what is the best way to paint my bike?

Question

I want to paint my bike frame. It must be durable and not chip or flake off. I put it through a lot of abuse.

Answer 1

The best way to do this, unless you are experienced with refinishing, is to take the bike COMPLETELY apart... all the parts, drive out all the bearing cups, everything that isn't painted to begin with, then have the frame sandblasted (or blasted with walnut shell if it is aluminum) and take it to an auto body shop. Once the frame is blasted it MUST be primered almost immediately or it will start to rust in hours. Someone at the shop will likely paint it for you pretty cheap.

If you want to try it yourself with spray cans, do this:
First, you shouldn't use ENAMEL unless you have it professionally applied and baked on. Spray cans are formulated to be used in a wide range of temperatures and humidities so they never dry "just right". Even if you got fancy with some tin foil and spotlights you would probably only end up with an even softer finish.

Here is a quick (sort of) process to follow:

1) After completely disassembling the bike have it sandblasted to remove ALL the finish.
2) Spray it as soon as possible with grey sandable lacquer primer. Duplicolor paint is all lacquer, I think, and you can get it from your local autoparts store. Buy the BIG cans, not the small ones. Apply at least 3 coats, 1/2 hour apart. Don't worry about light runs for now.
3) Wait at least 48 hours. Sand the primer using 220 grit aluminum oxide paper (white in color) until the surface is smooth. It shouldn't take much unless you have a lot of runs.
4) Using a tack rag, lightly go over the entire frame (don't rub!) to remove the sanding dust.
5) Apply several light coats (6 or 7 perhaps) of the color of your choice. Follow the directions on the can. Again, use LACQUER, the same brand that you used for primer. Apply coats 1/2 hour apart. Be sure you cover every part and do NOT get runs. If you get runs you are applying it too heavily.
6) Apply the LACQUER clear cost, perhaps 6 coats.
7) Let the frame alone until you can't smell the paint anymore when you get up close and take a big whiff. If you can smell it, it ain't dry! This will take 2 to 3 days at least.
8) Using white paste polishing compound, follow the directions and polish out the whole frame.
9) Do NOT wax or wash for at least 10 days.

If you rush this you will end up with a sloppy mess and you'll kick yourself for ever trying. However, if you take your time and do it right it'll be a very cool feeling.

Answer 2

More easy said than done ! I tried doing it myself once, and got poor results. You'll have to take the bike apart down to the frame. And that's ALOT of work. You then have to sand down the old paint. If there's chips you may need to use paint remover to strip it down to bare metal. Depends on what your frame is made of....Primer the frame first. Problem is you can't get the same results at home because they use high heat lights to cure the paint when it's painted for the first time. That's why the paint is so hard. You may try talking to someone at your local bike shop. If you've never done this before, I would'nt advise anyone to try. I did and was very unhappy with the results,and I've painted many other things before.Just not a bike frame.

Answer 3

A powder coating keep could be waiting to color a bike physique and fork for $50-$a hundred and fifty... that often includes sand blasting. ($seventy 5 for the two at a million keep right here). in case you're doing it your self i could propose sanding (gently at a minimum to get the gloss end off). then you relatively want a stable primer. Sand it with a "large" sand paper earlier the colour is painted. some paints have a gloss end... or you may upload diverse *skinny* layers of gloss to grant it the two an quite deep and stable end. additionally i elect to propose watching epoxy paints... they're very stable and could be touched up.

Answer 4

you should first sand down the frame because the new paint will not stick to smooth surfaces. then you might want to use huge cans of spray paint or air brush to paint the frame. after you finnish painting let it dry for at least 10 hours or untill completely dry and then sand abit of the paint off (so that there are lots of scratches where the next layer will be able to grab onto) apply atleast three coats and then after u finnish let the paint dry under heat and you might want to try to coat it with a layer of clear rubber(although i ahve never see any one do that)the rubber will protect the paint from scratched.

Answer 5

there are a few good ways to paint your bike. spray paint probably works best and you have many color options. just make sure that you put tape over the areas that you don't want paint to go on.

Answer 6

the best way to paint your frame would be to powder coat it, but you need to have access to the equipment.

my friend sand blasted his frame, then painted it then applied five layers of clear coat. Its worked well so far... but still the best way is to powder coat your bike.

Answer 7

spray paint works as liquid paints do. it doesnt flake off,it just fades away but in a long span of time. try it.

Answer 8

just fall all paint in your container over your bike