N00b question
#27



#29
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia, Canada
Bikes: 2007 Norco CCX xxl
painting a chain?
Sorry, I have no experience with painted chains. I do have a lot of experience with paint and machinery though. If I was going to paint a chain (or a master link), I would clean it well with a solvent (if you don't know what I mean, go to your auto parts store and get some brakeclean), then hang it with lightweight fishing twine at around chest height. Then I would apply three or four light coats of white engine enamel from a spray can. Plasticoat engine enamel or something similair should work well, fairly resistant to oil-based lubricants. Don't worry about the paint messing up the flexibility of the chain - not going to be a factor unless you dip the chain. Follow the instructions on the can about recoat times and give the chain a rest somewhere warm after painting to let the enamel harden up well.
Once you have the chain mounted on the bike, spin the wheel enough times to free up all the links, then use whatever chain lube you are used to. You are going to have to re-paint the chain every so often, depending on how often you use it. If you are confident enough, you should actually be able to touch up the painted chain with it on the bike, make an overspray guard out of cardboard so that no paint gets on the bike, then follow the same process. You will only be able to do a portion of the chain at a time that way, and be careful to use multiple light coats so you don't get drips.
Good luck!
-Ryan McEachern
Once you have the chain mounted on the bike, spin the wheel enough times to free up all the links, then use whatever chain lube you are used to. You are going to have to re-paint the chain every so often, depending on how often you use it. If you are confident enough, you should actually be able to touch up the painted chain with it on the bike, make an overspray guard out of cardboard so that no paint gets on the bike, then follow the same process. You will only be able to do a portion of the chain at a time that way, and be careful to use multiple light coats so you don't get drips.
Good luck!
-Ryan McEachern
#30
ok how about this painted chains are cheap make sure you change them often because your life depends on your chain if you are ride fixed brakeless. think about that when buy cheap stuff.
your chain it the thing that controls everything on your bike the go and the stop.
but really I would think that it would be cheaper to buy a white chain than to go buy paint strip all the grease and oil off of it and paint it.
I'm not a fan of color chains but... if you go work for an hour you can buy a chain or spend 4 hours trying to paint one

bens $7.99
how much is spray paint? about that much.
your chain it the thing that controls everything on your bike the go and the stop.
but really I would think that it would be cheaper to buy a white chain than to go buy paint strip all the grease and oil off of it and paint it.
I'm not a fan of color chains but... if you go work for an hour you can buy a chain or spend 4 hours trying to paint one

bens $7.99
how much is spray paint? about that much.
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Last edited by sniks; 09-27-08 at 10:14 AM.
#31
I will tell you what if you send me you mailing address (PM)I will send you a brand new white color chain. on me.
I'm not joking
I'm not joking
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Last edited by sniks; 09-27-08 at 10:14 AM.
#32
8 Full Hours of Sleep
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
From: Hayward, CA
Bikes: IRO Mark V, Yeti 575, Italvega Nuovo Sport
Alright guys, before I ask I want to say something. Nobody just automatically knows everything about everything. So I'm asking you to please not be smart a**es, and just answer my questions because 1.That's one purpose of a forum, and 2. because it will help me learn.
#33
Kanye West
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
ok how about this painted chains are cheap make sure you change them often because your life depends on your chain if you are ride fixed brakeless. Think about that when buy cheap stuff.
Your chain it the thing that controls everything on your bike the go and the stop.
But really i would think that it would be cheaper to buy a white chain than to go buy paint strip all the grease and oil off of it and paint it.
I'm not a fan of color chains but... If you go work for an hour you can buy a chain or spend 4 hours trying to paint one

bens $7.99
how much is spray paint? About that much.
Your chain it the thing that controls everything on your bike the go and the stop.
But really i would think that it would be cheaper to buy a white chain than to go buy paint strip all the grease and oil off of it and paint it.
I'm not a fan of color chains but... If you go work for an hour you can buy a chain or spend 4 hours trying to paint one

bens $7.99
how much is spray paint? About that much.
#34
Banned.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 1
Bikes: 2009 Surly Steamroller, 19?? Fuji ?, 19?? Univega Viva Sport, Marin/Xtracycle combo
those colored KMC chains are the worst possible chains to use on your fixed gear. well, there may be some other chains that suck as much or more, but these are sold to fixed gear riders. it may look good, but it will wear much faster than you expect, possibly even breaking on a climb (and a broken chain sucks. LOTS).
#35
Bens has some horrible prices on chains.
109 dollars for a vertex?
https://cgi.ebay.com/HKK-NJS-Vertex-S...3286.m20.l1116
109 dollars for a vertex?
https://cgi.ebay.com/HKK-NJS-Vertex-S...3286.m20.l1116
#37
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
Bikes: 1 fixed 1 bmx 1 motorbike
#38
messenger
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: WLA
Bikes: pinarellos and a colnago
I would not paint any chain-- but use a less "popular" chain pattern to be different--
I have seen some very cool "pieced together" chains-- and vintage chains--
I have seen people use everything from chainsaw chains to electric gate chains to make a statement and be unique --- like everybody on BF>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..
I have seen some very cool "pieced together" chains-- and vintage chains--
I have seen people use everything from chainsaw chains to electric gate chains to make a statement and be unique --- like everybody on BF>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..





