NeilMonday

I've been shopping around for some snazzy green parts for my bike. I have a few, but was interested in getting a green chain. I soon found out that no one makes a green chain (that I know of). Then I found this Izumi for $60 .

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEDW:IT&ih=001

Then I thought I could surely modify a chain for way less money. I was thinking taking a white KMC Z410 and taking apart the ENTIRE chain. Then taking all of the outer plates, laying them face up on some newspaper, and spraying them with some green spray paint. Then once dry re-assemble the chain. I think I can get paint a white KMC chain and a chain tool for under $60.

Are all chain tools the same? or do i need a specific chain tool for a KMC Z410 chain?

Will the chain tool ruin the paint I put on?

Does anyone know an easier or cheaper way to get a green chain?

dubstylee

How much is your time worth? I would never do that to save a few bucks.

NeilMonday

My frame is in the middle of being painted right now so I won't be riding it for a while. Also, while the price was a major factor in not getting the $60 chain, the scarcity of a green chain is the main factor that is making me resort to painting it myself. Many people have Blue, Red, Pink, Gold, White, Purple, but no one has green.

edzo

umm, you do not take apart the entire chain.


you clean it in kerosene, dry it, clean it in alcohol, dry it

run fat shoelaces thru all the links to protect the rollers

dab hot wax or hot glue on each rivet, then paint the chain on one side
then paint the other side

afterward....take out the laces, knock off the glue spots...ta da ! painted chain

kemmer

Edit: ^^^ The shoe laces and hot wax seem like good ideas.
You'll have to degrease it first, which isn't the best idea since the factory lube is so good. Anyway, if I were going to do it, I'd soak it in simple green for a day or two and maybe wipe it down with brake parts cleaner. Then I'd take some sand paper to it. Since it will be hard to sand the inside links, I might attempt to mask them all off and paint only the outer ones.

NeilMonday

Is disassembling a chain really that much of a pain in the ass? I think I would really get a more professional look if I disassembled it rather than masking all the areas except for the outer plates. I have a lot of time on my hands.

EDIT: Also, if I disassemble it, I could re-lube much better than I could if i did the shoe lace/hot wax method.

dmc

https://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

lukewall

another thread about a vanity bike. you should go shopping for a manpurse to match your chain while you're frame is being painted. its going to look awesome when you're cruising through norfolk.

666pack

i'm pretty sure taking your ENTIRE chain apart is a bad idea.

unless you like breaking your chain ever.

NeilMonday

you bet your balls it will.

thequickfix

First, spray paint will not last for more than a few miles. It will start chipping off, getting junk in your drivetrain and looking worse and worse. I believe the colored chains you see are powdercoated, not painted.

Second, breaking and reassembling a chain at every link is pretty risky, especially since you don't seem to have any experience with a chain tool. In particular, you are assuming that you can remove the rivets from both sides of the outer plates in order to paint them. If you do that, you will have a very hard time getting the rivets back in.

NeilMonday

thanks for the advice quickfix.

Hobartlemagne 

Magnalite Chainwheel
This would look cool on the green bike.

I_luv_hooters

don't go with a green chain. bikes that are too matchy-matchy are annoying. use a few green elements and it will look better.

Aeroplane

Let me tell you a story. When I was in the sixth grade, I played Peewee baseball. It was my first year playing baseball (and would be my last) because I lived on a farm and couldn't get a ride into town to practice previously. I had developed skills over the years from playing in the backyard with my brother, but I had never played organized baseball before and sometimes the various rules got overwhelming.

In one game, I was sitting on the bench, watching one of our guys at bat. The pitcher and catcher were taking their time with the wind up and the return to the pitcher and being kind of inattentive because there were no men on. I knew that you could run to first after the third strike was called. I started to wonder, 'why not do it after the second strike?' This made more and more sense as I thought about it, and I eventually spoke up and said to nobody in particular "Can you steal first base?"

The coach turned to the bench and said with obvious disgust, "Who said that?" The question was so ridiculous to him that he wanted to know just who on his team was that ignorant, inexperienced, and unashamed of it.

Reading about your intent to paint a goddamn chain makes me understand how my coach felt that day. Thank you.

NeilMonday

^^ Seeing as how there are colored chains in production, I think my quest to make my own colored chain is far less ignorant than your understanding of stealing first base.

Aeroplane

First of all, I was in 6th grade and had never played organized ball before. Lay off.

Second of all, why would you assume that colored chains are painted? I have a white shirt that I want blue. I've seen red shirts being sold. Will painting my white shirt blue work?

Third of all, a colored chain is a tiny, miniscule part of a color-coordinated bike. The amount of work you were proposing is pretty epic for something that is obviously not going to last.

Fourth, calling it a "quest" to make your own colored chain is hilarious.

crushkilldstroy

Sorry new kid. Aeroplane always wins.

Igneous Faction

You know... I notice that your pale, pink skin doesn't really seem to "go" with a green bike. Have you considered a full body tattoo? Perhaps a hunter's green? Gold accents at all the joints would really set you off well. Just something to consider.

NeilMonday

I can tell when I'm not cool on the internet

Igneous Faction

I'm sorry for being a jerk, but do you have any idea how much time you're going to put in all in the name of making your chain green? Plus, it'll wear off in a day, probably less. Save yourself the heartache and buy gold. Green and gold is always a winner.

frymaster

don't worry. you can always just get a new account.

heck, i used to be gordiep.

fixedmonkey

Thats a hell of alot of money for a old bike chain.

jgarcia186

haha that just made my day

TwoShort

I agree with others here that taking you're chain completely apart to paint it green would be an absolutely epic amount of work, for a very small effect. Unlike others, I would on that basis heartily encourage you to go for it.

Unfortunately, I must also agree with them that it wouldn't work. It is difficult to put a pin back in exactly right; if you take it out of both plates, it can be impossible.