We are located in Deleware. I handle some of the administrative sales/marketing in Chicagoland.

Simple question - is it possible to powdercoat a frame in two different colours? For example: seat tube is black, everything else (lugged) is white. Is this possible?

Yes it is......They simply mask areas off with special high temp tape and aluminum foil. Thats the way I've seen it done anyways.

Hopefully it's okay to ask this question here: how are decals restored? Are they custom made or are they available somewhere?

Hi, I'm over on the C&V forum, I can help with the decals. PM me with your questions.

JRrestore

Another option is to use automotive paints over the powdercoat.
Simply clean the PCed frame with wax & grease remover and spray away.
Sanding NOT needed or recommended before applying auto paint. The clear will get good adhesion to the powdercoat chemically.

End result is, you have the durability of the powdercoat base, and the polishablility of the clear top paint.

Have a quick question. My classic Univega has gold trim where the tubes meet, but its fading and want to enhance it some more anyway.

Any one know of and where I can get a gold paint pen or something like that that works well on painted metal and weather?

I've found "Testors" paint pens at craft stores like Michaels work pretty well. They have a pretty stiff, chiseled tip that can be trimmed a bit with a razor if need be.

Thanks! Found some at an auto parts store that matched pretty well. It was nice had a ball tip or brush options.

Found X-Treme Coatings in a little town in eastern NC.
Reasonable pricing, 252-827-2628.
They blast and coat, looking to get beyond lawn furniture and auto wheels.

I'll update when they've done one of mine.

Is it possible to get a good qaulity paint job using spray paint?

Using, primer, a few layers, and clearcoat, while sanding between coats and i guess wet sanding too if thats nessecary?


Does anyone have an example of a spray paint job? Thanks

Do a search of the forums for tips on spray painting a bike. It will help a lot if you have a way to bake the frame, otherwise, it takes a very long time for the paint to fully dry; we're talking weeks.

Even then, the paint isn't as durable but there are some expensive($20-25 a can) spray paints that work pretty well.

Peugeot project

Raleigh Sprite project

I use the primer that reduces rust just in case I miss tiny bits during my sanding. There's also a primer that fills in small scratches but you can buy filler separately for that.

No need to sand between paint coats. You want to spray several light coats but you need to hit the frame with enough paint so that it "flows" but not so much that it runs. I use a refrigerator box with one vertical edge cut so a panel swings open like a door. I suspend the frame from the top of the garage door and surround it with the box. That keeps the wind, bugs and dust away.

I sprayed several lights coats of paint, let the frame sit for days, spray some more light coats. I let it sit for a couple of weeks before applying the clearcoat. Make sure your primer, paint, and clearcoat are compatible with each other, otherwise you will have trouble.

A powdercoat job with the right prep work will be better and not that much more expensive. Also a lot faster. But I found it to be fun to paint my bikes and that's why I did it.

Notice my projects were with very inexpensive frames. Anything nicer and it gets sent off to a real painter.

Those bikes turned out pretty good. That Peugeot really has a nice look to it.



Thanks for the tips, Hopefully I can find a fridge box haha, but i noticed you put "2 layers of krylon" Is that the brand?

One of my coworkers have a paint sprayer that he paid 80 for, and will sell for 20, might as well check it out.


3 questions (if you don't mind, hehe)



1 - How do you go about "baking" the frame?

2 - Do you do any sanding at all...more or less finishing sanding?

Thanks

3 - How much would powdercoating be?


Thanks a lot, I will do a search of the forums as well.

Powdercoating can be done for $100 and up. Depends on the painter, the prep. work involved, color selected, etc.

I've seen people "bake" a frame by putting it in a plastic greenhouse in the summer and letting it sit. Hot enough here in the summer that I haven't done that; I just wait longer. Another option is to put the frame in the trunk of your car and park in the sun. :)

You'll need to sand only if there are drips or runs. Also if you let the frame sit for a long time then decide it needs another coat; a light sanding with fine paper or even steel wool to just knock the skin off the paint.

I used one of those plastic trigger handles for my paint cans.

Krylon is a brand.

paint
 

Red's Auto Works 3512 county road 5 stanely newyork # (585)526-5551 when i asked him to paint a bicycle frame he didn't even look at me funny he took it in course and i had my frame back in like 6 days!!! the trick for getting it done kinda on the cheap is to ask to use what ever auto paint is laying around. Red mixed a VW blue and a kia blue for my frame and it came out wonderful. also prep your frame yourself it saves money. Tape off what you want taped off and be specific as to what you want. most auto body place have lots of little cans of left over paint they can't use because there isn't alot left or the batchcolors don't match. here is a pic of what Red did for me.

Cheap and effective painting...
 

I do not like spending a bunch of money on my old bikes and with that in mind, I paint frame sets myself and I use a simple paint brush. I am presently finishing up a feature article on how to do this. I plan to publish the how to feature article as part of my 1963 Peugeot PX10 restoration project which will also be featured on the website. I should add that painting with white paint is the most difficult of all colors to use(my opinion) but the results do the job nicely.

I paint with a brush for a couple of reasons. First, I hate spray cans and the damage they do to the environment. Second, spray painting a bicycle frame set is a difficult task since over spray is a problem. Third, I do not have a facility to spray paint a bicycle in. But I can paint a bike frame set, two tone and with art, in the kitchen. There is no mess to clean up. Have a look how my 198? Cambio Rino "2000" and 1958 Carlton "Flyer" turned out. If you want to see how the Peugeot turned out you will have to visit my newest website.

Not sure if I can mention the website's name or not so I will leave it out for the time being. If anyone is interested in learning how to do this you are welcome to email me.

Randy Fox
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Otto Rax is now getting into it. Raleigh, NC.

Mention it, please. No problem here.

Well, searched the forum and read through and can't really find what I'm looking for, so here goes:What's a reasonable figure to pay when getting a pretty routine"old normal bike" touch up and reclear? The decals have very little damage and there are just maybe 100 little paint dings to deal with. Appreciate any input.

jtarver, see if you can match your paint colors using Testors model paint or those automotive touch-up paint "pens" you can get at Autozone.

Nah...I'm gonna let the professionals attack this one, I'll save the model paint for my beater bikes.

Painters at NVA, dc metro area? Thanks.

I'm looking into having a frame restored to original condition. Is Dr Deltron still in business? I PM'ed him, but then I saw some posts hinting that he had enough of this BS!!

Any other options within our ranks? Not into powder coats. My budget is $4-500.

Thanks for the help, Jan

Yeah, I'd like to read that too. Can you post a link?