Sooner or later during operation, the bicycle frame may require painting. The reasons may be different. It is important to choose the right paint and varnish material, prepare the surface and perform the main work strictly according to the instructions. Want to do everything without errors? Read our article.
Why paint a bicycle frame?
The reasons for painting a bicycle frame can be many:
- change in appearance (for example, the red color of the frame is simply tired or the old pink bicycle is inherited by the younger brother);
- updating the paint layer, for example, if the old one has peeled off;
- protection against mechanical and other types of damage, including corrosion.
Paint selection
Painting a bicycle frame can be a way to update its exterior. Such paint can help in this:
- Metallic (a metallic element does not have to be present in this paint, a similar effect can be created by adding small pieces of metal). Such paint is rarely used due to the need to use high temperature for drying.
- Acrylic It requires a mixture of hardener and dye, which is not always convenient at home. In addition, it has no other drawbacks (the paint lays well on the surface, dries quickly at any temperature).
- Paints in cans (for example, luminescent). This option is convenient because it does not require dilution and tool selection.
- Powder. Such paint is often used to cover metal doors, since it has anti-vandal properties, therefore, such a coating will protect the bicycle frame from mechanical damage.
Before the start of work
The first step in painting a bicycle frame is to prepare the necessary tools and materials, such as:
- a set of tools for parsing a bicycle;
- washing (it is better to choose a professional tool);
- metal scraper;
- several pieces of sandpaper of different calibers;
- degreasing solvent (acetone, white spirit, kerosene);
- putty;
- primer;
- painting tools (brush or air gun);
- paint (epoxy, acrylic, alkyd, powder);
- latex gloves;
- respirator.
Bike disassembly sequence
When all the tools and materials have been prepared, the color and type of paint selected, you can proceed to disassemble the bike. This must be done so that when painting the bicycle frame (powder or other dye), do not stain other parts of the vehicle. To disassemble, you will need a special set of tools (it can be sold with the bike itself).
The disassembly itself before painting the bicycle frame with powder paint (or any other) should include:
- dismantling of all canopies (this applies to brakes, shock absorbers and other similar elements);
- dismantling the front wheel (you need to remove the fork and wing from the dropouts, if any);
- twisting the steering wheel out of the fork;
- dismantling of the trunk;
- removing the rear wheel with the existing wing.
After only the bare skeleton remains during disassembly, remove the plug from the front pipe.
Preparing the surface of the frame for painting
Any paint on metal lays down exactly only on condition of careful preparation of the painted surface. It is carried out before painting the bicycle frame with acrylic paint or any other.
You can do this as follows:
- Remove old paint with a special wash. For this, the chemical agent must be applied to the surface to be treated in several layers, left for 15-20 minutes. You can remove the paint with a metal scraper.
- Now the surface of the frame needs to be cleaned with sandpaper. This should be done until a perfectly flat surface is obtained.
- Check the frame for chips and dents, they should not be. If they are, then you need to fill up the bumps with putty or cold welding. The smoother the surface, the better the paint will lie.
- The cracked frame needs to be degreased, for which any directed solution is suitable.
- The next step is to primer the surface. It is necessary to apply several thin layers with an interval of 20 minutes.
- Leave the frame for 24 hours to dry.
- The last step will be sanding with zero sandpaper. This should be done as carefully as possible so as not to tear off the primer layer.
DIY painting instructions for bicycle frames
To obtain a saturated color and a more even surface, the paint must be applied in several layers, and it does not matter, this is done with a brush, spray gun or spray can.
There is another trick: you can make the paint more saturated and bright if you cover the first layer with white. If there is a desire to create a transition, then the dark color should be superimposed on the light.
It is not recommended to make the paint layer too thick. If there is a desire to make the color more saturated, it is better to cover the frame with several layers, but more thin. This will avoid unpleasant drips.
If the paint is applied with a brush, then you need to do this with small strokes, while at the same place it is better to walk no more than two times. When painting with a spray can, it should always be kept at the same distance (15-20 cm) so that the coating is uniform.
Some masters prefer to finish this work with varnish or decoration with various stickers. This should be done after the paint has completely dried, which lasts 24 hours.
Painting a bicycle frame will not only protect the metal from the negative effects of various natural phenomena, but also decorate it and change the appearance of the bicycle. If you know how to do it yourself, you can perform the update immediately, as the old bike gets tired.