Repainting steel bike



amazinmets733

New Member
Jun 6, 2018
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I'm planning a restoration project on a bike and will need to repaint the frame and fork. I've included photos to demonstrate the current condition. Any tips are much appreciated ☺




Frame is 853 steel and fork is carbon

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I rarely repaint bikes. Most stuff you can apply at home ends up softer than the factory paint and scuffs and chips easily.
If really worthwhile, I’d get the frame powder coated, which leaves a very durable surface. For best results, it needs to takes back to bare metal. The powder coater is likely to have a media blaster lined up to do that service. It’s rumored that really nice ie thin walled frames shouldn’t be sand blasted, but need a gentler media.
The fork I’d wet sand only enough to take the sheen and the damaged logos off, then shoot some clearcoat.
 
Hi. Good project.
I've painted a number of frames.
Frame;
Take everything off it. Sand to bare metal. You don't need a particularly fine grit - 320 wet and dry will do well and you'll only need a couple of sheets.
Spray primer - I use a compressor and tinned paint but I guess you'll use a primer.
Light coats but build it up.
Spray a contrasting guide coat lightly on it.
Allow to dry for a few days.
Sand - 400 wet and dry. If you go through any areas touch up with primer.
Wipe off with a clean rag.
Top coat - thin even coats.
Allow to dry for a few days.
Apply decals if any.
Clear coat - I guess from a spray can. A better option is take it to say a car painter and get them to paint it (and the fork) in a two pot clear coat. Its much harder so will last longer.
Done ;-) Allow to dry for days before building up.
If you want to you can use a cutting compound on it or a polish. If the spraying is good enough its hardly worth it.
Fork - sand lightly with 400, apply decals and have clearcoated.

Powdercoating - its not wonder stuff ;-( It can still chip etc. There are grades of it - you'll need to ask for the highest grade. There may be a limited colour choice too and its expensive.

I hope this helps, Paul
 
I'm planning a restoration project on a bike and will need to repaint the frame and fork. I've included photos to demonstrate the current condition. Any tips are much appreciated ☺




Frame is 853 steel and fork is carbon

20180920_143016_826579c7bb7b8b34454dc4cc80ca39e6912d736a.jpg

20180920_143028_3a46457a5d3f204d3187723358d09e1054fd7e21.jpg

20180920_142746_96436fbe7a8c360710b076243bc9e0ec5e2bd137.jpg

20180920_142737_278ee5e064b92cf0176f400a0104d15d1df4e067.jpg
1. This is a perfect powder coating project. TAPE the bottom bracket surfaces and the threads. But after it is powder coated it is usually best to have the threads chased by your local well equipped shop. $50 at the most.
2. I think that is a steel fork; if so powder coat it as well. Be SURE to tape all of the bearing surfaces because commercial powder coaters don't know dog stuff about a bicycle. This means the area into which the headset is pushed as well.
3. If that is a carbon fork THROW IT AWAY and get a new one. 1" and 1 1/8" steerer carbon forks are readily available.
4. The LeMond decal sets in a variety of models and colors is available on Ebay. After application you can spray them with spray can clear - many light coats and NOT a heavy coat. Be sure that the clear is specified not to yellow in sunlight.
 
Hmm, I missed the price: Generally a powder coat included sandblasting, powder coating and baking. This is about $100 unless you're looking for odd colors or metallic finishes and the like which can sometimes double the price.

If that is a carbon fork and you follow my advice and S-can it, new fork would run you about $75 off of Ebay or $150 from Nashbar/Performance. If it's steel then the powder coat job would include the fork.

The decals usually run about $50.

Do it all carefully and the bike will look like new.