Fooked paintjob

RupertCommunicator
RupertCommunicator Posts: 734
edited December 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Have done some searches on touching up paint, but I feel my frame may be a little beyond the touch up stage. :shock:

Had my SC Bullit a few years now, and the original black gloss has -

1. Been worn down to aluminium on both sides of the swingarm where my feet rub.
2. Looks matte black.
3. Has loads of deep crash scratches.
4. Is totally scuffed all over due to grit + pressure washer + sponges.

Are there any tips short of a total respray (which I wouldn't do myself)?

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Use a clear adhesive tape to protect. I'd do that immediately on the swing arm before you wear through it!

    Only way you will get that finish back is to have it resprayed I am afraid. powder coating is an option.
  • See what you mean about the clear tape, but my paintjob is miles too far gone for that!

    How do you go about powder coating? Am defo not doing it myself. Had a mate who sprayed his frame once, and it seemed a right arse on for mediocre results.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yeah, home jobs take a lot of time and patience.

    Some car places will do powder coating, but make sure they are versed in doing bike frames. The frame will be blasted, treated and coated, and frame tubes are thin. There is a place in Newcastle called Bettablast who has its fans and will do frames from about 35 quid.
  • Time and patience. Something that I have none and little of respectively.

    This Bettablast place, is that a gloss coated finish or a matt powder finish? Not arsed either way, although a matt black finish would be badass! My parents are from up that way, so I might be inclined to pay this place a visit over Xmas.

    Oh, what do you mean by frame tubes are thin?

    And also, what state can I take my frame in? Obviously it would need to be devoid of all components, but is that going as far as taking out the headset?

    Would I need to alcohol clean the frame, or will the blasting sort all the dirt and grease out?

    Ta.
  • Shorty12
    Shorty12 Posts: 478
    Blasting it to hard will go through the frame so you have to be careful not to brake it
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yeah, most car places are used to doing solid parts, so the sand or bead blast can be harsh.

    Most frames will have to be stripped, headset removed, and threads/pivot points masked. Best to give them a ring.
  • Still sounds like alot of work!

    Points to be masked-

    1. Bottom Bracket
    2. Shock mounts
    3. Head tube top and bottom
    4. Mech hanger (?)
    5. Caliper mounts
    5. Top of seat tube

    Would I need to mask the open tube ends completely? How would I do this? Gaffer tape? Can I pay for someone to do it for me?

    Again, haven't got much time, quite a busy job and I reckon stripping, masking and re-assembling my bike would write off a day of my Xmas holiday!

    Is there no magic stuff in a tube that will mkae my frame happy again? :wink:
  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872

    Is there no magic stuff in a tube that will mkae my frame happy again? :wink:

    Yer, CASH
    My Pics !


    Whadda ya mean I dont believe in god?
    I talk to him everyday....
  • P-Jay
    P-Jay Posts: 1,478
    There's a place Bristol way called Argos, belive it or not that's set up specifically to do bikes. I'm sure it's about £100 for a frame, including striping and priming.
  • Bristols a bit far away though...

    Idealy they would clean and mask my frame for me. Just give them a frame stripped of components and it gets returned the finished article.

    Even better, they take my bike apart and put it together again! Ultimate easiness!