Cannondale F800 + Lefty *now up for sale*

ry1978

Advertised in the classified section 20/1/2013
viewtopic.php?f=40089&t=12900909

I caught the refurbing bug after stripping, painting and re-building the Stumpjumper a few months ago. So I decided that my Cannondale hardtail, which has been being used on-road with slicks for the past year, could have the same pampering treatment!

This is how it looked a couple of years ago, It's a 2002 F800 which had seen better days. It looks ok in this pic but up close it was a bit rough...


Last week I set about stripping the components and rubbing down the frame. At the same time a gave everything a thorough check, underneath the scratches and scuffs the frame has stood the test of time really well.
primed and the base colour applied (all done by hand with spray cans from Halfords.)



masked up for the secondary colour...



masking removed and ready for vinyl decals made by me as well...



laquer applied over decals



and I have started building her up tonight...






I'm going to put my rocket rons on instead of the slicks for the winter.

Hoping to get the build finished before christmas, I need to pick up new gear cables and a chain then get out and ride!

70\ʹspenguin

That's really nice! Love that colour! Gold seat-clamp spoils it for me (not a gold fan), but will look great with the Rons on! Bike-discount.de have the new ones going cheap!

The Northern Monkey

Fair play, thats a bloody good spray can job!

Anonymous

That's very nice rattle can job similar blue to my old F700

pastey_boy

Phenomenal effort.

booyaka

indeed - excellent paint job!

fat_homer

Very impressive, must have taken a while? Nice colours as well

Torres

That looks absolutely fantastic sir! Top effort. Any tips?

ry1978

Cheers for the comments, as for tips I would say that taking your time and being patient are the main things. It took me a week to get to the stage you see here...

strip down, degrease and clean
mask faced surfaces such as bottom brackets, headsets and disc mounts. Make sure this is done right!
key surface using wet and dry (400 grit then 1000 grit)
2 coats of primer, be patient and build it up thinly! 24 hours to dry in a warm room
2 coats of base colour, I used two 600ml cans of blue - 24 hours to dry
Mask off areas to remain blue using masking take, vinyl lettering and bin bags for large areas!
Apply 2 coats top coat colour (1 x 600ml can of white)
Allow 24 hours to dry then un mask, clean up any glue residue from vinyl and tape.
Apply decals
Apply 2 coats of clear lacquer, 24 hours drying time
Unmask bottom bracket etc.

Stand back and admire your handiwork!!!

The key really is bulding up light coats or it will run and look un-even

ry1978

Just noticed my blue lefty decals have arrived in the post...ever closer to completion!

MountainMonster

I am so envious of people who can spray things well, I have tried numerous things and they never end up looking like that! Lovely looking bike.

leaflite

Lovely paintjob!

ry1978

A few updates...
Added the Rocket Rons, pedals and blue Lefty decals (not a perfect colour match, but close enough )

Anonymous

I like that looks nice well done.

ry1978

This is now for sale in the classifieds, if anyone's interested drop me a PM...