FOBx530

Ok, I've seen many threads about painting frames etc.

I posted earlier about buying a used bicycle for 30 dollars, I've already cleaned it etc and put up a new handle.

Now, I'm just trying to make it look more "spiffy."

Its a 70's vintage Azuki Bicycle, blue.

I've already made the handle bar grip blues, now I'm just thinking of spray painting the the saddle blue to match my bicycle.

The saddle itself, is not fabric more of a rubber or leather feeling. I want to just paint it because I know how expensive saddles can be. But coming from a 30 dollar initial cost, does not make sense.

I understand that some people buy new saddles because of its comfort, but to me, A BICYCLE SADDLE IS NOT A SEAT. I just sit on it from time to time but I usually don't sit on it.


Anybody out there have any pointers in painting it at all? Or should I just buy a blue saddle, but I cannot seem to find a cheap blue saddle.



Thanks to all!

mesasone

Painting seems like a poor choice... if the paint doesn't rub off on your clothing, it will probably rub off of the seat and look worse than before. Why not try finding or making a tight fitting canvas (or similar cloth) saddle cover, and dying it to match your seat?

jsmithepa

Taking into consideration your $30 investment, anything that u may wanna spend on this endevour would most likely leave u with a blue butt.

mikerhymeswith

i wondered the same thing so i googled "leather paint" and learned this is a common practice for shoes and handbags. leather paint is cheap (<usd10). i'd try it and see what happens with sacrificial pants

luckily for my wallet the E3 Titanium saddle works well for me, but it only comes in black. i was wondering if i could paint it white. i have not performed this experiment yet -it's not high on the todo list. i'll post results if i get any

onbike 1939

If you are talking about leather dye then this can work. Give it a coat of beeswax following the treatment and polish off.

Booger1

You can take it to a shoe repair store and they can dye it any color you wish,leather or not.

carpediemracing 

Try a car upholstery place. They may have scrap vinyl/leather to give away.

cdr

Zan

if you ride the bike at all, you'll rub any paint off.

in my opinion there are a few places you don't cheap out on:

anywhere where you body touches the bike, and your helmet.

if you want a new saddle, go buy one. i ride a bike i picked up off the end of someone's drive. spent 15$ getting new bar tape, 60$ on new pedals, 70$ on a new saddle.

waldowales

SEM makes a spray can paint for flexible surfaces. Not cheap at about $11.00 a can, but one coat will last for a couple of years before needing touch-up, and one can should last practically forever.

Bikedued

I tried shooting a an old perforated leather saddle red with SEM. It looked good for a couple of rides, and the finish began cracking. It hasn't peeled yet, but looks kind of weird.,,,,BD

jimbooth

You can buy vinyl spray paint for auto interiors from NAPA auto parts. It doesn't seem to rub off.

mike

+1 Yup. That's the stuff. I use it to spiff up old saddles all the time. I have only found black and white vinyl spray. Maybe you will have more luck.

Anyway, it works very well. Does not come off on pants. Makes the saddle look new.

BCRider

If you have any second hand or consignment sport shops in your area I'd check for the Big Box O' Saddles that they often have. Likely you'll find a used replacement in a style you prefer for the same cost as the can of vinyl spray paint. Any older bike shops that deal with any and all style of bikes will typically have such a box as well.

FOBx530

Wow, you guys are awesome.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try the vinyl spray paint and pray it doesn't come off my clothing.

Its a good thing I'm painting it blue, because I wear jeans all the time. And yes I do bike in my jeans but I fold up the legs, this is because I ride mostly to school.

Also Mr. Barker, your link does not work.

I will try it and I"ll let you all know how it goes w/ the pictures!

mike

Just make sure you are using vinyl upholstery spray paint and it won't come off on your clothes. If you use regular spray paint, it will come off on your clothes. Stick to the real deal.

dobber

I'm sure the local bike shop could fix you up with a take-off.

Retro Grouch 

So what have you got to lose?

Since you already own the paint, spray away. If it turns out to be unsatisfactory (my bet) go to any bike shop and ask to see their box of original equipment saddles. They generally sell for between $5.00 and $10.00. If they ask for any more than that, try another LBS.

Coyote2

My local shoe repairman recovered a worn saddle with new leather for $5. I reckon a shoe repair person could find blue leather or dye some leather blue for you.

jsmithepa

Where u posting from, India? In my neck of the woods, traditional shoe shops are dissapearing. Nobody repair shoes, they just buy another pair. $5bux ha! that's gotta be an exception to the rule, perhaps u ough to offer the OP to do for him, am sure u will be compensated properly.

slushlover2

I work at a car dealership. Our reconditioning department painted a saddle yellow for me for $15. It held up well.

Coyote2

Rural USA.

Joshua A.C. New

I've got a couple of cobblers around me, too. You probably just don't notice them unless you have leather boots.

Ex Pres 

Don't buy cheap shoes. Spend a few hundred+ on a pair and you'll find a cobbler in your city. I've resoled a pair of J&Ms I've had for 20 years at least half a dozen times.

and I rechecked my earlier [dead] link. tmax1 must have just pulled the pic.

Coyote2

Yeah, my cobbler also fixed up my cowboy boots for about $8, and that including fresh polish and shine. That's better than spending $200 on new boots.

But I suppose that continuing to use old stuff, as opposed to buying new stuff, is un-American.