Bicycle Mechanics - Need Paint help

My son and I are rebuilding an old steel 10-speed. We have the frame stripped and primed. I plan to use enamel spray paint and then clear coat it. I have seen several threads on that process and feel ok about it.

Here is the question. Are all spray enamels created equally? What is the best paint to use, if any? Do you guys have any preference on brands? This is our first attempt so I don't want to blow it with the wrong brand paint.

I would use a basecoat/clearcoat product, like the ones used on automobiles today. Modern paints have come a long way, and are a major improvement over enamals, IMO. Go to your local auto paint supply store and talk to the guys behind the counter, I think you'll find them very knowlegable. They can reccomend a product and even put it into spray cans for you.

enamel + clear coat... not a good idea... enamel is not really tough against elements and will peel after a while of exposure if not done properly..

use auto paint, acryllic or urethane paint.. These can withstand heat, sunlight, rain, and acid rain--so they say.

there are lots to choose from..

OK, I'm learning. Is acryllic a type of enamel paint? Seems like I have heard those two strung together a lot.

I'm not up on any of the older paint systems anymore, but make no mistake, that's just what they are; systems. Every company makes a set of products designed to work together, and with the stuff they have today it's not real hard to get a beautiful finish. Again, I would refer you to pros, check with your local auto paint supply house. I'm sure you will have a sweet looking bike when you are done.

Other advice I would give don't mix types of paints, for example to use a enamel base coat and a acrylic paint it will cause the paint to look REALLY bad.

I think I know where there is a paint supply store near my house. I'm going up there tonight to talk to them. I'll let you know what they say.

Hey - you know we're expecting a photo journal of the whole project, right? ;^)

Oops! I don't have any "before" pics. I guess I could start taking some "in progress" shots.

Acryllic is normally water based. It won't wash off but it's not as durable. And the Base coat+Clear coat is the best way to go. Most clear coats harden better than some of the newer paints, and in my opinion will probably be a bit cheaper. Good luck and make sure you have a really good air brush to make it look good.

I didn't make it to the paint store before it closed last night. I'll try again tomorrow (busy tonight).

I called and talked to a couple of paint store guys and we do not have anyone in the area that will put the paint into spray cans. They said I either have to get a compressor and airbrush or go with the enamel spray cans like Krylon. They both said that if I go the airbrush route the paint requires an activator? and that makes the urethane paint about $50. ouch!

I'm taking on a huge bike rebuild here soon, to include a full paint job. It's going to be a bit more work but I'm going to go with my smaller airbrush. It's more of a model to touchup paint job airbrush. But if you think about it you aren't trying to cover the area like on a car. I have a badger airbrush with a 5 gallon air tank (tank cost me $20 at walmart). I'm going to utilize model paint because I know which color I'm using and it only comes that way. No activator needed just a can of paint thinner to make it easier to spray. Then I'll use an automotive clear coat to be make it a harder clear coat. The smaller air brush will cost anywhere from $30-$50 anywhere. The paint is much cheaper and will do the same thing. Since you have primed it the paint will stick to the surface anyway. They make metal models that it works wonders on and has a really hard paint surface once dried. I still like clear coat makes it look even better. I'll tell you how it comes out but it's going to be a few weeks. I still have to strip the bike down and tear everything off. This is just an idea for you if you want to try it and post on it.

I wouldn't recomend rattle cans. They don't do quite as good of job.

I called and talked to a couple of paint store guys and we do not have anyone in the area that will put the paint into spray cans.
Any good auto paint supplier would be able to do this. you will likely have to buy at least 2 cans, but in a city the size of Cincinnatti, there has to be at least 2 places that will do this.

I hear you, but the two that I talked to WERE auto paint suppliers. The first guy gave me the number of the second saying that he is the only one in the area that will do it. Talking to the second guy, he can do it but you have to buy 30+ cans! I asked him if there was anyone else around that he could recommend my asking, but he said no one else loads spray cans here. What to do? What to do???

Call somebody in Columbus?

Here is the frame with the first coat of paint...

Forgot the pic..

Wish I could figure out how those guys put more than one picture in one post. Here is the fork

Here is the rest of the bike.
This stuff was really rusty when we started. We have some pedals somewhere....

Anyone know where can I buy waterslide type decals? I tried the hobby and craft stores in the area and all they have are the tiny ones for model trains. Any ideas??

Don't know about the decals, but what did you end up doing for paint? Looking good by the way...it looks like it's going to be a sweet bike when you're done.

I'm still thinking about putting some orange on the headset and fork. Depends on if I can find some decals!! I am keeping the painting process a secret until we're done. Then I will reveal all!

Go to some window tinting shops. Some of them carry like car decal stickers and some graphic stickers that go on the way you are talking. Online is an excellent resource also.

Got the orange on tonight! The fork does match the frame, the lighting was just being difficult.

Made some progress!!!!

It's looking great Kerk. The flames are awesome. Very clean lines going there.

Niiiiiice!!!!!
:beer:

Lookin' good. I like the seat tube touch...

Thanks. You can't see it, but on the front is a matching K. I now have the crank, seat, handlebars, shifters and wheels on. I probably won't have another picture until the weekend.

Finished!!!!

Awesome job. Looks great.

Nice. Gonna reveal the blow by blow details for us. I gotta single speed buildup that is just screaming for a new look this winter.

Here is the paint I used...

Notice the orange cap didn't make it to the end. lol. Since I just got done, I can't swear to the hardness or durability of the finish. So far, so good though. Notice no yellow? The yellow flames were cut on yellow vinyl and then I sprayed the orange fade on before sticking it on the frame.

Here's what I did.
Took everything I could off of the frame.
Sanded the old blue frame with 400 sandpaper.
Sprayed a coat of primer.
Wet sanded with 800 sandpaper
Coat of primer.
Wet sanded with 800.
Coat of primer.
Wet sanded with 800.
Red coat of paint.
Wet sand with 1500 (very light touch) until smooth to your hand.
Red coat.
Wet sand with 1500.
Orange coat on fork and part of frame.
Wet sand with 1500.
Orange coat.
Wet sand with 1500.
Spray vinyl.
Apply vinyl to frame.
Apply clear coat.
Wet sand with 1500.
Apply clear coat.
Polish with polishing compound.
Go to CVS and get matching fingernail polish for quick fixes to your first scratch.
Drying tip - After each coat, leave the frame in a locked car in the sun. It gets very hot in there!
The one thing I didn't like was that I could see all the waste while spraying. It would have been much more efficient to have an airbrush where I could control the spray pattern down to an inch circle pattern or so. Oh well, maybe next time.

Looks really good. I started stripping a frame at the weekend - I forgot the before picture as well...

First rate job there, Kerk. You taking any custom work on? Kudos...

Thanks, Buzz. What model is your late '70s 12 speed?

Here's what I'm doing to paint my fixie...I called a local body shop...told him I had a frame that I wanted painted...gave him a couple different colors I'd be OK with, and told him to call me when he was spraying that color...just a thought...

Big thumbs up!! Thanks for sharing your super top secret process with us :) I haven't painted a frame yet, but I have painted a few computer cases. It looks like you have a better system than I do, I have trouble getting my paint to look very smooth. I'm gonna borrow a few ideas from your process :)

I'm looking forward to getting another project bike to work on, and paint.

Beautiful job!!!

Now go out there and ride it!

Bike looks good. Although no one mentioned it before, the key to a GREAT paint job is the primer...if it sticks and bites, the rest of the paint job will last. I owned a custom paint shop for 7 years. I painted everything from motorcycles to street rods to bicycles, mtn and road. I learned from trial and error, mostly...luckily, there weren't too many errors in the way of durability. I mostly used DuPont automotive products.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend using an airbrush to spray a frame. They are good for details and graphics, but overall spraying is very difficult if you want a premium finish. The wasted paint you see in the air is really just part of the game. Ask anyone in the body shop or paint shop and they will tell you the same, ESP. when painting round tubing.

Your paint job should hold up just fine. Enamel is very strong, when applied in the correct amount. Too thin and it will flake, too thick and it will chip&peel. Acyrlic Enamel is just another formulation of enamel, so they are similar, but compatability usually depends on the brand. By the way, don't mix brands.

Beautiful job!!!

Now go out there and ride it!

First post: 09-08-03, 07:22 AM. I think they did. But good bike to bring up, love that job.

Flamer! ;)

what is wet sanding? also, do u need a different type of sanding paper for this?

Drying tip - After each coat, leave the frame in a locked car in the sun. It gets very hot in there!

What agreat idea! But for how long, and how do you position a freshly painted frame in a car without it touching anything?

Acryllic is normally water based. It won't wash off but it's not as durable.

Acrylic house paint is water-based, but the paint used in the automotive industry is acrylic lacquer. It differs from enamel in that it uses a vehicle for the pigment that evaporates much more quickly. Enamels generally use oil, lacquers use toluene or a similar aromatic hydrocarbon. It makes lacquer dry a lot faster than enamel, but that also makes it less forgiving of application goof-ups.

What agreat idea! But for how long, and how do you position a freshly painted frame in a car without it touching anything?

All you have to do is wait for the paint to dry a little then you can put it in the car. I threaded a string from back window to back window and hung the frame in there for a full day. You can tie wood blocks to the string on the outside of the window to keep the string from being pulled inside.

My son rode this bike this summer and the paint is holding up great. Also, my nephew took this bike on a 35 mile ride this summer and a month later ended up getting a bike of his own! A new rider was born!

Your paint job has truly inspired me! I have a old Specialized Rockhopper frame I salvaged from the trash pile. I'm gonna strip and paint it thanks to you and your posts. You did a fantastic job!
Thanks.
Dang

All you have to do is wait for the paint to dry a little then you can put it in the car. I threaded a string from back window to back window and hung the frame in there for a full day. You can tie wood blocks to the string on the outside of the window to keep the string from being pulled inside.

My son rode this bike this summer and the paint is holding up great. Also, my nephew took this bike on a 35 mile ride this summer and a month later ended up getting a bike of his own! A new rider was born!

Yer back! and the thread, glad to hear the paints holding.

Quick ? Kerk, please recommend the ultimate clearcoat in rattle can IYO please.

Thanks>jef.

Your paint job has truly inspired me! I have a old Specialized Rockhopper frame I salvaged from the trash pile. I'm gonna strip and paint it thanks to you and your posts. You did a fantastic job!
Thanks.
Dang

Wow, Thanks! That made my day.

Jeff - I don't know, I haven't found it yet. The Krylon I used was ok, but my next one I am going to try a different brand. I'll probably try something from the autoparts store.