duane041

Just finished painting the frame of one of my bikes and wanted to see what everyone thought of it. It's a custom job, something I just came up with. I did the decals myself, too, so they aren't an attempt at originality. And I did add in some humor, thanks to some of the other fellows on the forums.
Here's the semi-finished product

DXchulo

That's pretty cool.

What did you paint it with? How much time did it take you? How did you do the decals?

I spray painted my beater, but I didn't do a very good job. It looked good for a week or so, but the paint chips very easily. Either I didn't use enough clear coat or I just used crappy paint. Maybe a little of both.

ViperZ

Gas Pipe Deluxe is teh Hottness!

duane041

I used mostly Createx Auto Air Color. They are a line of paint made specifically for airbrushing automobile graphics. I chose them because they are both water clean-up, and non-toxic.
I started with a metallic gold base over a black etching primer. Did the white sections, masked them off, and then shot a mix of Transparent Root Beer and Transparent Yellow over the front end, and Transparent Yellow and Candy Red over the back end.
The decals were done on a photoprinter and my mac at home. The paper came from www.kustomrides.com. They sell a mix of white paper and clear paper, which is what i needed. Did the type in Photoshop, printed it on the sheet, shot a wet coat of clear over it (the same clear I will use on the frame, to avoid any problems), waited about 30 minutes to dry, and then they worked like a charm. It was waaaaaaay easier than I ever expected. You should try it out, it's pretty fun

Also, i would guess that your paint may be chipping because either the primer didn't adhere well, or the clear was put on too heavily, not allowing the previous coats proper time to dry. Just a guess.

duane041

And rare, too! I think they only made about 4.5 million of them

metal_cowboy

Nice work. Great looking bike.

garysol1 

great job....55/Rad.....are you looking?...LoL

Patriot

Yeah, I've heard of Createx Auto Airbrush pain before.

Click on links below in my signature.

BTW, nice looking bike.

DXchulo

Oh the possibilities with the graphics....

I wish I had the space/equipment/money/skills to paint a bike like that. I'd be going to yard sales, goodwill, etc. buying cheap old bikes to paint and turn into fixies. My girlfriend would hate me. It'd be great.

What do you plan on doing with this bike?

duane041

Have to get i back to work and reassemble, and then next nice day take it for a spin. I'm in Chicago, and nice days at this time of year are few and far between.

And my girlfriend is already doing this when I tell her about another bike I just got. Which happens every two weeks or so. I would like to go at a cruiser next, because they have those nice curving frames. But first up is a donor Cannondale frame that has no components on it. I'm going to use it as a test mule for some different ideas.

Patriot, sweet work! Just read through those threads, and now I'm going to be late for work!!!
I read something about the sparkle flake colors in one of the threads. I plan on doing something with a Green Sparkle that I just got (althought it might be on my motorcycle helmet, not a bike). I'll let you kow how it goes.

hi565

its a beaut!

biker7

Well done. Be sure to post a pic of the finished bike. I grew up riding gas pipe Schwinn roadbikes so whenever I see one I just smile. I gave all my old Schwinn parts to a riding buddy who still rides his Continental.
You are a big boy to ride that frame...looks like Schwinn's biggest model...a 25 incher.
You have talent and thanks for sharing.
George

Namenda

Tastefully done. Looks like a pro job. Post more pics when you have it built up!

cyclintom

Very nice work. But don't quit your day job. Bicyclists are too cheap to pay what a good paint job cost in time and effort.

I've done a couple of rattle can jobs that came out WAY better than I thought they should. Especially a Bianchi that I did that everyone assumed was a Reparto Corsa.

Nachoman

I'm notably impressed.

duane041

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. It's nice to hear

biker7- Even though its gas pipe, I love the fact that there aren't any lugs on these bikes. The smooth transitions work well with metallic colors. And I am 6'2", but have a 36.5" inseam, so the frame works out nicely for me. I will post when she's finished, should be Monday or Tuesday of next week.

cyclintom- I'd like to do this as side work, because I find it fascinating. Since this is my second attempt, I figure I'll get better as time goes on. And I think you're right about some tightwads out there

55/Rad

Yep, I noticed. Very nice looking job. I love the color - is there a name for that copper/burnt orange color?


Not all of them are.

55/Rad

cyclintom

Not all, certainly, but if you write to CycleArt you'll find they have a pretty good collection of high end bikes that people wanted completely restored paint and decal wise and then didn't pay for.

DXchulo

So do they sell them at a discount?

biker7

Duane...because of your skill...consider doing repair work for this forum. People are getting their prize bikes scratches all the time. Do you think you could effectively match colors?...say repainting just a top tube and matching the rest of the frame?
It has been said that some experienced painters can do a better job color matching by eye then by computer. I suppose candy colors would be most difficult because they are translucent with a different color base and top coat.
Let us know if this maybe within your capability or something you would consider as a side line.
I look forward to seeing your finished bike.
George

cs1

Is that a fillet brazed frame or one of the welded ones? Whatever it is it sure looks nice. I've always liked that color scheme. It is screaming for a Brooks honey colored saddle.


Tim

cyclintom

Often times, yes. Considering what you're buying.

duane041

It wasn't a stock color. I did a metallic gold base (I like warm colors), and then sprayed a Transparent Brown and Transparent yellow mix over it, and that's what I got. I was trying for an orange with an 'autumn' feel to it, and I think I got what i wanted. These paints are so fun to fiddle around with that I keep looking for crummy frames that need paint And if you still aren't happy with that frame that's been in paint since Marines wore brown shoes, give me a shout. I'd be honored to do your frame for you.

biker7 - I have gotten pretty good at matching colors by eye. I've been matching auto touch-ups for about 12 years, and I still find it interesting. I do have some candy colors, and there are many more available, so I'd be up for matching anything at this point. I enjoy challenges! If you know of anyone that needs something, let me know. I'd be glad to give it a shot.

cs1 - It's an Electroforged frame (It's an 85 Continental underneath the paint). I don't think I would've done a repaint on a fillet-brazed model, at least not a customized repaint. And even though a Brooks would look nice, it's going to be all Schwinn Approved for this one (it was a very nice, complete bike when I got it). The chrome plating alone weighs 10 pounds

biker7

Cool. Will keep your contact info on file if/when I need some paint work. What state are you in BTW?
Thanks again,
George

Terex

Schwinn - Schweet! And in my favorite color too, 'arnch.