Painting?
09-17-12, 09:31 PM
#1
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Painting?
Alright, so I picked up an old bike that I decided to fix up, repaint, and make into a nice commuter for when I don't feel like gearing up and riding my race bike. I took everything off, sanded/aircraft strippered all the paint off, degreased it, and I just finished with the 2nd coat of primer.
What my question is, is what kind of masking tape should I use for small details? The end goal is a black bike with small gold accents, and some white stripes down it. Like thin white strips, probably about 1/4 inch tapering down to 1/8 or less.
The planned process was going to be:
1. primer
2. white paint and mask off small stripes
3. gold paint and mask off details
4. black paint
5. clear coat
I have the blue 3M masking tape.
Oh, and I don't know if it matters or not, but I'm using rustoleum rattle cans. I know, not the best, but I'm trying to do this on the cheap.
What my question is, is what kind of masking tape should I use for small details? The end goal is a black bike with small gold accents, and some white stripes down it. Like thin white strips, probably about 1/4 inch tapering down to 1/8 or less.
The planned process was going to be:
1. primer
2. white paint and mask off small stripes
3. gold paint and mask off details
4. black paint
5. clear coat
I have the blue 3M masking tape.
Oh, and I don't know if it matters or not, but I'm using rustoleum rattle cans. I know, not the best, but I'm trying to do this on the cheap.
09-17-12, 11:28 PM
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This is a good read that describes painting a bicycle.
https://www.amazon.com/One-Gear-Conve.../dp/1584234180
https://www.amazon.com/One-Gear-Conve.../dp/1584234180
09-18-12, 10:35 AM
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Theres this masking "paint" that I've seen when I was into model cars. You use this stuff to essentially paint the area to be masked and after you paint the bike, this stuff peels off similar to latex. Its been so long, I do not remember the name or term that is used for this "masking paint". Tape would prob be better since this was intended for modeling where small precision is needed.
09-18-12, 06:48 PM
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automotive paint suppliers have the tape you are talking about and it comes in a variety of sizes. It is called fine line by 3m.
09-19-12, 01:55 PM
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Alright, so I decided that instead of painting the white lines, it would be much easier to just use pinstriping tape. I'll post a before and after shot of the bike. So far I've done 2 coats primer, 3 coats gold, and 4 coats black. just need to touch it up, sand, put on the pinstriping tape, and clear coat. 
09-19-12, 02:39 PM
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Another option is paint markers.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
09-24-12, 07:57 PM
#7
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Blue painter tape is mainly for surfaces where peel off is a problem, not so good for solvent paints. 3M rates their tape products on a 4 or 5 notch scale of adhesion/durability and blue is usually 1 where body shop grade is 4-5. Get fine-line or automotive grade 4-5 and make sure about your expiration dates. All pro grade 3M masking tape will have a small expiration date printed inside the roll. 6-8 months is the professional service life of an opened roll(though it will seem to adhere after that).
