Bikes become scratched up and begin looking pretty ragged. Luckily, it is not too hard to provide them with a brand-new paint job. Only a couple tools, spray paint, and a little bit of time. It is all worthwhile, also, since the outcomes make the bike look better.
Start Stripping the Bike
So, everything that is connected to the framework should come off. To get off these, you may need:
- chain tool
- Socket wrench
- Crescent wrench
- And for painting, you’ll need some spray paint and clear coat. I used:
- Blue Krylon Dual
- Krylon Clear Coat
With those tools, go to it
The enjoyable thing about bicycles is that whatever you want to eliminate is reasonably apparent. Can there be a hole for an Allen wrench? Use the socket wrench to remove the crank arms, then the crescent wrench to the front fork, along with the string tool for your bicycle chain.
If you are new to this, make sure you listen to all of the components you pull off since you will want to place them back later. Additionally, be certain that you thoroughly keep each the pieces off. Eliminating a few tiny pieces on the way is easy.
Completely remove any items you don't want to be painted, such as the bottom bracket or forks. Areas of the frame with threads for bolts can either be covered with painter's tape, or the bolts can be put in, (you don't want paint preventing you from putting it back together).
- The headset region (in which the handlebars and forks attach to the framework) is rather complicated. You must take notes and images of the way the components were aligned if you take them out so that it is possible to get them back correctly. The cups which are pressed to the framework ought to be eliminated to paint the bicycle. Think about taking your structure to a bike store for this last measure of this breakdown. They ought to have the ability to eliminate them on the place at no cost or very affordable.
- Also, purchase some bicycle-specific dirt and use your hands to apply to the bearings and inner mechanics this is going to ensure smooth functioning and protect these components from wear.
Degrease the bicycle. Using bicycle degreaser or automobile body wipe is possible.
Eliminate each the present paint using medium-grade sandpaper or sponge (80 grit) to make a smooth coating. See Tips for different choices.
If you're fortunate enough to have a carbon framework, ensure you don't sand carbon dioxide. You might need to leave a few of this paint in place.
- When there aren't any scratches or wear marks that you would like to fill, this is the opportunity to perform it. It's possible to utilize knifing putty or something very similar to make a smooth coating. Be certain you sand it down nicely then and take out the dust.
Hang the bicycle by the head tube to make certain your paint doesn't clog up in the base mount. Hang it in a region that you've got great accessibility to (a clothesline is ideal,) since you'll have to have the ability to move round the entire bicycle and under it, also. Additionally, be certain that you hang your bicycle in a well-ventilated place, with great light to check you've implemented an even coating.
Employ a primer with quite thin coats to give the very best finish. Follow the directions on the can (frequently spray about 20cm in the outside). Begin at the bottom and joints bracket at the framework. These are the toughest pieces to paint and the most comfortable places to have runs or overlook a place. Wait approximately 15 minutes between coats, and do not be concerned about it if you do not adequately cover the framework in the second or first coating since you'll be applying several coats.
- Be sure that you purchase the ideal sort of primer since the color of the primer is dependent upon what your final color will be.
- If you're refurbishing an aluminum frame, you might want to acquire a primer or a thalidomide coating, which guarantees that the pores from the aluminum don't impact the end.
- When priming the bicycle, particularly if you're outside, wear a mouth mask.
Permit the framework to dry for approximately 24 hours. Attempt to let it dry at the area you painted it. If that isn't feasible, place it carefully on papers, and try not to touch it, because the paint is easily damaged.
The sand the primer with 220-grit paper/sponge. You intend to reach a smooth surface to which another layer of paint can stick to.
Once more, ensure that your bicycle is composed of dust as well as any grease. To use the color, follow the very same steps as you did to your primer, ensuring that you apply thin coats till you've got a true end. Should you would like to paint the framework in numerous colors, you use the lighter paint applying till a smooth coating is attained (4 or 3 coats), then the mask above the region you want to stay the light shade and paint the darker color on.
When trimming with all the 1200-grit sandpaper, be sure to "wet-sand" the end. This retains the sandpaper out of "loading." Wet-sand by simply taking a few and spraying on the Windex on the paint and then sand. Ensure that you maintain the end "moist" while you are trimming. All you're attempting to do would be to take the gloss off the paint making a matte finish for your lacquer to abide by. The lacquer is likely to produce the color shiny.
Place stickers or stickers on your bicycle (optional). The lacquer which you put on then will shield the decals nonetheless, if you don't have thin decals, it's not likely you'll find an entirely smooth surface. If you would like to get stickers, check out on the internet since there are lots of replica stickers for significant bicycle manufacturers.
Use the crystal-clear lacquer in precisely the same manner since you painted the bicycle nonetheless, this time you might have to wear two or three coats. It's critical, particularly at this stage, you don't have the spray may also far away from the surface because you might get a sturdy surface.
Finish the repainting of your bicycle by following the steps to your framework together with the forks or some other part.