I ordered a Motorvation Spyder with black gelcoat. The cost of the car is about $4K. With a two tone paint job to match the bike it is about $5k.
The question is, aside from the cost to appearance question which I can only answer for my self, are there other pros or cons to selecting either of these finishes?
Thank you in advance for your comments.
A couple years ago I purchased an aftermarket fairing for my RoadKing. Black gelcoat. It was as good (or very close to as good) as paint. So I never painted it. Matched the bike really well.However, most of the gelcoat I have seen over the years does need paint. For me, sidecars look far better when they color match the tug. If your bike is black, and the gelcoat matches, I would leave it alone, no paint to chip, etc. Otherwise I'd paint it.jmho, of ocurse,
If your bike is black you can try it with the gelcoat and see how it holds up. You may be able to beat the $1,000.00 price on paint with a little shopping later.
The main difference these days with gelcoat or not is the gelcoat doesn't have resistance to the sun's UV rays and it will fade in time. Some have waxed the finished and it lasted a long time, others have had early fading. Mainly in the sunnier climates.
Any paint will protect the gelcoat from checking or eroding.
Lonnie
