Bike spraying

[Rupie]

Evening,

Just acquired an old steel fixie, from a friend. Its not a specific brand or model but the paint is in a sorry state.

I thought of respraying it and changing the colour from a bad red to something more relaxed and lighter. The taking it apart bit isn't hard but not sure of the actual paint bit, is it a bad idea, I have no special facilities, just a garage and lots of enthusiasm. I don't have a million pounds either.

Thanks

 

[roadrash]

No idea about painting, is powder coating an option generally about £40 for frame and forks round here

 

[Rupie]

Thanks, I'll have a look, it could be.

 

[Drago]

+1 for powder coat. Tough, cheap, attractive, easy, just like me.

 

[si_c]

Another vote for powder coating, by the time youvey bought everything you'll need (paint remover, paint, clear coat), you'll pay not much less anyway.

Plus powder coating will last forever.

 

[Cycleops]

If you want to spend the money go the powder coat route, if you don't its plenty of sandpaper, elbow grease and a rattle can.

 

[C R]

If you want to spend the money go the powder coat route, if you don't its plenty of sandpaper, elbow grease and a rattle can.

I did that with my bike last summer, and as @si_c said, I probably spent as much on materials as if I had sent it off somewhere. It was fun though, but I don't think I would do it again.

 

[iluvmybike]

I did that with my bike last summer, and as @si_c said, I probably spent as much on materials as if I had sent it off somewhere. It was fun though, but I don't think I would do it again.

The frame prep is the hardest part and if not done properly means your DIY paint job can be a poor finish - so for what it costs defo worth getting it done professionally. Stove enamelling is lovely but a bit expensive

 

[midlife]

If you are getting it powder coated, check that they know which silicone bungs to use to protect the threads

 

[C R]

The frame prep is the hardest part and if not done properly means your DIY paint job can be a poor finish - so for what it costs defo worth getting it done professionally. Stove enamelling is lovely but a bit expensive

Preparation is key, I spent a lot longer cleaning and sanding than painting, and used tons of sandpaper of different grades.

 

[Vantage]

I resprayed my forks which require way much less work than a frame.
The sanding of the old paint was a pain in the ass.
Smoothing it was a pain in the ass.
Priming it was a pain in the ass.
Painting it was a pain in the ass.
Clear coating it was a pain in the ass.
I plan on getting the frame and forks resprayed soon as the vantage is showing her age these days.
I'm letting some poor sap at a professional paint shop do it next time.

 

[Drago]

If you must spray it yourself, they finish it with Spraymax 2K lacquer. Anything else just chips and falls off. The downside is that while Spraymax is proper stuff, it ain't cheap, and with primer, paint and consumables you've spent as much as getting it powder coated. I'd only consider that rooute if I were doing a resto and trying to either preserve or recreate an original paint job.

 

[alicat]

+1 for powder coating. I love the fact that I don't have to worry about the finish chipping.

 

[fossyant]

Most alloy wheel refurb places take bikes. One near me charges £50 including media blasting. He even posts pictures of the finished frames and wheels on his Facebook page.

It will cost you more in time and materials to DIY and it won't be as tough.

 

[chriswoody]

I'm currently at the painting stage with my Bamboo bike. Unfortunately powder coating is not an option, so it's the traditional way for me. I'm going to be using paint from spray.bike which works like a powder coat and is supposedly less work than car paints. However, the prep work is still laborious and good results not guaranteed.