Repainting my Steel Touring Bike?

[JackRabbitSlims]

Hi all.

I’ve been on the road with my Touring Bike and gear for the better part of the last 3 years.

I’m currently riding the American Continent, but will be returning to NZ for the month of June to take care of some personal stuff and will then return to my Tour starting in Tuktoyaktuk!!

The bike has taken a real battering with a few dings and dents, but the paint work is a real mess....plus I’m sick of the colour and in need of something a little different?
Anyways, I’m gonna strip the bike down when I get home, up grade the drive train from 9 speed to 10 speed and look to get frame and fork re painted in a new colour.

Frame and fork is steel and I’m wondering if anyone out there knows of the correct guidelines or process that needs to take place for this?
I live in a small town and there will not be any specialist bike painters / fabricators there. I’m thinking of just visiting car painters or reapair workshops and ask that they do the work?

Assuming a full sandblasting to remove the original paint and then a new colour applied? Tough, durable and long lasting will be the theme over, shiny, flashy and pretty

Any advice, suggestions, hints, tips or tricks on what needs to happen here would be much appreciated.

Thanks if you can help me out.
Cheers!

 

[42x16ss]

I have done the DIY paint thing before and gotten decent results with stripping, priming, light sanding, then painting and cut and polishing with automotive paint. You do have to be careful of runs though.

I've been hearing good things about spray.bike, their paints and primers are purpose made and people seem to be getting good results.

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Thanks 42.

Yes, I’ve also heard good things about spray.bike, but not available in NZ and cannot be shipped.

I’ve found a guy back home who is happy to do the job (friend of a friend type deal) the only problem now is deciding on a colour and perhaps some sort of custom design?
I’m awful at that sort of stuff, so will probably just sift through the internet looking at paint jobs and designs and copy something that I like.

Cheers.

 

[macbindle]

Just get it powder coated. It'll cost a third of what you would pay for a decent enamel and it will be much much tougher and chip resistant. Good range of colours too.

There are powder coasters everywhere, but because they aren't bike specific make sure you are clear on which parts to leave paint free. (eg forksteerer, BBC thread, fitting threads, seat tube inner etc)

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Re:

Just get it powder coated. It'll cost a third of what you would pay for a decent enamel and it will be much much tougher and chip resistant. Good range of colours too.

There are powder coasters everywhere, but because they aren't bike specific make sure you are clear on which parts to leave paint free. (eg forksteerer, BBC thread, fitting threads, seat tube inner etc)

Thanks for the reply.

I hadn’t considered a powder coat.....maybe “Park Tool” blue like my work stand

I have a guy lined up back home who is more than capable of the job, he’s just finished a mates Series I Landrover rebuilt and painted from scratch. Pretty impressive finish.
Honestly, the main reason for the repaint is that the current job is cut, scratched, chipped all to schitt, and I’m sick of looking at the same bike frame all day, every day.....

I’m thinking of a deep metallic blue....but it has to match my Panniers, seat, socks and eye wear.....right... :lol:

 

[King Boonen]

I got a steel fork for my fixed gear powder-coated (well, the shop I got it through sorted it for me) and it's a smooth, tough finish that I'm very happy with. It's not the thinnest finish in the world but I would think that's a benefit for a steel tourer.

Main point with powdercoat is to make sure they mask off all the threads, or stick bolts in them. You can chase it out once it's finished but I've heard of BBs getting ruined as it's pretty tough stuff.

 

[nevele neves]

Re: Re:

Just get it powder coated. It'll cost a third of what you would pay for a decent enamel and it will be much much tougher and chip resistant. Good range of colours too.

There are powder coasters everywhere, but because they aren't bike specific make sure you are clear on which parts to leave paint free. (eg forksteerer, BBC thread, fitting threads, seat tube inner etc)

Thanks for the reply.

I hadn’t considered a powder coat.....maybe “Park Tool” blue like my work stand

I have a guy lined up back home who is more than capable of the job, he’s just finished a mates Series I Landrover rebuilt and painted from scratch. Pretty impressive finish.
Honestly, the main reason for the repaint is that the current job is cut, scratched, chipped all to schitt, and I’m sick of looking at the same bike frame all day, every day.....

I’m thinking of a deep metallic blue....but it has to match my Panniers, seat, socks and eye wear.....right... :lol:

I like to clash but you have a point about matching.