INDIAN MOTORCYCLE PAINT

Your project is to repaint your Indian motorcycle. After dismantling the various parts to carry out the paintwork, and after ordering the colour prepared according to the colour codes of American motorcycles —particularly the Indian® motorcycle colour code—you can begin your touch-up or full paint job.

Choosing your paint is crucial, and before ordering your motorcycle colour, you need to identify the Indian colour code located on your fairings. Once you have the paint reference, you can check with us whether this Indian colour code is available (in the form of a formula) in our database. It may happen that a colour is not registered in our database because it is too old or, in some cases, too recent.

The ordering process is quick and simple online: simply choose the can or the aerosol on the product page below: "Indian paint in 1K basecoat version".

Select the quantity required to paint your part or the whole motorcycle (allow approximately 250 ml per square metre. A 1L kit is usually enough for a full motorcycle).

Enter the colour reference in the designated box at the "basket" stage, or more easily, send it to us by email after completing the order. We are very prompt in preparing orders: if your order reaches us before 3 p.m., it will be mixed immediately by our colourist and dispatched by 4 p.m. Deliveries are made within 24 hours in France, or 48 to 72 hours for other European countries.

Indian motorcycle colour codes

Our manufacturer paints are a perfect match to the original colours of the American manufacturer. We use precise formulations and prepare mixtures to the nearest hundredth of a gram.

Our paints are supplied in a solvent-based version. These are professional-grade paints offering superior finesse and faster drying. Compared to water-based bodywork paints, their ageing is much slower, with a lifespan exceeding 15 to 20 years.

You may use a professional to apply them. However, you can also apply them yourself and achieve a similar finish. For this, choose a suitable outdoor area, on a day with mild temperatures between 15°C and 25°C, and ideally without wind. Wet the surrounding area to reduce airborne dust during the painting process. You can also work in a garage, provided there is good air circulation to evacuate paint aerosols. Always follow safety precautions for handling and application.

Indian colour code paint is easy to apply. Shake well before use. It is ready to use, except for bulk versions where the thinner is provided separately. The key to applying Indian paint correctly, especially for pearl or metallic shades, is to apply very thin coats spaced one minute apart, until the surface is fully covered.

For some Indian manufacturer colours, a specific undercoat may be required. Our colourist will contact you in such cases to recommend a primer. What is always essential, however, is the application of a Topcoat (bodywork clearcoat) over the Indian paint. This clearcoat must be applied in two coats shortly after the paint, to ensure good adhesion between layers.

History of the Indian manufacturer

Just like early cars resembled tricycles at the beginning of the 20th century, most modern motorcycle manufacturers started out by producing bicycles and gradually added engines.

The Indian company was founded in 1897 by George Hendee, a bicycle manufacturer and passionate cyclist. He named his bikes "American Indian", which was later shortened to "Indian".

The Indian bicycle was already being exported in the late 19th century. However, once motors were added to the bikes, sales surged, and the company experienced rapid growth over the next ten years. By 1913, 32,000 units had been produced.

Indian motorcycle engines also evolved rapidly in size, reaching 1000 cc by 1916 with top speeds nearing 100 km/h. This marked the beginning of Indian’s motorcycle racing success, with victories in many competitions.

During World War I, the brand’s primary customer became the US Army, sidelining Indian’s entire retail network. It was during and after this period that rival Harley-Davidson took the lead in the US market.

By World War II, Indian was a well-established manufacturer. The company developed models specifically for military use and benefited from technological advances. It is one of the few companies that did not go bankrupt during its history, even during the Great Depression.

The acquisition by Polaris Industries in the 21st century marked a major milestone. The brand's style and spirit were preserved, and new models emerged under the new ownership, such as the "Springfield", "Chieftain", and "Scout" in 2016, 2014, and 2015 respectively. Many more models followed, including the "Challenger Dark Horse" in 2020, equipped with 122 horsepower.

Where to find the colour code of your Indian motorcycle ?

As with all motorcycles, the colour code is not displayed on the fairing parts or the engine, nor is it listed on the bike’s registration documents.

You can find the Indian colour code in the motorcycle's original booklet or by asking your dealer for this information.

It’s common for dealers to claim they don’t know this information. It’s also often difficult to obtain the Indian colour code. However, with a bit of persistence—particularly when following up with your dealer—you may be able to obtain it.

We also recommend browsing American motorcycle forums, where users often share helpful information about colour codes. This can be particularly useful for identifying hard-to-find or older codes.

For modern Indian motorcycles, especially those released within the last two years, the colour codes are often not yet referenced. It takes time for paint manufacturers’ laboratories to identify and reproduce these new shades.

The iconic colours of Indian motorcycles

Some colours from the American manufacturer Indian are more popular or well-known than others. Often, they are identified by name rather than by code. The most frequently ordered Indian colours include:

• Arizona Turquoise
• Cobalt Blue Metallic
• Dragon Green
• Steel Gray
• Gray Cloud Metallic. ..

The colour name is one way to designate a shade. The other is by using the colour code. Here are some examples from our database:

0001   WILLOW GREEN    INDIAN MOTORCYCLES    2011 -
0002   IVORY WHITE         INDIAN MOTORCYCLES    2011 -
639     INDIAN RED            INDIAN MOTORCYCLES    2017 -
C         RED                         INDIAN MOTORCYCLES    2009 -
P646   IVORY WHITE         INDIAN MOTORCYCLES    2011 -

There are of course hundreds of colour references, and unfortunately, not all of them are listed in our colour databases or available as matched formulations.

If in doubt, feel free to contact us by email at: colors@stardustcolors.com

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