Too much sanding

 
In an effort to get a smooth and loveable surface, I ended up going through the black into the primer. Wouldn't have been an issue if my primer were black, but the stupid grey stands out too much. I'll have to touch this up with a coat of black and then another red coat. Hopefully I'll get a better result this next time since I've already sanded down some of the highest spots.

This is the effect I was going for

 

This is the level of red/black balance I was hoping for. Acually, if it were my bike, I would have done the inverse, mostly black, with red revealed underneath.

The reveal

 

This is the lacquerware effect I was going for. I am leaning towards revealing more of the black underneath, but it's a bit precarious since I could sand through to the grey basecoat underneath. Lots of patience, time and 400 grit sandpaper.

 

 

All will be revealed

 
Soon we'll get to the cool part!

Holy crap it's been a while

 


Finally getting down to business and putting some paint on. Too bad it was a hundred degrees all weekend, nothing quite like paint that dries before it hits the frame!

The smaller frame requires a bit more sanding and filling after the first primer coat, but the large one for Vinod. is just waiting to set up and get some finish sanding and logo painting. The effect we're going for is that of aged laquerware. Hopefully it won't take too much work to reveal the underlying black paint. With Risheeta's I'm going for a similar effect but with dark brown bamboo, and kind of a coppery gold over black. Should look pretty good when all is said and done.
And I haven't even shown off the headtube badges yet! Not my handiwork, but spectacular!