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Clearcoating a frame .. looking for advice

Old 08-04-15, 05:49 PM
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Clearcoating a frame .. looking for advice

I am going to be Clearcoating my Black 1989 Centurion Ironman frame. and in the past on other bikes i have used rattle can clear coat, which can have ok results with enough coats.

I have been thinking about getting the duplicolor Clearcoat from the Auto Parts Store and a basic HVLP gun from sears or Harbor Freight.

1. preferences or experiences with these methods.
2. "do" and "dont's"
3. Rattle can preference for brand ?

Im weighing the options, i know the HVLP and Jar route is more expensive but it seems like it would be a better end product.

What do you guys use? and your thoughts on it.
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Old 08-04-15, 06:17 PM
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you can get a cheapo detail HVLP gun from home depot for like $30 and then i have used the dupont clearcoat which they sell at O'Reilly's (if you have that auto parts store). you wont find anything much better than dupont-

the real issue is your compressor- you want at least 40 gallons and make sure you have a pressure regulator to get it to less than 30psi (you can look this stuff up on the interwebs). if you just blast at it with a small compressor with full pressure it will look like crap.. literally.
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Old 08-04-15, 07:04 PM
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If you must use a rattle can, put some hot water in a basin, sit the can in it for 20 seconds, then fire away.
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Old 08-05-15, 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Pistard
If you must use a rattle can, put some hot water in a basin, sit the can in it for 20 seconds, then fire away.
Interesting! I have never heard this before. Am really intrigued, could you tell more?
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Old 08-05-15, 07:04 AM
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Yeah, just remember, for an HVLP gun, you need a LOT of volume. Not pressure.
Most home type air compressors don't kick out enough volume to run them properly.
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Old 08-05-15, 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by fleslider
I am going to be Clearcoating my Black 1989 Centurion Ironman frame. and in the past on other bikes i have used rattle can clear coat, which can have ok results with enough coats.

I have been thinking about getting the duplicolor Clearcoat from the Auto Parts Store and a basic HVLP gun from sears or Harbor Freight.

1. preferences or experiences with these methods.
2. "do" and "dont's"
3. Rattle can preference for brand ?

Im weighing the options, i know the HVLP and Jar route is more expensive but it seems like it would be a better end product.

What do you guys use? and your thoughts on it.
Is it lacquer? I think I've picked up and looked at a can and it is. Lacquer over enamel can result in a nice crinkle finish. And I don't know if Centurion used enamel, but that would be my assumption. Test in a hidden area first. And if the lacquer clear coat doesn't "melt" the enamel, it doesn't stick as well.

Edit: Checked and Duplicolor BSP30x series is lacquer. Beware.

Last edited by Ex Pres; 08-05-15 at 09:18 AM.
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