Recommendations on frame painting

[lumpydog]

Recently purchased 2007 LeMond Alpe D'huez, spine frame half aluminum, half carbon. Looks like at one point it was a well taken care of bike, but owner I purchased from really knocked the frame around. Nothing serious- no bends, cracks, dents. But the paint job has taken a beating- chips and more chips out of the paint. Mechanically is still a great bike and was wondering if there are places that can do a paint job that resembles the original factory paint? Would love to get this back to looking like the awesome bike that it is Any help would be appreciated.

[fr333zin]

I don't know about Michigan area, but you could certainly get work like that done at Argos Cycles in Bristol UK. I recently had my old steel Mercian frame re-sprayed by them and was amazed to see the different array of bikes in restoration and paint ranging from 1930's classics to modern carbon full suspension frames - all with correct transfers and box-lining. I paid equivalent of $400 but expect a bit more as you can't sandblast carbon... There must be similar businesses in the US - where's your nearest custom builder?

[puchfinnland]

even your local bodyshop can do a great paintjob,

you dont have to remove the old finish if it is not peeling off, some chips and scratches is easy to carefull sand smooth,

why not have the bike frame dis-assembled and take it to a bodyshop with the pictures you have in mind.

once they pick up the frame and realize this is no toy they will take your seriously.

my frame is going to the painter tomorrow and the price is 200, metallic and only one color, I stripped it to bare metal and I will tape the chrome parts(steel frame)

being a carbon frame you may want to prep it yourself, sanding and taping.

Car painters paint EVERY DAY, and are experts of the craft.

[reddog3]

I would search out Doug Fattic. He's a custom frame builder and runs a frame building class in Michigan. He would surely know of any bicycle specific refinishers in your area. I would not trust a restoration to the local body shop. If you're willing to ship the frame somewhere there are plenty of custom painters. Joe Bell, CycleArt and Coat Paint are three that immediately come to mind. There are plenty others that specialize in bikes.

[bikemig]

CyclArt has been specializing in restoring bicycles for a long time, http://www.cyclart.com/.

[lumpydog]

OK, thanks to everyone for help and suggestions. I've also heard that Trek offers a paint program, but am wondering if I can get it re-painted in original LeMond paint scheme or will I get back a LeMond that looks like a Trek? hmmmm.......

[Homebrew01]

If you want it to look original, with the correct decals etc, then you have some good suggestions.
I would not go to a car painter, even for a plain paintjob. A motorcycle painter would be better. Powder coating is another option.

[fietsbob]

Powder coaters Blast as a clean surface prep,
and I'd think that is not wanted on the Carbon fiber portions .

UBI, @ bikeschool.com has a resource link page , with website links,
to ask around on the various listed finishing specialists