painting a frame
 

I want to repaint a bike frame on the cheap(ish). I've done the rattle can thing and I'm not happy with the durability. I am hoping someone might have some advise/good ideas for how I can get a hold of and use some 2-part auto enamel(small quantity without needing a compressor. Either that or where in SOCal I can get it done for cheap. Not picky about the paint job, just 1 color and durable. I can do all of the prep work myself no problem. Any ideas?

not having a compressor eliminates your painting it, that's OK, I don't have and don't plan to get one. I've had friends in the past run frames through for me while they were doin' a car anyway. Favors, inside deals, they did it and that's that.

This is unrealistic for the most part.

Here at the forums, time and time again, felows have written of, showed photos of and in every way vouch for and prove to me anyway, that POWDER COATING is a great option. Prices are astonishingly reasonable. I'm convinced it's the way to go. It seems that prep. is WAY less of a problem, it's durable and looks relly fine.

"Search the Forums" as shown ... the threads, just look under powder coating, plenty of IMFO.

you are going to have to pick up the phone and start calling around or post in the socal subforum here.

if you do your rattlecan job right and let the paint cure for a week or 2 before mounting parts, you should have decent results (and durable).

Yet another new post came up on powder coating, 3 a week...

You can get two part paint in spray cans from auto body supply stores. Still not dirt cheap, probably $50/can compared to $5 can for Krylon.

Powder coat is extremely durable. I just had to chip some away on my motorcycle to repair a broken weld.

The best paint job without a sprayer is probably one part marine polyurethane. Use a quality brush and brush strokes will dissapear. The paint (and decent brush) are not inexpensive however.

Has anyone had any luck with rattle can polyurethane?

Why spray???
 

Though spray painting and powder coating is the best way to get top notch results, I have had very good luck using a simple can of paint and a paint brush. No over-spray to worry about. No spray dust settling here, there and everywhere. Not nearly as much expense. And did I mention, pretty decent results if you take your time.

Have a peek at my brush painted Peugeot PX10. Not prefect but certainly presentable and for a guy like me who does not have a lot of money, very cost effective. While viewing the paint work keep in mind that I am an old fellow whose hands are not as steady as they used to be, nor is my vision what it once was. But painting with a paint brush is a forgiving procedure and decent results are more than likely.

The Peugeot cost me about thirty dollars for paint, brush, sand paper, primer etc.

i've just sent a frame to be painted - they are going to; prime, 1st coat, rub down and then apply final coat.
hoping for good result - it's costing only £50 which i don't think is too bad. the frame when i got is was hammerite black! so nay improvement will be a good one

You can get a frame powder coated for 50 - 60 bucks. It is going to look far better than even the best rattle can job.

If only that didn't cost 3-4 times that quote around here

interesting. can you provide more details on the paint, brush(es), and clear coat? is there a gallery of your work?