FenderTL5

So I have this older mountain bike that I put street tires on.
It's a KHS Montana Comp.

I started riding on this bike, had some mechanical issues (I think are resolved) and then bought my current hybrid that I use for a 15 mile (1way) commute.
I'm thinking of riding it as an alternate, maybe bad weather/snow bike.

Usage is not really the question, the question is: Should I paint over the pink and blue with a nice, subtle, paint to subdue thsi hot pink and blue?

ill.clyde

I'd leave it

joyota

I'd paint black on the fork and seat tube. Keep the blue/stickers. Just my $.02

alan s 

Keep in mind the ugliest bike in the rack is less likely to be stolen.

megalowmatt

I have something similar that I've been thinking about painting with truck bed liner spray.

Thrasymachus

Painting it right is gonna be a pain in the ass and not look right. You would have to take most the parts off, or gamble with taping and chancing some oversplash. Also unless you are highly skilled and practiced, which is not likely, it will look like total crap if you spray paint it. One of my friends in the mid 90's always was spray painting bmx frames himself, and it never looked good. I have hook-ups and know someone who owns an auto shop with a pressurized paint gun and one of my friends is a professional auto painter. I still would never paint a bike just because I didn't like a color. Only if the current paintjob was absolutely shot would I consider painting a bike in my possession. One of my Puerto Rican friends had to be so stylish and took apart a perfectly good purple, vintage Mongoose mountain bike just because he did not like the color to spray paint it. It ended up never getting painted and he lost quite a few parts, just because he had to be a fashionista. He says he would like to try commuting to his work, which is quite close about 4 miles, but he has no bike...

That paint-job looks like it is in immaculate condition. All you have to do is get over the pink, which is less work. People in this car dominated society already think people who bicycle are dorks, childish, outcasts or poor.

DVC45

I like it as it is.

Spend the $$ on racks and fenders.

FenderTL5

I was thinking battleship gray.

paint is good. I bought it at the garage sale of a former neighbor.. clearing the garage just prior to their move.
I don't think he ever rode the bike out of his driveway. I paid $20 for it.
Not pictured is a rear seat-post style rack that I put on it. I'm also thinking I may just add a wire basket to the rack, maybe a basket of some sort of front and just use it as a grocery/errand bike.

Astrozombie

And even when you get a proper paint job with a gun you might spray it on too thick and not be able to put it back together........Yah that happened to me, I would paint the pink parts white.

Germany_chris

The paint is intact, there is no need

likebike23

To some, that paint scheme is desirable. Vintage mountain bikes have a growing fan base. Ask over on this thread and see what they say:https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...mountain-bikes!

FenderTL5

OK, on your suggestion I did just that.
Maybe I'll learn something cool about the bike. I know nothing about older mtn. bikes. I took it off the neighbors hands just so he wouldn't have to move it. It was marked $20, which is what I gave him but he was ready to give it to me since the moving truck was on the way.

bikemig 

The existing paint job is in very decent shape. I wouldn't touch it.

jeffpoulin

If the bike is a perfect fit and the only thing holding you back is the color, then paint it. Otherwise, I'd leave it as is.

howeeee

If your not going to paint it right, like a complete strip or media blast 2 under coats 3 base coats and 2 clear coat...I wouldnt do it,,cause it will look like crap. It is a lot of work to do it right,,even with a rattlecan.

megalowmatt

I thought this poster did a decent job with the bed liner. Pictures on Page 2.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ed-liner/page2

gregjones

Leave it. I like it.

I ride a girl's bike anyway.

scoatw

I would definitely paint it. Using spray paint out of a rattle can isn't going to hurt that bike. If anything it would improve the looks. If you take your time and do a good job of taping, most folks wouldn't know the difference. A cheap paint job like that would hold up for quite a few years. And touch-up is easier to do. You don't have to tape everything. Remove the wheels, chain and crank. Leave on the handlebars. Tape everything else. Wrap the derailleur and/or brakes in newspaper. I painted my Gary Fisher a camouflage scheme over two years ago and its still holding up good. Over time you get a few nicks here and there, but its no big deal to me. I took my time and put about five coats of clear coat on it and let it dry completely for about a week. At the time it looked like I took it to a shop. I get comments on it all the time. I went on Youtube and looked at what other people did, and went from there. A cheap bike like you've got is a perfect candidate for a spay painting project. Good luck.
The picture below was taken right after I finished painting it. But as I said. It still looks good after two plus years with minor scuffs and nicks.

genec

+100

chrism32205

I'd say leave it as is. It has that 90's paintjob

droy45

I would have to agree with this^

To each his own, but I have painted many bikes with excellent results just like a factory job. It really depends on your skill level. I believe its always worth painting if you just don't like the color or graphics. It doesn't have to need it. Its all part of the enjoyment. Now, you would definitely have to completely strip it down and sandblast it or at least sand it smooth and prime then wet sand again to prepare the surface for paint. Rustoleum in a rattle can is very good quality and does a fabulous job. There are other good name brands out there too. Then spray on a couple thin coats of clear and reassemble. Its alot of work but worth it. I just completed one recently and it can be seen in the Classic and Vintage forum.

scoatw

I just painted over the old paint after giving it a good wash. For a bike like the OP, I wouldn't go to the trouble of all that work. But I do agree with the rough sanding part of your quote. That would probably be a good idea. It would make the paint adhere better.

PartsMan

Sure paint over the bright pink with asphalt/concrete gray and then cover it with reflectors and lights so people can see you.

FenderTL5

A point well taken.
Maybe i should paint it hi-viz yellow.

I'll probably just leave it as is, adding racks and such to make it more utilitarian.

bud16415

I left my paint alone.
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o716/bud16415/KHS1_zps4513915d.jpg

https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o716/bud16415/KHS1987.jpg

https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o716/bud16415/KHSRack.jpg

https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o716/bud16415/KHSFenders.jpg