how do you paint a bike>?

Answer 1

I will show you how to take an old bike frame and paint it, producing a professional-looking finish. This is the best way to get a good bike frame for cheap.
Steps

1. First, take off or tape over any items you don't want painted, for example the bottom bracket or forks. Now you must completely degrease the bike. You can use bike degreaser or Methanol, after which you must make sure you rinse down the frame.
2. Next, get medium grade sandpaper or rough sponge (80 grit) and remove all the existing paint, to form a smooth surface. If you are lucky enough to have a carbon frame, make sure that you do not sand the carbon. In such a case, you may not be able to remove all the paint (like on my bike). If there are any dents or wear marks which you want to fill in, this is the time to do it. You can use knifing putty or something similar to produce a smooth surface. Make sure that you sand it down well afterwards, and remove the dust.
3. Next, add a primer (I bought all my paint from Halfords, though other paints work well too). Look at warnings for specifics about primer paint before you proceed. Now hang the bike (check the tips for instructions to do this), read the instructions on the can on how to apply the paint (typically spray about 20cm from the surface). Try to apply very thin coats as this will provide the best finish. I would suggest you start at the joints and bottom brackect in the frame, as these are the hardest bits to paint, and the easiest places to get runs or miss a spot. Wait about 15 minutes between coats, and don't worry about it if you don't fully cover the frame in the first or second coat, as you will be applying several coats.
4. After you finish priming the frame, allow it to dry for about 24 hours. Try to let it dry in the place you painted it. If this is not possible, lay it carefully on newspapers, and try not to touch it, as the paint is easily destroyed.
5. After 24 hours you can sand the primer using 220-grit paper/sponge. You aim to achieve a smooth surface which the next layer of paint can adhere to.
6. Now you are ready to put on your main coat of paint. Once again, make sure your bike is clean of dust and any grease. To apply the colour, follow the same steps as you did for the primer, ensuring you apply thin coats until you have a uniform finish. If you wish to paint the frame in multiple colours you simply apply the lighter paint first, applying till an even coat is achieved (3 or 4 coats), then mask over the area you wish to remain the light colour, and paint the darker colour on. However, for my bike, I just used a different colour on the forks to keep it simple.
7. After the paint dries, you will have to sand it down again, this time using 1200-grit paper/sponge. When sanding all you want to do is to take the gloss off the paint producing a matte finish for the lacquer to stick to.
8. If you wish to put any sticker/decals on your bike, this is the time to do it- just before you lacquer the frame. This will protect the stickers; however, unless you have very thin stickers, it is unlikely you will get a completely smooth surface. If you want to buy decals, have a look on ebay, as there are many replica decals for major bike manufacturers.
9. Now applying the clear lacquer is the same as all the painting steps before; however, this time you may only need to put on 2 or 3 coats. It is important, especially at this stage, that you do not have the spray can too far from the surface as you could end up with a rough surface.
10. Complete the repainting of your bike (the steps for the frame are the same for the forks or any other part); however, you need to allow the lacquer to harden for at least a week before putting the bike together, as otherwise you'd damage your beautiful new paint job.


Tips

* If you can't be bothered sanding your bike down to the metal you can always find a sandblaster to do it for you, but make sure they know what they are doing or they could destroy your frame.
* Hang your bike by the head tube to ensure that your paint does not clog up at the bottom bracket. I was enlightened to this fact sadly after I put on the primer. I used a coat hanger to hang my bike, but you can use anything.
* Ensure that you pick an area to hang your bike that you have good access to, as you will need to be able to move around the whole bike and underneath it too.
* Make sure you hang your bike in a well ventilated area, where there is a good source of light as it will help in checking you have covered the bike with an even coat.


Warnings

* Make sure you buy the right type of primer, as the colour of the primer depends on what your final colour will be. Halfords have instructions in-store, which was very helpful for me.
* If you are refurbishing an Aluminium frame you may need to get a special primer, I believe it is an alomide coating, which ensures that the pores in the Aluminium does not effect the finish.
* When Priming the bike I would suggest especially if you are outside to wear goggles and a mouth mask, as it is not a nice feeling to have paint fly into your eyes whenever a gust of wind comes. Also wear gloves, because some paints strip your skin, as I found out shortly after I began painting my bike, and believe me it takes along time for the skin to come back.
* Do not mix different paint manufacturers (be that for primer, primary paint and laquer) inless you have knoledge that they are compatible. This is because the 2 types of paint may react as I sadly found out when I painted my forks, and they were destroyed.
* Make sure that even 24 hours after painting that you do not lay your frame on a carpet or put it in clamp etc. as this will distort the paint as the paint is still very soft and will be imprinted with the pattern in the carpet, for example.


Things You'll Need

* A bicycle to paint.
* Some basic hand tools to disassemble the bicycle (wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.).
* Sandpaper/sponge (80 grit, 220 grit and 1200 grit).
* Razor blade (helps when removing old decals, if present)
* Masking tape, to cover up certain areas if you are applying different colours.
* A piece of stiff wire to hang up the bicycle with
* Primer (about 2 cans for a large bike).
* Paint of desired color (again about 2 cans for a large bike).
* Clear laqeur coat, one can should do.
* A clean, well-lit place to work, with good ventilation (remember: don't destroy your skin, lungs and eyes over a bike).

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Painting a bike is easy. Painting a bike well is very hard. Is this a good bike or just a beater? The proper thing to do would be to take off all of the parts and spray the frame. Problem there is that spray cans leave drip marks and orange peel. Autobody shops will do a nice job for you as long as you do the prep work. See if you can have one hook you up. If this is a very high end bike, I'd suggest a bike specific painter. There are some really good ones, but it's fairly pricey.

Answer 3

This isn't a job for a weekend and a six pack of beer if you want to do it right....

You will need the following:

-Bike frame and fork stripped of all parts, then sandblasted (if steel) or glass beaded (if aluminum)
- 3 tack rags
- 2 large cans of Duplicolor sandable grey primer available from auto parts stores
- 1 large can of Duplicolor white lacquer or appropriate basecoat for the color you want
- 1 large can of Duplicolor color lacquer
- 3 large cans of clear gloss lacquer
- 1 or 2 sheets of 220 "wet or dry" sandpaper
- 1 or 2 sheets of 600 grit wet or dry

1. Hang up the bike in a well ventilated area protected from wind and rain so you can get to all areas of the frame. Unfold, then "bunch up" a tack rag and wipe down the entire frame. Do NOT touch the frame once this has been done. If you can, use compressed air to blow off the frame before painting. Wet the floor in the area where you paint to keep the dust down.

2. Following the directions on the cans, apply ALL the primer. Runs at this point are not catastrophic. Wait 48 hours.

3. Sand the frame with 220 grit (dry paper). Make sure to remove any runs or drips carefully. If you sand through the primer it is OK. Wipe down the frame with an old clean T shirt, then with a new tack rag as step 1 above. Do NOT rub hard with the tack rag or you'll mess up the paint.

4. Following the directions on the can, apply the white lacquer (or basecoat), wait NO MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, then apply the color coat. Avoid runs and drips... nice light coats every 10 minutes is great timing. Wait 48 hours.

5. Sand the entire frame with 600 grit wet paper. Tear the paper in thirds and allow it to soak in water for at least 10 minutes before starting. Be extremely careful not to sand through the color or you'll need to recoat. Allow the frame to dry for at least a couple of hours, then wipe the dried "slurry" off with an old t shirt, and wipe down again with another new tack rag.

6. Apply all of the clear coat according to can directions. Wait at LEAST 5 days. If desired, you can wet sand with 800 and 1000 grit wet sandpaper and then use a good buffing compound to make it super smooth and glossy, or you can reassemble the bike.

Want to save time and money? Have the frame sandblasted/glass beaded, then take it immediately to an autobody shop. If you're lucky you can get it sprayed along with a car that is being painted the same color or maybe give someone $50 to do it on their lunch break. Make sure that primer is put on the frame within 12 hours of blasting whether you do it or a shop does it.

Answer 4

Be prepared to be questioned by the cops.

A painted bike is often the sign of a stolen bike.

Answer 5

You don't, you send it out for powder coating or to be painted by the pros. It's much nicer and a lot less stressful for you!!!

Info on powder coating:
http://www.powdercoating.org/home.htm

The BEST Powder Coaters:
Color Factory
23 Main St
Waretown, NJ 08758View Map
609-242-0665

Other Powder Coaters who have websites:
http://www.andersoncustombicycles.com/new_page_2.htm
http://www.loomispowdercoating.com/files/bicyclegallery.html

Answer 6

If I could get someone to do the painting then yes that might be a possibility.

Answer 7

whith green house paint using one of those house painter spray things.

Answer 8

i think your supposed to sand it first then paint it