DIY cheapie paint job

bice

I have a foul-coloured hybrid (Raleigh, steeel frame, value £40) that I use for some commuting. I was thinking of just respraying with car paint aerosols masking stuff as best I can but removing virtually nothing from the bike.

Any tips on paint etc. Frankly, I'd do it with a brush to change the colour.

term1te

Hi, I re-sprayed an old frame once with car paint from halfords. Strip everything from the frame go over it with some wire wool, pay special attention to any areas of rust and make sure you remove it all. I didn't remove all the paint, just the bits that weren't sound. Then wipe it down with white spirit to remove any grease, dust, etc. I then hung the frame up and sprayed it first with white paint all over, and then a second coat of coloured paint to give a white at the front going into fluorescent yellow at the back effect (I was young and impressionable at the time).

I got a surprisingly good finish. I think the trick is to get the frame really clean to start with and not get too close with the spray, to prevent drips building up.

redvee

Putting in the oven to cure tha paint after helps a good paint job, though not the same time as the sunday roast

bice

Thanks for that. I reckon I will have to take the chain set off, but will leave brakes and cables. I reckon if I give them a thin coat of oil before spraying and wide off afterwards, It should work OK (?)

whyamihere

No, take everything off. If you don't, you'll end up with paint clogged cables/mechs/brakes, which will cost a lot more to replace than the effort to remove and replace them is worth. Strip it down entirely.

Steve I

Yeah, strip it down completely including the headset cups and bottom bracket, otherwise it'll look crap. I used to paint frames regularly as a teenager in the 70's. I used to get remarkably good results with Humbrol enamel paints and hand painting. You need a really good quality artists brush for this. If done properly no brush marks can be seen. In some respects the results are better than spraying with car aerosol paint as the enamel paint goes on a bit thicker and hides imperfections that show clearly through a spray can finish. You could practice on the fork first.

cee

smoothrite it!

cougie

For all the hassle - I'd get a one colour job from a resprayer - the bike will look brand new.

will3

Aerosol car paints do tend to be very soft these days and mark easily. Radiato enamel is better if you want a spray on finish, but only in white.

bice

Thanks for these. I've no problem stripping the bike down and reassembling, but it might be a point to get someone to re-spray it for me, especially if car paints are a bit soft and it gets scuffed up quickly. Any thoughts for a respray in London SW? Presumably not just a car place?

marmitecp

Just get it powder coated, cheap and tough.

Google powder coating and your area. Should be around £20-25