Painting a steel frame

I got an old steel frame powder coated back in 1999. This frame has been used as a commuter, cross bike, left outside, crashed, locked to poorly designed bike racks, stolen and returned, smashed into a Rolls Royce in front of the Indian Embassy, …. and it has one nick in the paint from when broke a front derailleur off in a crash. (Drunk Dec 31 ride in the snow around 2003.)

I highly recommend getting it powder coated. They will blast it before the process. Then get decals mounted and then clearcoated. Not really want I suspect you are looking to do, but for those looking to armor a bike, it is the way to go.

I’m sure the LBS owners in the region might have some suggestions as well.

@americancyclo 90589 wrote:

Looks like it was painted by Calfee

That’s a carbon bike–I think with steel you have some more options. I seem to remember someone last year talking about taking one to Maaco with pretty good success.

There is also a guy out of Manassas that specializes in bike frames. Anyone remember who I’m talking about?

One shop that popped onto my radar 2 years ago due to it’s presence at the NAHBBS was this guy:

http://sixelevenbicycleco.com

He’s down in Roanoke, VA – about a 4 hour drive south of here. Very good looking paint coming out of that shop, tho who knows if he’d be inclined to just do a quick and pedestrian respray plus decals & clear.

I’ll also second the powdercoating – highly utilitarian, but cooler colors (candies, bassboat style flake, and pearlescents) are becoming available.

Or, you could just strip it and rattle can it yourself – you’d be surprised how well a basic rattle can respray can look. just spend 10 times as long as you think you should on prep and cleaning and you might come out with a pretty baller paint job.

A lot of smaller custom frame builders* use Brian Myers of Fresh Frame. He’s up in Pennsylvania. If you want something awesome in fancy wet paint, I’d try him. If you want awesome and utilitarian, I’d go the powdercoat route others have suggested. A buddy had one done through Spectrum Powderworks a few years back and loves it.

*Including my personal favorite, Chris Bishop. Which reminds me, I’ve got something to post over to the “Covet” thread!

@dkel 90600 wrote:

The Straggler paint is electro-deposited, and has the glitter thing going on.

That’s a good looking frame!

@mstone 90612 wrote:

Can someone educate me on why they don’t just put framesaver on at the factory? Is there a set of cyclists that prefers rust?

Gives the LBS something to do, as in providing a service beyond building up the bike. It may also be too time-consuming for the factory, to have to spray that crud in the frame and let it run through.

@ShawnoftheDread 90621 wrote:

So it’s like the undercoat at the car dealership?

Yeah, pretty much! I trust my LBS guys, though (I’m looking at you, Jan and Co.).