Prepping a frame for paint??
 

I would appreciate hearing from those of you you have refinished a frame. Specifically the steps after sandblasting and before primer. Do you re-sand the frame by hand? If so what grit? I will be using an epoxy primer.
Thanks!!

After all the cleaning and blowing off with compressed air I like to go over things with a torch. It melts off any lint and fuzzies as well as vaporizes the moisture that forms on the surface. Not enough to heat up the substrate, just enough to dissipate that layer of moisture. Apply finish before the substrate has time to cool below to the ambient temperature allowing moisture for condensate on the surface again.

I sand with 100grit dry paper. I always seem to miss a few little spots from blasting. Also it will shine the metal and any tiny dings will remain dark, a lot easier to find them that way. I've missed a few that were hard to see before sanding. Then clean the frame and then wipe down with a tack cloth.

In addition to the above, I wiped the whole frame down with alcohol (mineral spirits would work, too) and let air dry before applying the primer. I read on Sheldon's site that this step can help remove any oils that have been transferred from your hands to the frame, which might impact the paint adherence. Possibly this is unnecessary, but it has done no harm to the one frame so far that I have done.

One caution to add is when using a prep cleaner (my preference is "prep-sol") be sure to wear gloves to prevent skin oils and fingerprinting that always seems to haunt later when spraying.

Thanks for the replies! I was able to spray 2 coats of epoxy primer on the frames and forks today. They are hanging in the shop drying. Next step will be picking up the base coat colors on Monday. My sister in law will be helping me as she is the artist in the family. She is also going to line the lugs!

What's the frame, @Tandem Tom?

One frame is my 1983 Schwinn Super le Tour. I am converting it to a 650b. The second frame is my 1984 Miyata 610. This has become my favorite ride.

A timely thread! My son is stripping the old paint off a repaired Trek 620 as I type, and I hope we can get it painted soon!

What are you using to strip the paint, if you don't my asking?

Jasco paint stripper. It works well enough, although it would be nice if it were warmer outside.