Bicycle Mechanics - painting

hi, i want to paint an old gt frame white but it is solid black and i know i kneed to sand it but what steps do i actually take to paint it to a nice bright white?

IMHO, only 2 ways to go.

1-really cheap way to go- scuff the paint with 400 grit wet sandpaper and then rattle can it. It can look pretty good depending on how much time you take sanding the frame, but the paint will always be soft and chip easily. Its pretty straighforward, sand,sand ,sand, degrease, 2-3 coats of paint.

2- have it blasted and powdercoated. Powdercoating leaves an extremely hard finish that is not quite as pretty as a professional job with catalysed automotive paint, but its pretty close. Prices start around $75.

There is a third path.

I use a chemical paint remover to completely strip the old frame. Then I sand it, shoot a coat of rattlecan primer and sand it down to what looks like bare metal again. Two or three coats of primer, a week of cure time, three coats of satin black, another week of cure time and I'm good-to-go.

Despite what others will tell you, a rattlecan paint job done this way doesn't chip.

It won't rival a factory paint job and probably won't even look as good as a powder coat job but you get the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

There is a third path.

I use a chemical paint remover to completely strip the old frame. Then I sand it, shoot a coat of rattlecan primer and sand it down to what looks like bare metal again. Two or three coats of primer, a week of cure time, three coats of satin black, another week of cure time and I'm good-to-go.

Despite what others will tell you, a rattlecan paint job done this way doesn't chip.

It won't rival a factory paint job and probably won't even look as good as a powder coat job but you get the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

You also get the nice satisfaction of dealing with some very nice non-hazaradous chemicals and the fun of completely removing said stripper from the frame.

You also get the nice satisfaction of dealing with some very nice non-hazaradous chemicals and the fun of completely removing said stripper from the frame.

He who would gather roses must not fear thorns.

I don't even wear protective gloves when I do it. As near as I can tell, it hasn't killed me yet.

Depending upon the chemical-stripper you use, most of it will have evaporated, leaving the paint bubbly and ready to be scraped off. Reapply to the stubborn areas. The thicker non-drip gooey strippers tend to do a better job with just one application, but you have to be careful about it getting on you as it hangs around.

thanks guys

Dupli Color wheel paint comes in white. It's more durable than their other paints because it's acrylic enamel rather than lacquer. Their clearcoat for wheels is also acrylic enamel.

The white also happens to be a pretty good Match for old Peugeots. I repainted the stays an fork on this one with it and it's holding up well. Enamel needs a long time to cure completely. I'm talking months, but you can assemble and ride the bike after a week if you're careful.

http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/2785/2439164060068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2439164060068014369jnBbzP)

There may be a fourth path. Remove everything not being painted. Degrease, sand, degrease some more... HAs anyone gone to a bodyshop and said "next time you paint someting white, can you paint this and call me?" .