Paint

I am looking to have my steel frame repainted. Due to it being badly scratched the inevitable rust
shows up just fine on the white bike. Does anyone have experience of painting possibly with tinned
car spray or do I need a harder paint ? What preparation is needed ? Any answers very greatly
appreciated. Mark.

 

In message <[email protected]>, Mr John X <[email protected]> writes
>I am looking to have my steel frame repainted. Due to it being badly scratched the inevitable rust
>shows up just fine on the white bike. Does anyone have experience of painting possibly with tinned
>car spray or do I need a harder paint ?

I did repaint a bike once with car spray paint and while it did look good, it's pretty time
consuming and the paint finish isn't that hard wearing. And you must be talking GBP 10-15 in
materials as well anyway at least.

For a good finish you need to strip it (paint stripper works fine) the prime, undercoat ( a couple),
topcoat (a few), rub down with fine wire wool between each coat. A clear lacquer over the top might
help with durability

I wouldn't bother again, I would have it properly stove enamelled (by someone experienced in bike
frames) this is a harder wearing finish.

It's not that expensive - about GBP 50-60 for stripping the frame and re-enamelling in a single
colour IIRC.

Have a look at Bob Jackson's site:

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/
--
Chris French, Leeds

 

In message <[email protected]>, John B <[email protected]> writes
>chris French wrote:
>
>> In message <[email protected]>, Mr John X <[email protected]> writes
>> >I am looking to have my steel frame repainted. Due to it being badly scratched the inevitable
>> >rust shows up just fine on the white bike. Does anyone have experience of painting possibly with
>> >tinned car spray or do I need a harder paint ?
>>
>> I did repaint a bike once with car spray paint and while it did look good, it's pretty time
>> consuming and the paint finish isn't that hard wearing.

>I've done the same and it resulted in a very poor finish easily scratched and chipped
>
>> I wouldn't bother again, I would have it properly stove enamelled (by someone experienced in bike
>> frames) this is a harder wearing finish.
>>
>
>Finding a local powder coater may be a better option - most towns have one nearby.

Yes, I had meant to mention that as an option.

It very much depends on the bike in question and the finish required
--
Chris French, Leeds

 

chris French wrote:

> In message <[email protected]>, Mr John X <[email protected]> writes
> >I am looking to have my steel frame repainted. Due to it being badly scratched the inevitable
> >rust shows up just fine on the white bike. Does anyone have experience of painting possibly with
> >tinned car spray or do I need a harder paint ?
>
> I did repaint a bike once with car spray paint and while it did look good, it's pretty time
> consuming and the paint finish isn't that hard wearing. And you must be talking GBP 10-15 in
> materials as well anyway at least.
>

I've done the same and it resulted in a very poor finish easily scratched and chipped

> I wouldn't bother again, I would have it properly stove enamelled (by someone experienced in bike
> frames) this is a harder wearing finish.
>

Finding a local powder coater may be a better option - most towns have one nearby. The finish,
whilst not as smooth as stove-enamelling is more durable and less prone to chipping. Colours are
usually more limited, but it is cheaper.

John B

 

Hmmm, powder coating you say?

I've a rickety old frame I need cleaned, stripped and repainted. Obviously I can clean it up a little myself but I'm not about to try stripping and repainting it (I dread to think what the results might be) so powder coating sounds like it might be a good option.

Having read, in previous posts, the colour options with powder coating may be limited, I was curious to know quite how limited that might be? I suppose it is, in part at least, dependant upon where you are getting your powder coating done.

Additionally, could anyone suggest, roughly, how much powder coating is likely to cost? I always like to have some idea of the prices for such matters so I don't just go and get ripped off somewhere.

Seeing as I'm showing my utter ignorance on this, I shall continue in a similar vein. Where would one get powder coating done? I don't imagine one may just open the 'Yellow Pages' and look under Powder Coaters (although I could be wrong) so what would be the title of someone who provides such a service?

Lastly (you'll be pleased to read), would anyone have any idea where it is possible to get decals made for one's bicycle? Is it possible to get such items at most sign makers or am I being stupid again?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help and my apologies for wittering on so very much.

 

>Where would one get powder coating done? I don't imagine one may just open the 'Yellow Pages' and
>look under Powder Coaters

Yup - there is indeed a section in Yellow Pages for powder coaters.

Powder coating is a relatively cheap & durable finish. Got an ageing ATB for Nathan powder coated a
couple of years ago - cost about ... hmmm... poss about £40 for sand blasting & powder coating if
memory serves (but it possibly doesn't). Loads of colours on offer - must have been about 40 Nathan
had the choice of.

Cheers, helen s

~~~~~~~~~~
Clean up the waste & get rid of the trapped wind to send a reply

Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~

 

Irish Chris wrote:

> Hmmm, powder coating you say?

Yes, a very durable finish.

> Having read, in previous posts, the colour options with powder coating may be limited, I was
> curious to know quite how limited that might be?

You will be able to get a good range of standard plain colours. It will depend on the size of the
company and perhaps what their more usual business is. eg a company that specialises in painting
garden gates may not have pink.

You may also find metallics available which can be quite classy. Fades and special effects are
unlikely. If you require those, stove enamelling is best.

>
> Additionally, could anyone suggest, roughly, how much powder coating is likely to cost? I always
> like to have some idea of the prices for such matters so I don't just go and get ripped off
> somewhere.

Aim for around £30 squids for blasting and coating, maybe a little more, but remember bike frames
may be considered unusual business. VAT will be added.

> Seeing as I'm showing my utter ignorance on this, I shall continue in a similar vein. Where would
> one get powder coating done? I don't imagine one may just open the 'Yellow Pages' and look under
> Powder Coaters

Thats exactly what you should look under. You will find several I'm sure. Ring around a few.

>
> Lastly (you'll be pleased to read), would anyone have any idea where it is possible to get decals
> made for one's bicycle?

There are several specialists for cycle decals. You could try:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/NICK_AT_LLOYDS/home.htm

> Is it possible to get such items at most sign makers or am I being stupid again?

Almost any sign manufacturer that deals in custom vinyl cutting should also be able to help you.
Again look under Sign Makers in Yellow Pages, etc. You would need to supply a design or they will
produce one for you. You should be able to choose fonts and colour.

You may be charged per letter but ask for a quote.

Vinyl decals have the advantage of not requiring a laquer over them.

>
> Thanks in advance to anyone who can help and my apologies for wittering on so very much.

You're welcome.

John B

 

chris French <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
>
> I wouldn't bother again, I would have it properly stove enamelled (by someone experienced in bike
> frames) this is a harder wearing finish.
>

Or for really bomb-proof finishing, try powder coating. Two negative points about this, though - (a)
a purely cosmetic one; it doesn't turn out as glossy as enamelling, and (b) if you want your frame
re-finished again in the future, powder coating is an absolute swine to remove!

David E. Belcher

Dept. of Chemistry, University of York

 

That's absolutely wonderful!

Thanks very very much to everyone who answered my queries there. I really appreciate all the help and will endeavour to get my rusty (although hopefully not too much so) old frame off the scrapheap and onto the road.

Thanks once again.

 

Never being one to just let things lie, I thought I would dredge up this post again and ask if anyone is familiar with (and please forgive me if I'm not quite correct in this) the painting process of airless painting? Is it another suitable means of getting one's frame coated?