Advice on getting a frame resprayed

GyatsoLa
GyatsoLa Posts: 667
edited March 2009 in Workshop
I'm hoping to buy soon a new steel frame (Ritchey Breakaway) and shamefully, I'm vain enough that I want it resprayed because I hate the colour and graphics. I'm in Ireland and so far as I can find out there are no bike frame respray specialists here (I don't think I'd trust a 'general' respray or powder coating service), so I will have to get it done by mail. So, a few questions:

1. Can anyone advise on a reputable company? I know there is one in Bristol (I can't recall the name), and I've been looking at Bob Jackson cycles website.

2. I'm a little confused by all the different finishes - straight paint jobs, emanelling, metallics, powder coating, lacquering, etc. Is there any good online guide to which one is best? (The bike is for travelling, so I'll be looking for a good tough finish that can be retouched).

3. Is there any good online source for colour charts? Yes, I'm fussy about how it will turn out! When I google this, all I get are US or German websites....

Comments

  • blakef111
    blakef111 Posts: 374
    try argos cycles, they are usually the best for respray jobs http://www.argoscycles.com/ they even have an online colour chart
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    FWIW the paint on the Ritcheys is pretty poor and thin and not very resilient.
    Argos are expensive - they quoted me for a job once and were the most expensive.
    Bob Jackson's quality isn't brilliant - we were always having problems when I worked in the trade.
    I opted for Atlantic Boulevard on my Colnago - quality and finish is top-notch.
    For cheap 'n' cheerful try Mario Vaz
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Try Mercian Cycles in Derby.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    +1 for Atlantic Boulevard. I've had two frames done by Neil, and both are spot on.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    if the bike is just for 'travelling' then I would get it done locally. Just find a reasonable paint shop that can strip, prepare and provide a good two-pack finish.

    metallics are a pain to re-touch, as is powder coat. Standard wet-spray would be my choice - probably offer the widest range of colours as well. You could also look at stove enamelling, but I'm not sure about the amount of heat applied during the curing process...
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Stove enamelling is fine for a welded steel frame like the Ritchey, it only gets iffy for composites, silver soldering (Reynolds 753) and certain heat treated alloys. A decent frame refinisher will advise.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • GyatsoLa
    GyatsoLa Posts: 667
    Thanks for the advice chaps, I got quick responses from Atlantic Boulevard and Mercian. Mercian are sending me through a colour chart. Both look good, if expensive! I'll also see what Argos can do, they've also been recommended to me. I am tempted by Mercian it seems like they can weld on rack braze-ones, which would be pretty handy.

    Monty Dog, I see from the Ritchey review you have the steel Breakaway. Are you still pleased with it? I want it as a bike to take on long distance buses and flights to do some cyclesportifs and light n'fast credit card touring. The C+ review says the bike is long in the top tube. My current road bike is a 54cm Cannondale with fairly short stems (one bike shop recommended I drop down to 52cm). I'm wondering therefore if I should go for the 52cm one.

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