What type of paint to use for a bike frame












2














What's the best type of paint to use for painting bike frames, it's steel if that makes a difference?



I want to do a custom paint job and mix a few colours in a gradient effect. Should I use enamel paid, or an off the shelf car paint etc?



Also what paint should I use for an undercoat, a car primer paint ??



many thanks






paintjob customization







share|improve this question






















  • Starter: Hardwearing/durable/abrasion resistant, waterproof, oilproof, and compatible with the frame materials.
    – Criggie♦
    Dec 4 '18 at 17:49
















2














What's the best type of paint to use for painting bike frames, it's steel if that makes a difference?



I want to do a custom paint job and mix a few colours in a gradient effect. Should I use enamel paid, or an off the shelf car paint etc?



Also what paint should I use for an undercoat, a car primer paint ??



many thanks






paintjob customization







share|improve this question






















  • Starter: Hardwearing/durable/abrasion resistant, waterproof, oilproof, and compatible with the frame materials.
    – Criggie♦
    Dec 4 '18 at 17:49














2












2








2







What's the best type of paint to use for painting bike frames, it's steel if that makes a difference?



I want to do a custom paint job and mix a few colours in a gradient effect. Should I use enamel paid, or an off the shelf car paint etc?



Also what paint should I use for an undercoat, a car primer paint ??



many thanks






paintjob customization







share|improve this question













What's the best type of paint to use for painting bike frames, it's steel if that makes a difference?



I want to do a custom paint job and mix a few colours in a gradient effect. Should I use enamel paid, or an off the shelf car paint etc?



Also what paint should I use for an undercoat, a car primer paint ??



many thanks






paintjob customization




paintjob customization






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Dec 4 '18 at 16:28









Andy StannardAndy Stannard

2156




2156












  • Starter: Hardwearing/durable/abrasion resistant, waterproof, oilproof, and compatible with the frame materials.
    – Criggie♦
    Dec 4 '18 at 17:49


















  • Starter: Hardwearing/durable/abrasion resistant, waterproof, oilproof, and compatible with the frame materials.
    – Criggie♦
    Dec 4 '18 at 17:49
















Starter: Hardwearing/durable/abrasion resistant, waterproof, oilproof, and compatible with the frame materials.
– Criggie♦
Dec 4 '18 at 17:49




Starter: Hardwearing/durable/abrasion resistant, waterproof, oilproof, and compatible with the frame materials.
– Criggie♦
Dec 4 '18 at 17:49










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















5














Basically any paint that could be used on a car will work on a steel bike frame.



The better the paint the more robust it will be. Two-part epoxy based paints or powder coating are probably your best bets, but require specialized equipment. I think there are epoxy paints that do not require curing in an oven but you still need a spray gun.



You can probably use aerosol can paint with a self etching primer, meticulous preparation and good technique.






share|improve this answer





















  • appliance spray paint
    – Mazura
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:35






  • 1




    @Mazura you should make that an answer and explain why you think it would work well for a bike.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:51










  • It's epoxy paint in a spray can; you don't need a gun.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:28






  • 1




    @Mazura, Is it really epoxy though?. Two-part epoxy paint is mixed before spraying and then cures by a chemical process (often assisted by an oven). Anything that comes out of a spray can must dry by evaporation of a solvent.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:32










  • It says epoxy on the can but I'm not actually sure. Nevermind anyway, it says it's for interior only. However, if I had to choose an aerosol can that would still be it. But no matter what you use the absolute key is meticulous surface preparation.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 23:34



















4














Car paints will work fine, and car primers. There is one brand of paint that comes in rattle-cans and is specifically marketed for repainting bikes.



You could get a powdercoating shop to lay down a base coat--that would probably be inexpensive, and give you a durable protective layer under whatever paint you applied.






share|improve this answer





















  • After the frame has been powder coated, threads, especially the bottom bracket, may need to be recut.
    – Carel
    Dec 5 '18 at 8:55










  • Excellent point. Probably just chased, not recut, but I agree.
    – Adam Rice
    Dec 5 '18 at 13:49










  • With proper masking, the threads inside the BB shell should be fine. Facing the shell, sure, but it would need to be a half-assed powdercoating job if you need to chase the threads.
    – Gabriel C.
    Dec 5 '18 at 14:58











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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









5














Basically any paint that could be used on a car will work on a steel bike frame.



The better the paint the more robust it will be. Two-part epoxy based paints or powder coating are probably your best bets, but require specialized equipment. I think there are epoxy paints that do not require curing in an oven but you still need a spray gun.



You can probably use aerosol can paint with a self etching primer, meticulous preparation and good technique.






share|improve this answer





















  • appliance spray paint
    – Mazura
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:35






  • 1




    @Mazura you should make that an answer and explain why you think it would work well for a bike.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:51










  • It's epoxy paint in a spray can; you don't need a gun.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:28






  • 1




    @Mazura, Is it really epoxy though?. Two-part epoxy paint is mixed before spraying and then cures by a chemical process (often assisted by an oven). Anything that comes out of a spray can must dry by evaporation of a solvent.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:32










  • It says epoxy on the can but I'm not actually sure. Nevermind anyway, it says it's for interior only. However, if I had to choose an aerosol can that would still be it. But no matter what you use the absolute key is meticulous surface preparation.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 23:34
















5














Basically any paint that could be used on a car will work on a steel bike frame.



The better the paint the more robust it will be. Two-part epoxy based paints or powder coating are probably your best bets, but require specialized equipment. I think there are epoxy paints that do not require curing in an oven but you still need a spray gun.



You can probably use aerosol can paint with a self etching primer, meticulous preparation and good technique.






share|improve this answer





















  • appliance spray paint
    – Mazura
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:35






  • 1




    @Mazura you should make that an answer and explain why you think it would work well for a bike.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:51










  • It's epoxy paint in a spray can; you don't need a gun.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:28






  • 1




    @Mazura, Is it really epoxy though?. Two-part epoxy paint is mixed before spraying and then cures by a chemical process (often assisted by an oven). Anything that comes out of a spray can must dry by evaporation of a solvent.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:32










  • It says epoxy on the can but I'm not actually sure. Nevermind anyway, it says it's for interior only. However, if I had to choose an aerosol can that would still be it. But no matter what you use the absolute key is meticulous surface preparation.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 23:34














5












5








5






Basically any paint that could be used on a car will work on a steel bike frame.



The better the paint the more robust it will be. Two-part epoxy based paints or powder coating are probably your best bets, but require specialized equipment. I think there are epoxy paints that do not require curing in an oven but you still need a spray gun.



You can probably use aerosol can paint with a self etching primer, meticulous preparation and good technique.






share|improve this answer












Basically any paint that could be used on a car will work on a steel bike frame.



The better the paint the more robust it will be. Two-part epoxy based paints or powder coating are probably your best bets, but require specialized equipment. I think there are epoxy paints that do not require curing in an oven but you still need a spray gun.



You can probably use aerosol can paint with a self etching primer, meticulous preparation and good technique.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Dec 4 '18 at 18:35









Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus

33.1k23483




33.1k23483












  • appliance spray paint
    – Mazura
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:35






  • 1




    @Mazura you should make that an answer and explain why you think it would work well for a bike.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:51










  • It's epoxy paint in a spray can; you don't need a gun.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:28






  • 1




    @Mazura, Is it really epoxy though?. Two-part epoxy paint is mixed before spraying and then cures by a chemical process (often assisted by an oven). Anything that comes out of a spray can must dry by evaporation of a solvent.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:32










  • It says epoxy on the can but I'm not actually sure. Nevermind anyway, it says it's for interior only. However, if I had to choose an aerosol can that would still be it. But no matter what you use the absolute key is meticulous surface preparation.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 23:34


















  • appliance spray paint
    – Mazura
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:35






  • 1




    @Mazura you should make that an answer and explain why you think it would work well for a bike.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 4 '18 at 22:51










  • It's epoxy paint in a spray can; you don't need a gun.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:28






  • 1




    @Mazura, Is it really epoxy though?. Two-part epoxy paint is mixed before spraying and then cures by a chemical process (often assisted by an oven). Anything that comes out of a spray can must dry by evaporation of a solvent.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Dec 5 '18 at 21:32










  • It says epoxy on the can but I'm not actually sure. Nevermind anyway, it says it's for interior only. However, if I had to choose an aerosol can that would still be it. But no matter what you use the absolute key is meticulous surface preparation.
    – Mazura
    Dec 5 '18 at 23:34
















appliance spray paint
– Mazura
Dec 4 '18 at 22:35




appliance spray paint
– Mazura
Dec 4 '18 at 22:35




1




1




@Mazura you should make that an answer and explain why you think it would work well for a bike.
– Argenti Apparatus
Dec 4 '18 at 22:51




@Mazura you should make that an answer and explain why you think it would work well for a bike.
– Argenti Apparatus
Dec 4 '18 at 22:51












It's epoxy paint in a spray can; you don't need a gun.
– Mazura
Dec 5 '18 at 21:28




It's epoxy paint in a spray can; you don't need a gun.
– Mazura
Dec 5 '18 at 21:28




1




1




@Mazura, Is it really epoxy though?. Two-part epoxy paint is mixed before spraying and then cures by a chemical process (often assisted by an oven). Anything that comes out of a spray can must dry by evaporation of a solvent.
– Argenti Apparatus
Dec 5 '18 at 21:32




@Mazura, Is it really epoxy though?. Two-part epoxy paint is mixed before spraying and then cures by a chemical process (often assisted by an oven). Anything that comes out of a spray can must dry by evaporation of a solvent.
– Argenti Apparatus
Dec 5 '18 at 21:32












It says epoxy on the can but I'm not actually sure. Nevermind anyway, it says it's for interior only. However, if I had to choose an aerosol can that would still be it. But no matter what you use the absolute key is meticulous surface preparation.
– Mazura
Dec 5 '18 at 23:34




It says epoxy on the can but I'm not actually sure. Nevermind anyway, it says it's for interior only. However, if I had to choose an aerosol can that would still be it. But no matter what you use the absolute key is meticulous surface preparation.
– Mazura
Dec 5 '18 at 23:34











4














Car paints will work fine, and car primers. There is one brand of paint that comes in rattle-cans and is specifically marketed for repainting bikes.



You could get a powdercoating shop to lay down a base coat--that would probably be inexpensive, and give you a durable protective layer under whatever paint you applied.






share|improve this answer





















  • After the frame has been powder coated, threads, especially the bottom bracket, may need to be recut.
    – Carel
    Dec 5 '18 at 8:55










  • Excellent point. Probably just chased, not recut, but I agree.
    – Adam Rice
    Dec 5 '18 at 13:49










  • With proper masking, the threads inside the BB shell should be fine. Facing the shell, sure, but it would need to be a half-assed powdercoating job if you need to chase the threads.
    – Gabriel C.
    Dec 5 '18 at 14:58
















4














Car paints will work fine, and car primers. There is one brand of paint that comes in rattle-cans and is specifically marketed for repainting bikes.



You could get a powdercoating shop to lay down a base coat--that would probably be inexpensive, and give you a durable protective layer under whatever paint you applied.






share|improve this answer





















  • After the frame has been powder coated, threads, especially the bottom bracket, may need to be recut.
    – Carel
    Dec 5 '18 at 8:55










  • Excellent point. Probably just chased, not recut, but I agree.
    – Adam Rice
    Dec 5 '18 at 13:49










  • With proper masking, the threads inside the BB shell should be fine. Facing the shell, sure, but it would need to be a half-assed powdercoating job if you need to chase the threads.
    – Gabriel C.
    Dec 5 '18 at 14:58














4












4








4






Car paints will work fine, and car primers. There is one brand of paint that comes in rattle-cans and is specifically marketed for repainting bikes.



You could get a powdercoating shop to lay down a base coat--that would probably be inexpensive, and give you a durable protective layer under whatever paint you applied.






share|improve this answer












Car paints will work fine, and car primers. There is one brand of paint that comes in rattle-cans and is specifically marketed for repainting bikes.



You could get a powdercoating shop to lay down a base coat--that would probably be inexpensive, and give you a durable protective layer under whatever paint you applied.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Dec 4 '18 at 18:55









Adam RiceAdam Rice

5,1391330




5,1391330












  • After the frame has been powder coated, threads, especially the bottom bracket, may need to be recut.
    – Carel
    Dec 5 '18 at 8:55










  • Excellent point. Probably just chased, not recut, but I agree.
    – Adam Rice
    Dec 5 '18 at 13:49










  • With proper masking, the threads inside the BB shell should be fine. Facing the shell, sure, but it would need to be a half-assed powdercoating job if you need to chase the threads.
    – Gabriel C.
    Dec 5 '18 at 14:58


















  • After the frame has been powder coated, threads, especially the bottom bracket, may need to be recut.
    – Carel
    Dec 5 '18 at 8:55










  • Excellent point. Probably just chased, not recut, but I agree.
    – Adam Rice
    Dec 5 '18 at 13:49










  • With proper masking, the threads inside the BB shell should be fine. Facing the shell, sure, but it would need to be a half-assed powdercoating job if you need to chase the threads.
    – Gabriel C.
    Dec 5 '18 at 14:58
















After the frame has been powder coated, threads, especially the bottom bracket, may need to be recut.
– Carel
Dec 5 '18 at 8:55




After the frame has been powder coated, threads, especially the bottom bracket, may need to be recut.
– Carel
Dec 5 '18 at 8:55












Excellent point. Probably just chased, not recut, but I agree.
– Adam Rice
Dec 5 '18 at 13:49




Excellent point. Probably just chased, not recut, but I agree.
– Adam Rice
Dec 5 '18 at 13:49












With proper masking, the threads inside the BB shell should be fine. Facing the shell, sure, but it would need to be a half-assed powdercoating job if you need to chase the threads.
– Gabriel C.
Dec 5 '18 at 14:58




With proper masking, the threads inside the BB shell should be fine. Facing the shell, sure, but it would need to be a half-assed powdercoating job if you need to chase the threads.
– Gabriel C.
Dec 5 '18 at 14:58


















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