Matte to Glossy
 

What is the best way to paint a matte finish glossy?

Spray a gloss clear over it.

I thought about doing that, but wasn't sure if it would achieve the desired affect.

That's how base/clear paints work. The base color is flat and the clear provides the gloss. I wouldn't try it with a rattlecan clear, because the results will not be great or durable. Best results will be achieved with a catalyzed clear over a properly prepared surface.

try car wax and polish that.

If you try this, make certain that the wax does not contain silicones if you think you might want to paint it later. It is very difficult to remove silicones and you are likely to get fisheye or orange peel defects if you try to paint over silicone-containing paint.

I'll also add that not all "paint" is agreeable with low cost rattle can stuff. Powder coating is an example of a finish that won't accept enamels. The clear coat will go on and dry but will flake off soon enough. Before adding a different brand/sourcing of paint on top of a preexisting finish do your homework or be willing to end up with a result that is even worse then before you started. Andy

Powder coat an exception, Prep is taking all the original finish off..

I would think waxing would give it more sheen, but maybe not enough to look glossy. May try it though.

Good info.

Maybe someone has actually polished a matte bike frame. I haven’t, but I can tell you about polishing ukuleles. I have some ukuleles. I have polished the satin finish tops on a few of them; even used a car buffer on one.

I was able to get a nice gloss, but it was not the same deep gloss as the finish on my guitars and other ukes that have a sprayed gloss finish. They look like a hand rubbed gloss; which is okay for an instrument finish. The areas around the neck and bridge are difficult to polish. The back of the neck actually looks better; those who play will understand, which means maybe after 50 or 100 hours.

I can’t imagine polishing a matte bike finish, especially where the tubes meet, and getting any decent result remotely close to a painted gloss finish. And once you start you can’t go back.

John

To paint a frame glossy, first clean thoroughly with mineral spirits and clean new rags, or special wipes, made for this purpose. Use 800 grit wet sandpaper or grey extra fine scotch brite to scuff every bit of the surface. Wear nitrile gloves to avoid finger oils getting on the frame. The frame must be very clean and lightly tack ragged to insure no lint on the surface.

Catalyzed gloss clear urethane paint is sold in spray cans. Once the catalyst is introduced, the paint must be used within a limited time. I'd get two cans. Start with fork, to get some practice before moving on to the frame.