Painting Stainless Steel

[Goggs]

Hi folks. I'm wondering if it's possible to paint the stainless steel rack mounting stays on my bike. The carrier is a Topeak and it's black like the bike but the stays are shiny stainless and it jars a bit. So I'd like to paint the stays. The rack is on & not coming off any time soon but I'm worried painting the stays will look naff really quickly.

Any thoughts on which paint to use if it's possible and whether it's feasible at all would be most welcome. Here's a photo of the offending articles..

And here's why I'd prefer them to be black..

 

[Spiderweb]

I think Bike looks great as is, you have bits of silver on the bike, seat rails, trim to grips, crank, nipples.

 

[raleighnut]

By the time you've used the rack a bit half the black 'paint' will have worn off it.

 

[S-Express]

Of course it's feasible to paint it - it's still just steel (with a bit of chromium added).

 

[Goggs]

I think Bike looks great as is, you have bits of silver on the bike, seat rails, trim to grips, crank, nipples.

That's a fair point mate, there are silvery bits elsewhere.

By the time you've used the rack a bit half the black 'paint' will have worn off it.

This is also my fear. I can see myself in a few months time with sandpaper in my hands.

Of course it's feasible to paint it - it's still just steel (with a bit of chromium added).

Any clue on what specific paint to use?

 

[screenman]

I would cover it in black heatshrink. cost only a few pence, lasts a long time and easily replaceable if it wears.

 

[raleighnut]

That's a fair point mate, there are silvery bits elsewhere.



This is also my fear. I can see myself in a few months time with sandpaper in my hands.



Any clue on what specific paint to use?

The 2 black Topeak racks I've got fitted have chafed really badly, dunno about the silver one as the bike that was fitted to was stolen. They are a superb 'system' though.

 

[Drago]

get some electrical heat shrink sleeving to cover the mounts, leaving just the ends exposed. Cheap, and it won't scratch or peel.

 

[Spiderweb]

This Matt black stove paint is excellent, really hardwearing & pretty cheap at £3.70 delivered.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=191992887845&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[Goggs]

View attachment 154172 This Matt black stove paint is excellent, really hardwearing & pretty cheap at £3.70 delivered.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=191992887845&globalID=EBAY-GB

As soon as I find the French equivalent this is th one.

 

[ColinJ]

I think Bike looks great as is, you have bits of silver on the bike, seat rails, trim to grips, crank, nipples.

I agree with that comment!

I like black, but I am not sure about a total 'blackout' ...

 

[keithmac]

Rough the surface up first with a bit of scotchbrite pad or some fine wet and dry to give the paint a good key..

 

[screenman]

I play with paint quite a bit and have never found Hammerite or Stove paint very good to be absolutely honest.

 

[screenman]

I must admit when painting cars I would much rather use WB than old solvent, much better product in my opinion.

 

[themosquitoking]

Call a friendly local electrician and ask for the heat shrink. He should have loads of it lying around, about the right length too i reckon.