Enamel or Smoothrite paint - what's best?

[DCLane]

I'm working on the 'Lethal Impact' bike, so called because it tried to kill me and it's previous owner. The non-turning right problem's been solved , as have the non-working brakes and the falling backwards seat .

In the process it's in about 27 pieces, so I've decided to give it a coat of paint particularly as it was a mixture of old paint, white touch-up and rust. It's in primer at the moment and I'm considering hand-painting it blue.

Now the decision; blue Smoothrite (or mid-green as I've got a tin of this) or Leyland Dark Blue tractor enamel? And would 750ml cover two coats?

Blue Smoothrite:

Green Smoothrite (got 750ml of this, supposedly for the gate!):

Leyland dark blue:

Note; the spend on this bike is intended to be minimal, since it'll probably be donated on. It's getting brush painted 'cos I feel like it!

 

[MattHB]

The green do a poll!

 

[Gareth]

Leyland Dark Blue ................... I spray that colour 2-3 times a week ............ I love it

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Do each tube a different colour.

 

[Gareth]

I'm considering hand-painting it blue.

Leyland Dark Blue tractor enamel? And would 750ml cover two coats?
Leyland dark blue:

Note; the spend on this bike is intended to be minimal, since it'll probably be donated on. It's getting brush painted 'cos I feel like it!

750ml will be more than enough for two coats ..... 250 ml will probably be more than enough for two coats.

Have you acquired the paint yet?
Do you have access to spraying equipment?
Would you like some Leyland Dark Blue (Cellulose) Paint that has already been thinned for spraying? ...... I will be chucking some around later this week, and it would be no trouble to send you some.

 

[DCLane]

750ml will be more than enough for two coats ..... 250 ml will probably be more than enough for two coats.

Have you acquired the paint yet?
Do you have access to spraying equipment?
Would you like some Leyland Dark Blue (Cellulose) Paint that has already been thinned for spraying? ...... I will be chucking some around later this week, and it would be no trouble to send you some.

Hi Gareth,

I've not got the paint yet - been busy with overdue exam papers today.

I'm brush painting it - but if the paint's usable I wouldn't say no. I was going to order some of the Leyland paint tomorrow ...

 

[Gareth]

I will decant some off for you when I am spraying on Wednesday ..... can you drop me your address in a private message please.

 

[DCLane]

I will decant some off for you when I am spraying on Wednesday ..... can you drop me your address in a private message please.

Thanks for the offer - it's most kind. PM sent and I'm happy to cover any postage costs.

The bike should be ready for the end of the month I hope. We're trying to get a few people 'up and moving' who really need to prepare for a 3 Peaks event in July, so that's what it's being built for.

 

[ColinJ]

Surely a brush-painted bike isn't going to look right, no matter how careful you are? I'd be tempted to stick the paint in something like an old Muc-off spray bottle and try spraying it with that, rather than using a brush.

 

[DCLane]

Surely a brush-painted bike isn't going to look right, no matter how careful you are? I'd be tempted to stick the paint in something like an old Muc-off spray bottle and try spraying it with that, rather than using a brush.

I'm not too bad brush painting; used to work in the paint dept. of a motor factors for 4 years

Enamel paint/Smoothrite, if done properly, can be brush-painted well. It's about how you put it on - rather than any other form such as standard cellulose/gloss. We did lots of enamel tractor/wagon paint and that's why I'm preferring this since I'm used to it. The Northern Ireland trains were all painted in my paint in 1992 - including the one I painted the colours on upside down

Since there's a team (indeterminable size atm) of walkers doing the event, they need to do some training. Bike rides have been suggested since several of the volunteers are 4+ stone overweight

 

[ColinJ]

Fair enough then! I'm not well-up on painting techniques and just imagined seeing fine brush strokes everywhere ...

 

[Gareth]

How is the bike repainting coming along?

 

[2Loose]

This I gotta see (In my yoof I brush painted several frames in Hammerite...YUKKK!)

 

[DCLane]

How is the bike repainting coming along?

It's starting ... I'm hoping to finish prep tomorrow and get the paint on Friday onwards. Can't do Saturday (marriage course - don't ask!) and Sunday (Evans Leeds sportive) unless my knee doesn't get better.

I want to get the prep done properly before paint goes on, otherwise it'll never look right.

This I gotta see (In my yoof I brush painted several frames in Hammerite...YUKKK!)

Gareth's kindly donated some enamel paint so I'm not using the Smoothrite. That'd go on OK but Hammerite never seems to get the same finish. Enamel should be better than both of those providing I use decent brushes, which I've bought.

 

[Gareth]

This I gotta see (In my yoof I brush painted several frames in Hammerite...YUKKK!)

2 years ago I sprayed a friends old BSO MTB frame for her with blue Hammerite; I have to admit that at the time I liked the look of it when it dried; it still looks good today, and the Hammerite paintwork on her BSO has proven to be tough.