SeatPost needs a paint job
 

I know it's not a big deal but I would like to paint my seat post.

I recently bought a R/S suspension post and it's an ugly kinda purple (actually it's a nice purple and if the whole bike was that colour it would be nice).

So, I would like to paint it black (No frills),

The post has no scratches or dents etc.

Does anyone know the procedure or if there is anything special I need to do before painting this post (or after painting).

Your help is much appreciated

really you should get it done professionally you could try your lbs and see if they do it, or perhaps the local garage might be able to help you.

If you are really set on doing it yourself then you need to either spend a lot of time sanding all the purple paint off, or get hold of a sand blaster, either way you need to remove all the old paint. Then you need to get hold of a paint gun, and shoot a coat or two of primer, then shoot the colour, depending on whatever paint you use, you may need to apply a clear protective paint over the top, most good quality paints wont need it tho. make sure it dries for a couple of days and aply evenly all youll get cursed drips dried into your paint job.

My advice tho - get somebody professional to do it, ( a seat post isnt very big so it cant cost that much) espeially if you've never used a blaster or paint gun, coz otherwise its just going to look ugly and messy, and youl end up with drips and all sorts, i know iv'e been there and it really looked bad.

Either way good luck :D

Cover it with Stickers

Cheap and Custom! J/K

L8R

I have some blue/grey cranks that would match it!

I suspect that if you paint it, you may end up with problems fitting it properly into the frame. It will be very difficult to do a clean looking paint job on it yourself. If it is anodized, consider removing the anodization and leaving the bare aluminum.

Wow, I didn't think there was so much to this. Well I see I am in way over my head on this one so I will probably put some stickers on it. First I will check around and see how much it would cost to do professional. Thanks guys for your help. I think you all saved me from a disaster.

Electrical tape:D

Slow down. There is no need to sand blast or even sand all the paint off. Paint sticks to paint just fine if there is some "scuffing" or very light scratching of the existing paint. First make sure you have the seat post height adjusted to your liking, including the allen adjustment underneath and any elastomer changes. You want to know the exact height it will be permanently mounted. Mark that height. You will paint everything above that but now below where it clamps. Use some tape to tape off the area below your mark. Get some 600 or maybe even 400 grit sand paper. Dip the paper in water mixed with a light liquid soap and sand the upper portion. You don't have to get all the paint off, just get some light scratches. Dry it off by setting it in the sun, or if you have a compressor blow out all the nooks and crannies. This will simulate the spray can somewhat. You don't want the spray can blowing water out while you paint. Everything must be bone dry. Rub it with a clean cloth to remove dust. Now you're read y to paint.

Tips on painting with spray cans.

Put the paint can in the sun for at least 15 minutes this time of year to warm up the paint. Keep the part in the sun until you are ready to paint. Spray it in two light coats so you don't get any runs.

I've never actually painted a seatpost but I have a 38 year old Falcon Convertible that has needed plenty of parts painted over the years!

Great post CrashTestDummy! :)