How to paint a bike frame?

[Deleted member 20519]

My bike's pretty scratched up and I'm wanting to sand it down and paint it white. I know nothing about this so I have a few questions for people who've done things like this before.

Is is easy to take a frame apart?
Is it easy to paint it?
What do I need?
How long does it take?
Will it look good?

 

[screenman]

The answer to your last line is no.

 

[defy-one]

Masking everything off will be the key - the last time i did this was circa 1987 on my 5 speed racer.
Didn't look great looking back on it.
I would strip it down but get it painted professionaly

Sent from my GT-I9100

 

[MontyVeda]

what they said... even if you get a good smooth finish it'll start flaking off in no time. I've hand sprayed two frames to date, both looked awesome*.... for a couple of months.

*thats with the 'i did this' rose tinted shades on

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Don't bother , lots of hard work and a poor finish unless you have access to propositional spray equipment.

Spray cans are more air than paint so you get a very weak coverage, and need lots and lots of layers to build up a good paint finish.

Just google for a local Powder coater (ever town has one) and they will either blast the frame or recommend someome local who will do it for you, then powder coat a multitude of colours and finishes
Strip the frame right down and get blasted then powder coated

Cost me £15 for blasting and £40 for powder coating, and is a top notch shinny hard coat finish.

 

[itchyrider]

Definatly POWDER COAT.............

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'd go down the powder coat route for a true hard wearing finish, but I've never had it done myself.

I have done two full restorations though, but as I know a car sprayer I've had him paint them and they both came out really nice. The right equipment coupled with the right stuff, (ie: proper lacquer) clearly helps.

So to answer your questions in the order you asked them;
1. Generally yes IME but depends on age, neglect and access to correct tools.
2. Yes if you get someone else to do it.
3. The right tools/equipment/skills/time & patience
4. How longs a piece of string?
5. Yes if a pro does it, probably not if you hang it in your shed and rattle can it.

 

[Xiorell]

you CAN get a good finish in the shed with rattle cans

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

That was a geniunley mint finish and held it together after use too.
The key I think, is preparation. Lots and lots of Preparation, take the old paint all the way back, get a nice even finish on the bare metal just lightly scuffed over with fine paper, apply the base coat really evenly, super fine paper over that, more base coat, repeat, top coat, take that back a bit with super fine paper, more base coat in thin layers but lots of them, get the final layer of top coat so so slightly scuffed with really fine paper, then clear coat, let dry, more clear coat till it's eventually nice and even and thick.

it can be done

 

[Peteaud]

Its all in the prep, ask any pro sprayer.

Either that or powder coat

 

[rebelpeter]

Yep I have sprayed a lot of bikes to resell years ago some came up ok but they are never that scratch proof as someone said the spray canes are more air then paint you do bneed to get it professional sprayed as most have said on here, I did lost kids bikes so they do not last that long anyway as they grow out of them but for long term not so good

 

[defy-one]

On a similar topic, how good are vinyl stickers to pimp up a frame?
I want to add some colour to my 2012 Defy 1

Sent from my GT-I9100

 

[Psycolist]

I've found with stickers, that as with most things, y'get wot y'pay for. If you dont pay alot then they wont look much or last long. But, some will , if carefully applied, look like the proper deal. So like the pros, dont go over the top and spend your pennies wisley

 

[tyred]

Depends on what you're trying to achieve. Aerosol tins can give a great finish if you put the prep in but it will always be fragile. If it's a bike to be used and abused, you should get an acceptable finish with normal enamel and a brush which will be tougher. If it's a valuable old 531 frame or something, send it of to be re-enameled by a frame builder.

 

[Matthew_T]

Something that has been on my mind - Can you paint over chippings and scrapes or is there no point? I have many scratches and scrapes on my frame and have been looking at small pots of modelling paint which might just cover them up. I just dont want the frame to become weak because of rust.

 

[tyred]

Something that has been on my mind - Can you paint over chippings and scrapes or is there no point? I have many scratches and scrapes on my frame and have been looking at small pots of modelling paint which might just cover them up. I just dont want the frame to become weak because of rust.

It would be very difficult to make an invisible repair but there is definitely a point in touching in stone chips to prevent rust from getting a grip on things. I've seen people recommend nail polish for this but have never tried it myself.