Need help with bike painting!!!!?

Question

I have a road-bike from the early 90's, it's a Giant. I need some advice on how to paint the bike since the color is faded and flaking. I know you first have to sand it down, but I really don't know what to do after that. (last option) My friends dad knows how to do it, but i've only seen a bike he painted flat black (spray-pain but he uses something else and it looks pretty good). I'd like someone to tell me the process used to paint a bike and also what are some good shades of blue, green, yellow and other colors that might look good with black? is there a place where you could get graphic stickers of the bike model, such as giant so I can replace the faded old Giant lettering. Getting it painted professional would probably be my last option, but how much do they usually charge? (I'd like to know as much as I can, things like where to get the paint that would be best, Thanks.)

Answer 1

my idea would be go see a body shop that paints cars.

you prepare it for painting and when they paint a car of color you like they spray your bike.

you offer to help pick up things/sweep the floor. etc in exchange

Answer 2

Duh, ask you friends dad.

(last option) My friends dad knows how to do it, but i've only seen a bike he painted flat black (spray-pain but he uses something else and it looks pretty good).

Answer 3

If the paint is peeling or chipped you need to take the finish COMPLETELY off. This is a sure sign of poor adhesion and will just cause the new paint to come off too.

The best place to TRY and get Giant decals is from a dealer. Most shops will not supply them without actually seeing the bike, and the company may not provide them.

Black goes with everything. If you don't like the idea of visiting a local auto body shop, here are simplified insructions...

Here is a quick explanation of what to do...

1) After completely disassembling the bike have it sandblasted to remove ALL the finish. If the frame is aluminum, it should be walnut shell blasted, or you can chemically strip the paint.

2) Spray it as soon as possible with grey SANDABLE lacquer primer. DUPLICOLOR brand paint is all lacquer, I think, and you can get it from your local autoparts store. Buy the BIG cans, not the small ones. Apply at least 1 full can, in coats, 15 minutes apart. Don't worry about light runs for now.

3) Wait at least 48 hours. There is a difference between dry paint and cured paint... it needs to be cured. Sand the primer using 220 grit aluminum oxide paper (white in color) until the surface is smooth. It shouldn't take much unless you have a lot of runs.

4) Using a tack rag, lightly go over the entire frame (don't rub!) to remove the sanding dust.

5) Apply several light coats (3 or 4 perhaps) of the color of your choice. Make sure the frame is completely covered. Follow the directions on the can. Again, use LACQUER, the same brand that you used for primer. Apply coats 1/2 hour apart. Be sure you cover every part and do NOT get runs. If you get runs you are applying it too heavily.

6) Do NOT sand the color coats. Apply the LACQUER clear coats, perhaps 2 full cans worth, coats 15 minutes apart..

7) Let the frame alone until you can't smell the paint anymore when you get up close and take a big whiff. If you can smell it, it ain't dry! This will take 2 to 3 days at least.

8) Wet sand the entire frame CAREFULLY with 800 grit, then 1000 grit sandpaper. Make sure to keep the paper wet and to wipe away the white slurry that forms. If you start to see the color in the slurry, STOP! You have sanded too hard and reached the color coats. Repeat steps 5, 6, and 7, then try again. Don't try to "touch up" the area, it will look terrible.

9) Using white paste polishing compound, follow the directions and polish out the whole frame.

10) Do NOT wax or wash for at least 10 days.

If you rush this you will end up with a sloppy mess and you'll kick yourself for ever trying. However, if you take your time and do it right it'll be a very cool feeling.