I'm going to do a modest job on a Reynolds 531 Austro Daimler. My components are going to be used based on lowest toxic values. I found an acrylic metal primer that I am going to use. I will give it three good coats and a light sanding. Next layer will be Golden Acrylics Irridescent paint in conjunction with Golden Acrylics 200 Medium which is a paint hardner. I experimented with several sloppy coats on an old bare steel schwinn. It had good chip resistence. It has seen rain and several scrapes against a post. I am also going to be hand painting the bike. It goes against the proper way but I am confident I will have a durable finish with several years of life. The color will be an irridescent copper/green. My main area of concern is the headtube. I am going to leave the badge attached and paint around it. I am sure the amount of metal on the tube should corrode in at least two decades. All paint will be done lightly layer per layer. I am pretty confident in the pigment holding with the medium mixed.
Dr.Deltron
10-12-06, 09:32 AM
I'm not gonna touch your app methods, that's up to you.
I will help you with the headbadge though. Use some quality 3M blue painters tape. (paint section of any home improvement store, $6) Place the tape over the badge and press it tight to the edges of the badge with your fingernail. I use a piece of a paint stiring stick that I fashion into a round point, about 3/8" diameter. Make sure that the tape is stuck well to ALL the edges of the badge, overhanging onto the headtube. Now with a new Xacto #11 blade (or a new single edge razor blade) carefully cut the tape, following the outline of the badge. Remove excess tape. Press the tape along the edge of the badge again to make sure it is stuck.
Paint the bike. Cut around the badge where you cut the tape. Remove the tape slowly & carefully. Use the blade if it starts to pull off the paint. Again work slowly to minimize pulled paint.