Jonmustang

I'd like to paint my commuter bike's components (some nice Avid brakes, a decent stem, etc.) all black so it's a little bit less flashy, hopefully making it less of a target for any bicycle thieves. I don't want it to look BAD though... I'd like paint to go on smooth and hold up nearly as well as factory paint.

Has anyone ever painted a brake levers/calipers or anything like that? Prone to chipping, much? I hate to even suggest it (it's so cheesy) but do you think a Sharpie could permanently darken an already-dark-gray brake part without much trouble?

JeffS

No, you can't do it. Not because it's not possible, but because by asking the question you've shown that you don't know enough to make it work.

Where's the guy that painted all the silver on his bike blue. Ask him for a current picture and look at how much of it has flaked off.

Here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/544406-yet-more-paint.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/566246-got-new-frame.html

And no, a Sharpie is not the answer.

wunderkind

And this has to do with Commuting instead of Bike Modifications because......

Jonmustang

I thought it might spark a discussion about bicycle camouflage (so to speak). Bike theft is kinda a huge issue here in the SF Bay Area for commuters. They'll just run up and take your bike right off the front of the bus. I figure, making a bike look plain is more of a concern to commuters than modifiers.

Jonmustang

You're probably right -- well, you're half-right. I "know" about sanding, surfacing, priming, blocking, base and clear coats. I've been working on cars, bikes and boats for years. Problem is, I'm just too impatient these days. Wanted a quick-fix this time and there's so many nooks and crannies on brakes, haha.

squirtdad

I have rattlecanned a frame.....and have the chips to prove it. you won't get as durable a finish as factory.

Judging from past posts on this....the only way to make a bike less of a target is to make it look bad...think spray on truck bed liner....bad brush paint job.....wrap with electrical tape.... put a millions stickers on the bike

You might just try debadging.....but more important is locking well

gerv 

Maybe a good quality u-lock would be a better strategy...

grolby

I've been repeating this for years, and it doesn't seem to sink in: bicycle camouflage (aka uglification) Does Not Work.

Lock your bike securely with good locks. That will keep away opportunists, but the pros - and there are a LOT of pro bike thieves - know good stuff when they see it. I'm not saying that making your bike ugly will do absolutely nothing. It might not catch the eye of a thief as readily. Still, it's a weak defense and you end up with an ugly bike without much of a gain in security.

Your best bet is to lock your bike up securely, and leave it locked up outdoors as little as possible. If you have to keep a bike out on the street for long stretches of time (like hours and hours at a time), then an actual low-end but functionally sound bike is a better bet. In other words, a low-end frame with low-end junky parts, but maintained junky parts. Personally, I ride relatively valuable bikes because I can leave them inside during most of the working day, and I haven't ever lived in a city or town with a serious bike thief problem. I would choose differently if I had to lock up outside all day long, especially in a city with lots of thieves.

Skivvy9r

Consider temporary paint. Washes off when you tire of it. No substitute for a good lock, but reduces the curb appeal of the bike.

meanwhile

Gosh. It's like people think you're not the centre of the world. How can that be???

Why do you assume these are mutually exclusive alternatives?

You know almost nothing. Which would be ok, if you weren't Mr Attitude.

Pros will steal a decent bike by ***cutting through the frame*** to get re-saleable components. This will by-pass any lock, obviously. Uglifying will help enormously here - take a dremel to brand names on components, dribble epoxy on good rims and axles or spray them badly, write "not for sale!" and add an email address with a sharpie. Yes, you will lower the re-sale value of the bike. That's the point. Obviously this uglification should shout its presence, so don't rely on the dremel alone - slosh that paint around.

I'm not quite sure how to uglify a brifter effectively, so I've used bar end shifters on my current street bike. Maybe paint epoxy would do the job - especially if you used yellow on the left and pink on the right, or some such combo.

Behold a genius!

So why do you think you're such an expert on bike theft and how to deter it?

meanwhile

But yes I think it can be very easily done.
We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun.
And have it on Highway 6-

Oops. But it is easy. Except for the bit about not looking bad *and* acting as a deterrent. Use a two part epoxy paint like Por 15 Hardnose. But a junkie working in a hurry in the dark might think black is the colour your components are supposed to be. Better to use orange or yellow and to slosh it on unevenly.

meanwhile

Another genius!

dahoyle

I won't get into the debate about whether or not it will make your bike safer, but I will say that a properly prepared surface will hold up within reason, if all the correct steps are taken.

If I was serious about it, I would disassemble everything, and have the parts powder coated.

BLACK BIKE

Appliance epoxy paint in a rattle can may hold up well, although I've never tried it. Anyone tried this?

Scheherezade 

God said to Abraham, Kill me a son!
Abe said, man you must be puttin' me on
God said No, Abe said What.
God said you can do what you want but,

meanwhile

But to live outside the traffic laws
You must be honest
I know you always say that you agree
But where are you tonight, sweet fixie?

BLACK BIKE

A U lock won't prevent the OP's flashy components from being targeted by thieves.

iforgotmename

Flat rustoleum...use the brush and roll technique. If you brush it on and use a roller to create a finish you get a cool durable look. You can also "dab" the paint with a brush to create a distressed look. I have used these techniques along with a little sanding and have no chips. Hope this helps.

Jonmustang

Ah yes -- kind of a valve-cover look, like we used to do on engine blocks and stuff. Yeah, you're right, that process does seem to stick pretty well. Thanks!

As for U-locks and other discussion -- well, yeah, a foolish type like me who hasn't yet lost a bike to theft is probably gonna go with just locks and luck for now. If I loose a bike, I'm sure I'll not have any problems with sloshing paint around on the next one. For now, though, I just don't have the heart to do that to a shiny, black frame! (Famous last words?)

djetelina

Actually a GREAT QUESTION regarding bike camouflage. Got me to thinkin. Came up w/ a Decal Kit which provides the illusion of Bike Scratches/Structural Cracks. Just got the samples in from the printer. Tested them on some bikes, THEY ABSOLUTELY KICK ASS! Almost scary, they are so good. Very thin polyethylene, it is weather proof, wash proof, yet come off years later without damaging the finish. They will go on sale next week at BikeRegistry. But for Jonmustang, please send me a PM with your mailing address and I will send you a sample kit for your bike. Many thanks again for askin the question! Will follow-up w/ some photos and a totally unscripted, unrehearsed utube video on this outrageously good illusion....

DanBraden

Someone already mentioned it, but I've toyed with the idea of using rino liner to cover my bike frame in a durable coating. I don't know that I'd ever do it, but a friend covered some patches on his car with the stuff, and it seemed to do a pretty nice job. Eh, a coat of paint might be the difference between me making up the next hill or walking

Praxis

Powdercoat. More durable, utilitarian look. Not fancy.

My bike needs refinishing; I'm going to powdercoat when I can find a spare bike to use in the meantime. I'm thinking of a clear powdercoat.

ItsJustMe

Include a Huffy logo and nobody will touch the thing.

DanBraden

Oh, oh, ZING! Hey huffy's suck, did you know that?

corkscrew

I rattle canned my Cannondale last Summer.

Stripped, and prepped properly, you won't get flaking. However, since rattle can paint isn't hardened at all it will scratch and marr rather easily.

I'd suggest finding a powder coater that knows how to work with bicycles. My roomie just got his Cannondale frame and handlebar coated for $50. Thats almost as much as I spent on rattle can paint last year.