Airbrushing/Spray painting

platypus

platypus

platypus

Caporegime
Joined
25 Jul 2003
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FR+UK
I'm going to be painting two bicycle frames this weekend, and will probably opt to spray them.

Looking for a cheap spray kit, but obviously not too cheap. I've seem some model kit air brushes that look ok, but the paint capacity isn't really big enough. Conversely I don't really want to buy a spray kit big enough for a car.

I know there are some knowledgeable people on here that do this kind of thing, so advice please!

On the other hand, I suppose I could paint them with a brush, but not really sure about the kind of finish I'd get.

Hmm someone here has suggested getting radiator paint (I'm planning on white) and just brushing on as it's designed to settle out.
 
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Why not just use cans of spray paint? one can should be enough for a large frame bike.

And using brushes, you'll get "go faster" stripes :D
 
Well using brushes you have to be careful it's true, but you can get a decent finish.

I was warned away from spray cans by someone who does it regularly - mind he does have his own airgun kit so probably thinks they're rubbish in comparison.
 
I resprayed 2 old mountain bikes last summer, 2 cans of spray paint and some clear lacquer for the final coat.

Did a good enough job for me.

Just make sure you don't get too close as you will get runs, better to be further away and take several passes to cover it. Build it up slowly. If you want a perfect finish you can always use some wet&dry paper in between coats to help keep it all smooth but that's a bit overkill imho.
 
Ok Harvey, leaning towards that anyway due to cost (trying to build a fixed gear bike for <£200).

Did you not use any primer (I'm stripping the frames first so will prime them anyway)? Any recommendations on spray paint, or will the cans from Halfords do the job? Spray lacquer or paint on?
 
Platypus, have you got the rest of the stuff for your fixie yet? Apparently stuff like the single chainring and fixed gear hubs are fairly hard to come by. There some guys in Cambridge called the Bicycle Ambulance who regularly put fixed gears together and supply a lot of the rarer components:

http://bicycleambulance.com/fixedgear.html
 
p4radox said:
Platypus, have you got the rest of the stuff for your fixie yet? Apparently stuff like the single chainring and fixed gear hubs are fairly hard to come by. There some guys in Cambridge called the Bicycle Ambulance who regularly put fixed gears together and supply a lot of the rarer components:

http://bicycleambulance.com/fixedgear.html
Click to expand...

You can use any hub, you just need a single ring you can pick up anywhere -

Get spares from here http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

As for painting, sand it down to bare metal, 2 coats of primer, a few coats of the paint then as much lacquer as the can will allow, get it all from halfords or somthing it will be fine.
 
Oooh that is a nice link p4radox, thanks.

I've got a few parts - still humming and hawing over wheels. Leaning towards Halo Aerorage as I can get some with a fixed gear hub in, but that would put cost right up.
 
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