Anyone know a good frame painter?

motdoc
motdoc Posts: 97
edited May 2008 in Workshop
Like what it says in the subject: south west, or london best but anywhere ok!

Thanks

:D
Arrrrr I be in Devon.

Comments

  • proto
    proto Posts: 1,483
    Mario Vaz

    Vaz Finishers
    25 Mallett Road
    London
    SE13 6SP

    020 8852 0711

    He's been at it a long time (formerly in house sprayer/finisher at Holdsworth).
    Excellent quality, very fair prices (about 1/2 of Argos) and a really nice bloke.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,550
    If you do a google search on Vaz you'll see a lot of comments about the lack of quality I'm afraid.

    Argos are based in Bristol so are probably your best bet locally.

    I've used Atlantic Boulevard in the past after a recommendation on the C+ forum. They did a superb job for me and even arranging collection and delivery of my frame for £30. I'd use them again.
  • aya604
    aya604 Posts: 67
    Duraspray at Mitcham did a great single colour job for me for £20
  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    Mercian in Derby have always done a good job. The finishes on my Mercian frames have lasted and lasted.

    Geoff
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • spin-cycle
    spin-cycle Posts: 395
    aya604 wrote:
    Duraspray at Mitcham did a great single colour job for me for £20

    Where are they?

    Spin
  • aya604
    aya604 Posts: 67
    spin-cycle wrote:
    aya604 wrote:
    Duraspray at Mitcham did a great single colour job for me for £20

    Where are they?

    Spin

    Its hard to find (and hard to explain)!

    There is a big industrial estate outside Mitchem on the south I think. Its near there but on the opposite side of the road by the side of the river?

    I struggled to find it but got directions from a shop in Mitcham that sells motor bikes.

    cheers
  • spin-cycle
    spin-cycle Posts: 395
    Sounds like Willow Lane, its near the Wandle river. I'll have a look around, thanks.

    Spin
  • terongi
    terongi Posts: 318
    Mario Vaz (see above) is superb local to you and low price.
  • toontra
    toontra Posts: 1,160
    terongi wrote:
    Mario Vaz (see above) is superb local to you and low price.

    Have to agree. BTW, I did a Google search as the above poster suggested and found one post on a forum saying they weren't overly happy with a Vaz spray job. Wow. On that basis I think every business in the country could be slated.

    Mario has done three jobs for me. Each about half the price than a bigger name would charge, and with all 3 the finish was perfect. That's better recommendation that an anonymous internet post I would have thought.

    What I like about going to Mario is that you actually hand the part over to him personally - he'll be doing the finish so you can make absolutely sure he knows what you want. I've asked for weird things like semi-mat finishes, meaning he has to mix mat and gloss paint - no problem!

    He's also very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about bikes in general, and has told me things about my retro frames that I didn't know.

    All in all a jolly nice chap!

    PS He also has a relative that will do metalwork (e.g. frame repairs, braze-ons, etc).

    a serious case of small cogs
  • cannyscott
    cannyscott Posts: 41
    i am a sprayer myself and cant understand how these companys can charge so little for a proper paint job on a frame . the only comment i can make is that in my experience you get what you pay for . you should ask questions such as if the frame is properly stripped before spraying and if a good quality paint is used as cheap paints can have a very short life span.also be aware that a frame can look great when picked up from the shop but paint shrinks alot over time and can look bad in just a couple of weeks.that is not to say some of these companys will not do a good job im just saying ask the right questions hope this helps
  • aya604
    aya604 Posts: 67
    cannyscott wrote:
    i am a sprayer myself and cant understand how these companys can charge so little for a proper paint job on a frame . the only comment i can make is that in my experience you get what you pay for . you should ask questions such as if the frame is properly stripped before spraying and if a good quality paint is used as cheap paints can have a very short life span.also be aware that a frame can look great when picked up from the shop but paint shrinks alot over time and can look bad in just a couple of weeks.that is not to say some of these companys will not do a good job im just saying ask the right questions hope this helps

    I was very surprised they charge so little - and so were anyone I told and saw the bike - but 20 months on with the bike spending a lot of time outside and it still looks as good as the day it was done.

    cheers
  • proto
    proto Posts: 1,483
    toontra wrote:
    terongi wrote:
    PS He also has a relative that will do metalwork (e.g. frame repairs, braze-ons, etc).

    His brother is a frame builder for a well known and highly regarded south London frame builder. So if you want stops removing, ends changed, bosses added etc, then Mario is your man, or his brother is at least! :D

    He did this conversion for me: shot blast, swap road ends to track ends, remove cable stops and guides, repaint, lug lining, decals and lacquer - £160 the lot, plus carriage

    http://fixedgeargallery.com/2008/feb/3/TimOsborne.htm
  • riderchick
    riderchick Posts: 1
    I know this site that has a lot of info on good painters:

    http://www.myprimebuyersguide.com/listi ... afael.html

    There's also information on the specialties of each one to help you find the best painting contractor in your area.
  • tatankainlondon
    tatankainlondon Posts: 68
    Hi,
    I need to do some quality powdercoating job on my yeti 303 frame to have the following effect:

    yeti303drawing-verysmall.jpg

    I wonder whether Mario would be able to do this. I will try to visit them next week to discuss, but comments would be nice.
    We are only looking at the front triangle of the frame. the rear one is just polised aluminium so there in no need for powdercoating.

    Thanks

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