niteshades need the clearcoat?
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Barry on September 26, 2011, 04:25:11 PM
Did you guys use any clear coat after?
Does the VHT Niteshades need the clearcoat?

With my Krylon job, no clear.  I did the back side of the screen, so not needed.

Barry
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: timbo on September 26, 2011, 05:09:18 PM
The blacked out screen looks awesome compared to the clear. Does anyone have a pic of the cal sci tinted shorty for comparison to the full blacked out?
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: skeet on September 27, 2011, 10:54:23 AM
calsci tinted shorty.
Might be for sale if my tint job goes well on the stock shield.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 27, 2011, 11:01:34 AM
The blacked out screen looks awesome compared to the clear. Does anyone have a pic of the cal sci tinted shorty for comparison to the full blacked out?

Here's more pics of the shorty on a more beautiful and faster '08.

Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Loren on September 27, 2011, 11:27:12 AM
Conrad,  What are the small windscreens next to the mirrors? 
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 27, 2011, 11:36:00 AM
Conrad,  What are the small windscreens next to the mirrors?

They are Motax hand wings.  You can see more in this thread.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=306.msg3916#msg3916 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=306.msg3916#msg3916)

You beat me to my edit, Loren.  I was a little slow on the draw.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Loren on September 27, 2011, 11:37:22 AM
Found them...Motax
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 27, 2011, 12:20:18 PM
I love those Motax air deflectors! The pics above are from last year but I just put the air deflectors back on my bike as the temps are running a lil cooler lately. They move the air stream up above my hands and allow me to wear much thinner gloves than I would have without them and still have warm hands.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Loren on September 27, 2011, 09:22:52 PM
Conrad, thanks....I contacted a Motax dealer in France to see about ordering a pair.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Khrome on September 27, 2011, 10:07:49 PM
Conrad,  What are the small windscreens next to the mirrors?

 I was fixing to ask which brand those were myself... Does anyone know what the "side spoilers" are on the kawasaki site? there are no pictures of them on there...  ::)
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: The Pope on September 28, 2011, 04:03:36 AM
Does anyone know what the "side spoilers" are on the kawasaki site? there are no pictures of them on there...  ::)

Go to the UK Kawa site: http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/1400GTR (http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/1400GTR)
There's a photo there of theses side spoilers.
Maybe someone has them and can provide feedback on their performance.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 28, 2011, 05:05:13 AM
Conrad, thanks....I contacted a Motax dealer in France to see about ordering a pair.

I was fixing to ask which brand those were myself... Does anyone know what the "side spoilers" are on the kawasaki site? there are no pictures of them on there...  ::)

I was part of a group buy on those air deflectors last year. We went through David Cork at http://www.streetfightersbydesign.com/ (http://www.streetfightersbydesign.com/)

If you guys are serious about wanting these I would contact David, he had a few left over from the buy and was trying to sell them on ebay. He's a nice guy to talk to and has a great accent.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1946.msg21568#msg21568 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1946.msg21568#msg21568)
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Barry on September 28, 2011, 05:56:39 AM
What ^^^^^ he said... and....

They work VERY, VERY well.  Make hands a non-issue in cool weather.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 28, 2011, 06:15:44 AM
I was part of a group buy on those air deflectors last year. We went through David Cork at http://www.streetfightersbydesign.com/ (http://www.streetfightersbydesign.com/)

If you guys are serious about wanting these I would contact David, he had a few left over from the buy and was trying to sell them on ebay. He's a nice guy to talk to and has a great accent.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1946.msg21568#msg21568 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1946.msg21568#msg21568)

I emailed him yesterday and he said that he was all out.  Sucks too, because those are the best looking wings IMO. 
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 28, 2011, 09:04:24 AM
I emailed him yesterday and he said that he was all out.  Sucks too, because those are the best looking wings IMO.

One of the members of this board was making something very similar using one piece of plastic for a good price too if I remember correctly. I can't remember his name though...
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 28, 2011, 09:13:35 AM
One of the members of this board was making something very similar using one piece of plastic for a good price too if I remember correctly. I can't remember his name though...

Hmmm, don't remember reading about that.  Hopefully someone can help me out since I would love to have some additional wind protection for my hands this winter, might make the grip heaters a bit more efficient.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: stevewfl on September 28, 2011, 09:37:21 AM
If I remember correctly, some of our forum members have used a VHT paint...
http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/ (http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/)

^^^^that
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 28, 2011, 11:15:51 AM
Hmmm, don't remember reading about that.  Hopefully someone can help me out since I would love to have some additional wind protection for my hands this winter, might make the grip heaters a bit more efficient.

I just did a quick search for who was making those air deflectors and I can't find it. You might want to start a new thread about it and find out who it was?
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 28, 2011, 03:14:30 PM
I just did a quick search for who was making those air deflectors and I can't find it. You might want to start a new thread about it and find out who it was?

I might do that, I was on Baker's site today and I didn't even realize that their hand wings were only $60.  I'm not a huge fan of how they look compared to the Motax wings, but if they serve a purpose then I might go ahead and get them.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on September 28, 2011, 03:37:40 PM
I might do that, I was on Baker's site today and I didn't even realize that their hand wings were only $60.  I'm not a huge fan of how they look compared to the Motax wings, but if they serve a purpose then I might go ahead and get them.

You're going to settle?  :o
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 28, 2011, 06:32:46 PM
You're going to settle?  :o

I have a thread asking for info, I will give up and buy the Baker's once I get cold enough to spend $60.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 29, 2011, 04:40:59 AM
The Baker's work fine for me on my 08.  I don't think they look that bad.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Loren on October 03, 2011, 11:49:28 AM
I tinted a clear Calsci windshield this weekend using auto window film tint.  The spoiler is a MRA and factory tinted.  It turned out okay and looks awesome from horseback at 20mph.

(http://www.motorbikesaddles.com/images/IMG_3901.jpg)

(http://www.motorbikesaddles.com/images/IMG_3902.jpg)

(http://www.motorbikesaddles.com/images/IMG_3904.jpg)

Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on October 03, 2011, 11:56:15 AM
I tinted a clear Calsci windshield this weekend using auto window film tint.  The spoiler is a MRA and factory tinted.  It turned out okay and looks awesome from horseback at 20mph.


What did the horse think of his new farkle?
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Loren on October 03, 2011, 12:17:11 PM
The horse was very impressed, but called BS when I told him there was 156 ponies under the fairing.
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Conrad on October 03, 2011, 12:18:55 PM
The horse was very impressed, but called BS when I told him there was 156 ponies under the fairing.

Smart horse! 
Title: Re: I want to tint my windscreen. What are the options?
Post by: Loren on October 03, 2011, 01:26:30 PM
Smart horse!

Good thing I wasn't riding the donkey.     ;D