Foo - Frame painting

I already posted this in Mtbing, I was hoping for this crowds help aswell.

Ok, So I want to paint my 4300 frame.

my three choices are these: powdercoating, or take it to the autobody, or do it myself.
If I go to the autobody or powdercoat it, it will cost me minimally a 100 dollars. The color I'm currently thinking is tangerine metallic, that honda puts on the element.
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/173/tangerinemetallicfr4.jpg

My biggest question, is what do people think is my best bet? Should I do it myself with spray paint and clear coat. How should I go about taking the paint off the bike. Thats my biggest problem. I've already had many suggestions. Sand it, use naval jelly, paint thinners. Just wondering if anyone has experience with painting, and can give me the safest, cleanest, and easiest way to get the paint off.

If I was to spray paint it, does it have to be a certain kind of paint? or can I just use anything?

Heres the current pic, everything stripped off. Cleansed it with dawn and used degreaser on greasy parts.

http://img438.imageshack.us/img438/3553/picture017em6.jpg

If you want it to be assured of coming out really nicely, take it to someone. If it's aluminum, powdercoating should be fine. If it's steel, and they don't prep it well, powdercoating can lead to later problems. If you want a bit of education, and don't mind if it comes out a little less than perfect, try doing it yourself.

I really want the tangerine metallic. I could possibly borrow my friends spray paint attachment for the air compressor, and paint a base coat, a couple paint coats. I could add stencils for letting and clear coat.
This is if of course the auto body will sell paint to me.

My biggest problem is getting all the paint off the frame.

i should aware you of this right now. if you are thinking about painting the entire body you will need to let it sit for AT ABSOLUTE LEAST 2 months, and thats with heat on it. paint takes alot longer than you think to cure and get all the toxins out of itself

Pheared, why are you blowing money on this bike? Why dont you just buy that rockhopper you are talking about, and then do all the work do you old 930? $100 is a lot of coin to spend painting a frame that is going to be your learning bike. Waste of money IMO.

I've used glassbeading in the past to take the paint off, always had great results.

I hate the color of the frame, and I've always liked the 4300-4900 geometry. I've allways wanted to repaint a frame, and this crappy 4300 seems like the place to start. No way am I going to ruin my 930, that is staying as is. Fp, I'm learning on this bike, but I full well plan to ride it once its done.

I've always liked the 4300-4900 geometry.


and this crappy 4300 seems like the place to start

So, do you like it, or is it crappy?

What exactly did you like about the geometry anyway?

So, do you like it, or is it crappy?

What exactly did you like about the geometry anyway?
It's crappy because its used, and I like it because of the geometry. It won't be crappy once its fixed up.

That 4300 is a much better bike than your 930..

But, I'd do it the cheap DIY way. Buy a fwe cans of rustoleum paint, mask, respray, done.

That 4300 is a much better bike than your 930..

But, I'd do it the cheap DIY way. Buy a fwe cans of rustoleum paint, mask, respray, done.
Nothing to do with which bike is better. The 930 is a 95' which obviously isn't easy to get anymore. It has sentimental value, and I don't want to mess it up. It's still in good condition. The 4300 is a cheapo almost bottom of the line trek bike that you can get anywhere.

That 930 is in AWESOME condition. It is very well kept, and I felt it rides smooth as butter. It's got some pretty nice components and has not been beaten. Leave the 930 as it is...you finally have it like you want it.

i should aware you of this right now. if you are thinking about painting the entire body you will need to let it sit for AT ABSOLUTE LEAST 2 months, and thats with heat on it. paint takes alot longer than you think to cure and get all the toxins out of itself

what chu talkin about...thats simply false