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Old 08-16-12 | 07:03 AM
  #17  
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the_tool_man
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
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From: Spartanburg, SC, USA

Bikes: 1983 Fuji Touring Series IV, Masi Volumetrica 3VC

I'm no pro painter, but I am a long-time woodworker and DIYer. The Preval system looks pretty innovative, but the consumable "power unit" cost will add up quick. Reminds me of the aerosol cans of Propel compressed air I used to buy for my hobby airbrush years ago. For $45 you can get an electric HVLP spray rig from Harbor Freight. Despite being Chinese-made, it's a pretty good unit that gets lots of good reviews. I bought one to spray lacquer and polyurethane finishes on furniture, and it works quite well. If I ever painted I bike, that's what I'd reach for.

For a one-color paint job, if I didn't already have the rig, $65 for turnkey strip and powder coat would be tempting. Again, make sure the powdercoat is polyurethane, because epoxy will oxidize. And, if the frame is aluminum, don't cure above 400 deg. F. If it's carbon, then powdercoat isn't an option.
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