Classic & Vintage - My first attempt at paint and design

If anyone remembers, I had posted a few weeks ago about stripping down an old discarded Cannondale frame. Well, it's sorta finished. Painted with automotive catalyzed enamel, hand-done graphics, and then clearcoated. here's a few very poor photos. I will do better this weekend. Opinions are always welcomed, even if you think it sucks.
The bike itself isn't done, though. I just threw some parts at it to make sure it would ride OK, which it does.

Very well done - I like the theme.

Me thinks next spring the Schwinn Traveler will become Barracuda Mk. I with a fresh coat of paint. Seeing far too many good looking repaints so far and the paint on the schwinn is just screaming for a fresh start.

Opinions are always welcomed, even if you think it sucks.


I like it a lot!! It looks great. Makes my old Cannondale look... stodgy. I'd level out those handle bars, though unless you can't stand the riding position. Cool ride. Enjoy!!

I like it a lot!! It looks great. Makes my old Cannondale look... stodgy. I'd level out those handle bars, though unless you can't stand the riding position. Cool ride. Enjoy!!

Seat looks a tad high too - but I think the design & execution look quite nice. Very creative idea, done quite cleanly judging by the pictures.

I am defiantly getting the whole island tiki hut / rum punch vibe thing going on, man.
No really, great job.

Very nice! Now buff out the aluminum bits for that extra bling effect. That's what I do. :D

Gotsa to love the Tiki! Looks great, excellent job. I'm taking on a repaint myself this winter. I have a steel Sentinal Whisper frame that's getting stripped and refinished. Hopefully it'll come out as nice as yours.

what brand of paint did you use?
How did you make the the graphics?

what brand of paint did you use?
How did you make the the graphics?
Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Glad everyone likes it :)

As for the graphics, I just made them up. I looked at a few Tiki mugs I have from the old "Hawaii Kai" tiki bar in NYC, and also some advertising from the "Kahiki" restaurant/bar that used to be in Columbus, OH (that's where that name came from). I freehand everything, and the idea for the little triangles was an accident, but it came out pretty neat. The main color paint is PPG Omni, 1972 or 73 Pontiac Sherwood Green metallic (at least that's what the can said). The other colors were Testors model paints (mostly the military stuff), and then I shot PPG Omni 'Quick Clear" over it. The pressure was too high with the clear, so it sorta dimpled on me, but oh well.

As an update, the bike rides like crap. The BB has some serious issues (it doesn't like to spin without 'clak clak clak), the frame groans when I accelerate, and one of the cranks is bent enough to make the right pedal spin in an oddly twisting fashion. I had a feeling it was being thrown out for a reason :rolleyes: But it was a great experiment. I plan on doing my commuter bike next (A Trek Navigator 300). Just have to think of another theme :D

I bet that all it would take is to change out the bottom bracket and the crankset - you might really like it after that.

Sorry for all the questions but was it a rattle can job or did you use an actual automotive paint spayer or airbrush.

Excellent job... I love the headtube and downtube designs. Nice triangle motif also.

Sorry for all the questions but was it a rattle can job or did you use an actual automotive paint spayer or airbrush.
I used a PreVal sprayer for the color (which wasn't the best choice), and then a Sharpe gun for the clear. All of the other stuff was with my own brushes.ow

And to everyone else, thanks again! This is very encouraging.

USAZorro, I have considered replacing the BB, but I'm having great difficulty removing the cranks. Plus, I don't know how much a BB would cost to replace. I was curios to see how screwed up it is in there, because I can grab hold of the cranks and wiggle them about 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch. That's gotta be too much play.

You should be proud , mate. Job well done. Job well done. :beer: :beer: :beer:

Buff out the aluminum? What do you use to do that with? Looking for some suggestions....

Buff out the aluminum? What do you use to do that with? Looking for some suggestions....

I use this -- http://store.yahoo.com/flyyourflag/blma4mepocrn.html

I get it at the local auto parts store.

I like it! How about a grass skirt around the bottom of the saddle? :D

Just kidding -- nice job.

old thread and all, but what do you do to keep the paint from not scratching from any little thing touching it?

old thread and all, but what do you do to keep the paint from not scratching from any little thing touching it?
I am using (at the urging of Dr Deltron) the PPG Deltron 2042 clear. But it requires proper spray equipment, and also can get a bit pricey (my cost, with correct reducer and hardener, runs about $90 per quart).
Wet paint finishes will chip regardless of what you do (and Dr Deltron will back me on that one!;) )
A few painters I kow have told me that the PPG 2002 clear dries to a harder finish, but I haven't had the time to try it out yet.