Bicycle Mechanics - Painting on top of clear coat...

Ok, I would like to paint over the white lettering on my bike with black. Has anyone had any experience with this? If so was it good or bad and what type of paint did you use...either way? Thanks in advance!

There are a few things to consider before you decide to go ahead with this. There is always the possibility that there may be a reaction with the two finishes and you could end up with some very undesirable results. You should first try to see if your new finish is going to work with your old one. I would take a location, like the underside of the bottom bracket and give it a very fine spray to see if you have compatibility issues. You may end up with crinkles if there is going to be a problem. This should be a primer coat. Once it dries it can be easily removed with 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Once you have most of it gone, go to 2000 and then polish it out with a polishing compound and it will look brand new down there. Lacquer based finishes are the most likely to cause you problems. Krylon is one of them. They react with enamels if the old finish is not too old. If your test passes, I would wash the area to be resprayed with a dishwashing soap thoroughly. Then you would want to wet sand with the 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper (use the dishwashing soap with water as a lubricant, a few drops in a glass of water works) the area you want to respray. You only want to sand the area to the point where it is no longer glossy, so it is very little sanding. Mask what you need to mask. Make sure everything is dry. Make sure your hands are clean, oils in your skin can ruin a paintjob, even natural skin oils, especially when you rub your forehead. I would use black primer since that is what color you want to use anyway for the finish. Then finish up with your black finish paint. You won't have compatibility issues with the primer if the top coat is the same manufacturer as the primer.

Hi "boscatman"

If I read this right? You want to paint just the lettering... If it's vinyl just any paint over the letters will HAVE to do. Not much will stick very well.

If it's a decal? Paint will not stick unless you primer the old paint. This also means a light sanding. Try using 600 or 400 wet grit fine sandpaper>Primer>choice of Enamel(dull) or Lacquer (polishes nicer)

Good advice! The lettering I want to paint over is a decal under a clear coat. So I want to just paint over the clear coat. I thought about some appliance paint, as it is designed to be painted on top of shiny, hard existing paint. But then again, not sure of the outcome. I don't want to send it to a car painter for fear of the cost. Maybe if I contact one and see if they will let me mask it off I can reduce the costs. Thanks for the help.
New Question.... Has anyone tried to have a part anodized ie(Front Derailler)?