Does anyone here hand paint their bikes - and by that I mean with a brush. I'm guessing they must have done once, before spray painting became the norm (when was that?). If so, how do you do it and how good does it look.

Ive always spray-painted myself, but I've only ever done a single colour, never different colours on the lugs, headtube, etc. How do you do it, do you spray the picked out colour first (lug, etc). I guess you do, but so you mask so the edge of the lug is painted as well, and what do you use as a mask?

Also, do you use a laquer coat. I never used to, as Ifound it often clouded (but it was a long time ago).

Well,
first of all, a brush painting job looks cheesy to say the least. I wouldn´t recommended at all, it will look like those "nice" kindergarten drawings some co workers proudly show on the walls of their office. I think spray painting is the only decent way to go, if you are working with several colors, prime the surface and then start with the lightest color, mask whatever you want in that color and after that, apply the second color.

As for the "clouding" effect you describe, it is probably caused by high air humidity. If you are using a spray gun or an airbrush, install a water trap in the hose.

Ricardo

I use what ever is needed. A lettering quill for details, an airbrush for fades & details and a detail spray gun for larger areas, primers & clear coats. I have also used sponges, leaves and even shot a wad of paper towel out of a tube for a blasted effect. Have also used an old paint brushto get a woodgrain effect.
But as far as painting the whole bike with a paintbrush? You're kidding, right?
Might do that to keep some one from STEALING IT!!

Used to use laquer until I found out how worthless it is on a bicycle. switched to automotive type paints and never used laquer again.

Search down the Classic & Vintage threads for other posts about painting. Most have some helpful info.

Not so, brush and roller painting can be done well. It's a bit of a pain, and probably not worth the extra effort, but I have seen cars and scooters painted with a roller that you would never guess weren't done in a spray booth. I'll find a link to the technique later if you're interested.

The trick is to get the paint all on while its wet. As it dries, it will flatten out.
I paint houses too!

My grandfather was a painter and decorator from the 20s to the 50s, and could put a coat of paint on anything that was like glass. he used to paint walls, houses, bedsteads, coal skuttles, you name it, he could paint it. My father said he put it down to good brushes and good paint. I've done some painting in my time, and it's like the good doctor days, get it all on in one coat, with no drips or dust, and it dan look just dandy.

Of course, I'm not advocating that everyone should handpaint their bikes, but I have to say, I don;t think it's a no-no. You just have to have the skill, I guess.

More than anything, I suppose, I was wondering if anyone did handpaint thier old machines, especially the older ones, and I would still be interested in knowing when caommercial spraypainting came in. I have a feeling coachbuilders in the UK at any rate, were still using traditional techiniques into the 20s and 30s.

[QUOTE=Gotte]1) My father said he put it down to good brushes and good paint. I've done some painting in my time, and it's like the good doctor days, get it all on in one coat, with no drips or dust, and it dan look just dandy.

2)Of course, I'm not advocating that everyone should handpaint their bikes, but I have to say, I don;t think it's a no-no. You just have to have the skill, I guess.[QUOTE]

1A) Yes, the best tools/materials can produce an excellent job! And that old lead based paint sure could make for a nice finish!

2A) The BEST tool for the job IS skill. But I think rattle can paint is esier to get a nice finish with than a brush or roller. But again, skill determines the final outcome either way.

My grandfather was a coach finisher back at the turn of the century (20th) and he would literally HAND rub the final finish. Hands must have been like leather!

If you really want to brush paint, the only stuff I'd recommend is Bill Hirsch Engine Enamels (www.hirschauto.com). Made for auto restorations, it's primarily intended for brush use. I have had nice results on engines, and the stuff flows well, but I can't vouch for painting tubes with it. Plus, it's pretty durable, too.
One drawback is the limited color palette. Engines weren't painted any metallics (except Pontiac's light blue, and AMC's turquiose).

My step-dad painted an old tractor hood with a brush and it looks like it was powder coated. He was using International Harvester factory paint. Like was said earlier, you have to put it on thick and wet, so that it flows together. And, using a good brush helps too. Once the paint is on, DON'T try to go back to smooth it out or hit a spot that you missed or pick out the gnat that landed on your freshly painted frame. You have to wait until the coat is dry before you touch it.

My restoration experience comes mainly from the old motorcycles side of things. The best paintjobs I've ever seen were done by Brits in a 6x8 garden shed with no power. These are the guys willing to put 5 coats on by brush and wet sand each one of them. Most people don't have that kind of patience, but if you do, the results can be worth it.

I think your technique needs to be determined by the results you want. Many Brit motorcycle tanks, for example, weren't sprayed or brushed, they were dipped. You can see the drips on the back side of the bottom. You can spray them or brush them but if you want the "original" look, you have to dip them. If you are doing an "original" restoration, you need to find out how they were done in the first place (probably on a rack with a paint gun) and do your best to duplicate that including hanging it from the same place so the missing paint inside the lip of the headstock is exactly the same. The tough thing about something like a bike frame is that you are going to get more paint in some places than others no matter what you do. I guarantee you there is some guy somewhere who knows HOW to paint a Paramount frame so he gets the extra paint in exactly the same places they did at the factory.

If all you want is a nice paint job, get a couple of rattle cans and a sheet and practice on a junk frame first!

first you'll have to find the correct brush.Expect to pay over$200.Then build a frame oven--another $200+ .Get the idea---sam