paint on carbon?
09-15-06, 02:35 PM
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paint on carbon?
So, my new (to me) frame came with a carbon fiber fork, and the weave pattern is a little bit too flashy looking- I'm going to be locking this thing up for hours at a time at night. Flat black should be a less appealing to thieves. Does anybody know anything about painting this stuff? Like, will it compromise the structural integrity of the carbon if I rough it up a little bit and rattlecan it?
09-15-06, 02:41 PM
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in batman begins he painted carbon fiber and he seemed to do fine with it
09-15-06, 02:43 PM
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Patriot over on the road forum has painted about a dozen CF frames.
he'd be a good one to ask.
he'd be a good one to ask.
09-15-06, 02:53 PM
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I've been rocking a painted CF fork for a few years now. Here's what you need to know:
-You can't powdercoat CF. Its curing temperature is much less than the paint and it would melt.
-Sand off the clearcoat it already has until you're near the fibers. You can nic the fibers a little bit and it won't compromise the integrity (unless you really gash it or sand it extremely thin).
-Use automotive paint if you have a hookup, or rattle-can (Montana paint or Belton is available in any color and goes on cleaner than anything else) if you dont. Automotive paint isn't that much better when it comes to getting dinged because the CF is soft anyway.
-It will chip up over time. This is unavoidable, but painting a primer coat, two color coats, and a clear coat will delay this to some extent. Using a darker (and matte) color will make this less noticable.
Cheers.
-You can't powdercoat CF. Its curing temperature is much less than the paint and it would melt.
-Sand off the clearcoat it already has until you're near the fibers. You can nic the fibers a little bit and it won't compromise the integrity (unless you really gash it or sand it extremely thin).
-Use automotive paint if you have a hookup, or rattle-can (Montana paint or Belton is available in any color and goes on cleaner than anything else) if you dont. Automotive paint isn't that much better when it comes to getting dinged because the CF is soft anyway.
-It will chip up over time. This is unavoidable, but painting a primer coat, two color coats, and a clear coat will delay this to some extent. Using a darker (and matte) color will make this less noticable.
Cheers.
