Carbon Forks - Strip and paint

[dhd.evans1]

I'm getting my bike painted because reasons. The frame is aluminium which the paint shop is happy with, but the forks are carbon fibre and the shop won't touch them.

Has anyone here stripped and painted a set of carbon forks and if so, how and do you have any tips for a newbie like me?

 

[Cycleops]

I should leave them alone. Why do you want to paint them?

 

[Hacienda71]

Can't see why sanding a pair of carbon forks and repainting would be an issue. The top layer of carbon tends to be aesthetic layer so you are highly unlikely to affect the structural integrity of the fork.

 

[Cycleops]

...but would the paint stick and what paint would you use?
Does it need a sealer?
Maybe someone has experience of doing this.

 

[figbat]

If the fork is already painted it just needs a light keying and painting as usual, no?

 

[Rusty Nails]

The only possible problem I could think of would be if the job needed heat treatment to harden the paint. I don't know enough about carbon and paint baking temperatures.

 

[Peter Salt]

What kind of paint shop is it? Surely, not one that specializes in bicycles - if that's the case I've no idea why they would refuse do do a CF component. If it's a local 'scratch and dent'mechanic that's another story - they might not have anyone who's confident in handling CF.

It's very labor intense to strip paint off of CF - a lot of wet sanding basically.

 

[Sharky]

What would be the cost of the fork respray if it were alu as well?

You could compare against the price of a brand new fork. You could be lucky and find a clearance or bargain set. I picked up a set from planet x for £45 once.

 

[Chris S]

Perhaps the paint could react with the carbon fibre and weaken it? You can't spray certain plastics (e.g. motorbike helmets) for that reason.

 

[Hacienda71]

There are plenty of websites saying which paints to use on CF frames. It doesn't seem at all complicated.

 

[Tim Bennet.]

Painting carbonfibre isn't really a problem. Degrease the fork with warm water and washing liquid and abrade very lightly with 320grit wet and dry (used wet) until the surface is matt. Then use a two-pack paint system from any reputable marine paint manufacturer, such as AkzoNobel (International, Awlgrip) or Hempel.

Unfortunately going that route is going to be really expensive because the minimum quantities and equipment will be ludicrous for one pair of forks. Maybe another source would have smaller quantities, but I would look at getting them vivyl wrapped. Places are offering to do bikes even with clear wrap being used as protection over paint. You could even have a cabonfibre effect done.

 

[dhd.evans1]

I should leave them alone. Why do you want to paint them?

New paint scheme will be green, the forks are currently painted teal/silver/grey. Not a match!

 

[dhd.evans1]

What would be the cost of the fork respray if it were alu as well?

You could compare against the price of a brand new fork. You could be lucky and find a clearance or bargain set. I picked up a set from planet x for £45 once.

Fork spray would be included so £60 total!

The forks are direct mount brake and I wouldn't know where to start looking for new ones.

 

[dhd.evans1]

If the fork is already painted it just needs a light keying and painting as usual, no?

Never painted a bike so going in blind!

 

[dhd.evans1]

What kind of paint shop is it? Surely, not one that specializes in bicycles - if that's the case I've no idea why they would refuse do do a CF component. If it's a local 'scratch and dent'mechanic that's another story - they might not have anyone who's confident in handling CF.

It's very labor intense to strip paint off of CF - a lot of wet sanding basically.

Aye, several different shops I've been in touch with (IPF painting in Glenrothes, Pentland in Broxburn, couple of body shops in Arbroath) have all said "Nae danger" to CF forks.