Any frame painters??
 

Looking to repaint an old Trek 1200 aluminum frame. Just finished the disassembly and sanded the frame, but after reading around here about painting aluminum and whatnot, I realized I would just rather pay someone to paint it professionally.

Anybody know where I can send it/take it? I'm not looking for a crazy custom paintjob, probably just a solid color, but would like it done professionally and reasonably priced. Im west of Chicago, so if anybody knows a place around here that would be sweet. Otherwise, I could ship it wherever.

Thanks
Dman

Can't recommend anyone for you but you might consider powdercoating also. Gives a very durable finish. Search in the Classic & Vintage subforum. Tons of advice to be had there for all types of paint finishing and I'm sure someone will recommend someone in your area.

I have had three frames powdercoated and am extremely pleased.

Don in Austin

That's most likely a bonded joint Al frame and would not recommend powder coating as the heat involved may compromise the joints.

Check with local body shops. Bike shops, especially ones that do fixed conversions, may also have some sources they use. That's how I found the powdercoater who did my steel frame.

Thanks for the responses. I know there are tons of threads on here about painting, and after reading alot of them, I think I might shy way from powdercoating due to the heat involved, unless someone can assure me it would be ok for my frame. Some threads here pointed to precisionpowder.net, but their site says they bake at I think 450deg, which I'm not sure is safe for my frame (if it is tho, let me know your opinion on that).

I thought about going the local body shop route, but once again I read here that aluminum must be prepped with zinc chromate or etched, and with frames being much different to paint than cars I worry that the paint job may not bturn out that great (runs, etc.)

Theres a few local bike shops I guess I could ask. Maybe Ill have to go that route. If I find a place I'll be sure to share it here.

My fixed gear conversion bike is an old Raleigh Technium frame - aluminum frame tubes bonded onto a steel rear triangle. I repainted it (after removing all of the original finish) using Rustoleum primer and paint. It doesn't rival a factory paint job but I'm certainly not ashamed to ride it. The paint is two or three years old and hasn't chipped anywhere. I'm satisfied.

What's the worst that could happen? Just strip the new paint off and you're back to where you are now.

I did repaint an old Nishiki years ago with rustoleum (still have that bike too, in fact). Looked great for a few months but it chips/scratches too easily, IMO. Plus that was a ChroMo frame, this ones aluminum. I do have a nice auto sprayer that I painted a few cars with, but I also had a huge barn back in the day to paint in. Now I'm in a townhouse, and no room to do the paintwork.