Bicycle Mechanics - How Many Coats of Paint?

I'm painting an old frame and wonder, where do I stop?

I figure 2 coats of primer and 2-3 coats of top coat.

Lots of sanding is a given.

Any comment?

I used lots of speckle applications rather than complete coats. About 3 speckle sprays give the equiv of a coat. You dont get the paint running and dripping, so dont need to sand.
I think my frame had the equiv of 2 undercoats and 1 top coat. It was a commuter hack, so the paintjob was purely functional.

I did this a couple of years ago - your approach sounds fine. The quality of the result is always down to care in preparation anyway. One thing I did find was that the finish was soft for a long time after painting (weeks). If you have the option, it is a good idea to leave it alone as long as possible before rebuilding.

Good luck,

Ed

I would use 1 good coat of primer, 2 coats of color and 3-4 coat of clear. I would also let the frame set about 24 hrs between color and clear. Then let the frame dry for about a week, if you can wait. I found a body shop that had a bake booth so mine only took 3 hrs to dry.

Clear coat?

Thanks for making my job harder.

Does one sand between clear coats? 600 carborendum?

Does Rustolium make a clear can of paint?

What's wrong with the single coat of Hammerite brushed on? ;)

Good ol hammerite :)

I would not use Rustolium, unless this is a bike you don't care about. I would go get auto paint, and clear, most place sell it even WalMart. I would sand with at the most 800 grit, for the primer and paint. I would then used 900-1000 grit for the clear. After the paint jobs has cured, I would use 1500, then buff. This will give that new bike shine. It is a lot of work, but if you want it to look good, it is a must.
Good luck
Dave

Scuff entire frame.

Wipe down with lacquer thinner to remove oil from hands and dust.

primer coat.

wetsand, fixing any flaws in primer.

primer coat again.

lightly wetsand again, and clean.

apply first coat of paint.

lightly wetsand any imperfections.

apply second coat of paint, and repeat.

apply one good coat of clear enamel.

You should wind up with a super smooth, super glossy finish product. The results are all dependent on the prep. work along the way. Take your time with it. Let it dry fully in between each step. You might not even need much primer, if you have a good base coat of existing paint. Just scuff it, until it is dulled a bit. You dont have to sand to the metal. Just take the top off.

I forgot to mention,,,,, if you are going to reapply decals, put them on just before laying down the clear enamel. That way they will stay on permanently.

I have a question to go along with this post on painting. Where would be the best place to paint your frame??

Longrider, not to say you are wrong, but it depends on what you want. Some colors come out darker or more brilliant with more coats. Apply thin coats, don't do heavy coats. Heavy coats tend to run. As for Clear coat do two because some times with the first you end up with some imperfections and you don't notice them until it dries. As for the best place, find a dry and preferrably dust free environment. If you don't have dust free try and keep it to a minimum.

Rattle cans are not recomended by me at all. The tend to coat on the heavy side initially and taper off towards the bottom of the can.

i have a friend that powder coats frames. powder coating results in a much better professional looking finish. the paint is very much more durable and much better looking that spray paint.

here's what i do.

25 steps only.
1. spray primer#1 then let dry
2. sand (wet) 1000/1500
3. spray primer#2 then let dry
4. sand (wet) grit 1000/1500
5. apply filler/puty(if necessary)
6. sand 1000/1500
7 spray primer#3 (only if you did step 5&6, otherwise skip)
8. spray color#1 then let dry
9. sand
10. spray color#2 then let dry
11. sand(lightly)
12. spray color#3 then let dry
13. sand(lightly) -- optional
14. spray color#4 then let dry
15. sand(lightly)
16. spray clear coat#1 then let dry, only do your clear coat when humidity is low
17. sand(lightly)
18. stick decals
19. spray clear coat #2
20. sand(lightly) -- optional
21 spray clear coat #3
22. sand(lightly) -- optional
23. apply rubbing compound then wipe off.
24. polish
25. wax(carnuba) to shine

OK I've read the previous posts, but would still like to pose the question. I've just got my hands on a previously abused by wonderous Brompton Folding bike. It was harshly spraypainted black by some fool. I'm sanded it down so I can see the original blue. I don't have much money, a good garage, or access to many types of paint - just whatever I find at the HEMA (typical big department store). Some say use spray paint... but I don't want to spraypaint and watch it slowly peel off. And I carry the frame alot, I dont want my hands turning blue.

Whats the best formula in relation to very little supplies or skill?

Clearcoat... I just dont think I can find that. Maybe the fancy bikeshop.

OK I've read the previous posts, but would still like to pose the question. I've just got my hands on a previously abused by wonderous Brompton Folding bike. It was harshly spraypainted black by some fool. I'm sanded it down so I can see the original blue. I don't have much money, a good garage, or access to many types of paint - just whatever I find at the HEMA (typical big department store). Some say use spray paint... but I don't want to spraypaint and watch it slowly peel off. And I carry the frame alot, I dont want my hands turning blue.


You can use spray paint, it's not recomended. It globs and coats very ununiformly. You should be able to find clear coat at the local store, it's with the spray paints in the automotive section usually. Auto parts stores some times carry it also.