Laquer bike frame

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I dont know where to start... but how would I go about laquering my bike frame.

I wouldnt want to do this myself, it's a carbon frame painted in matt colour from factory. Would like to have it laquered for protection and shine / bling factor ...

Anyone done this?

thanks
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
There are plenty of bike paint specialists around, if you're in the NW there's Atlantic Boulevard in Bury, though he's not been answering his phone for the last couple of weeks....

I would go and buy a rattle can of lacquer and do the job myself. Practice on something else first, the idea is to do several smooth passes with the nozzle only pressing the actuator at the places where you need to spray. Lacquer is very forgiving of bad technique as it dries down to a very thin layer. The important thing is not to spray on so much that it dribbles.

The masking and cleaning will probably take you much longer than the actual application. It might be a good idea to key the paint by rubbing it with wire wool.
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
Why not ask at your local car body shop? All metallic paints are finished off with a couple of layers of lacquer, you might find someone who is prepared to take it on during their lunch time.
 
For carbon you will need acylic laquer and forget the wire wool.......:eek: use some red scotchbrite as it will key the matt and the key will blend into the new laquer also you will need to takrag the whole frame or you will end up with a non slip surface, I used to be a paint sprayer for 15 years on new cars (yes some need paint) but a frame is quite easy and one can of laquer will do, just remember to do the whole frame in one go per coat otherwise parts that look wet will actually be dry and bitty.
 

screenman

Squire
Single pack or aerosol laquer is very soft and not at all durable, twin pack is the way to go and a good local bodyshop would be my suggestion.
 
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