I've recently bought what is hopefully a nice steel frame and fork that definitely needs a new coat of paint.

I'm not sure I want something mega fancy, but the lugs, seat stays and fork crown are stainless and unpainted so £70 at the powder coasters like the last frame I had done won't cut it.

I do want something durable, so 2 pack and clear coats over decals.

I've seen Argos, Fat creations and a few others.

Real world advice please.

This will possibly be unpopular opinion.. but I was really disappointed with my last Argos respray which lasted all of 5 minutes and took an age to get done. I’m not convinced it was properly prepared or laquered chips appeared almost instantly. I felt they had gone downhill but this was a few years back

Thanks Dave, that's what I'm.looking for, real world reviews.

Dave at Colour Tech. https://www.colour-tech.co.uk/about/

Richard Hallett uses him and I have no complaints on the paintwork of touring bike Richard built me. He paints for a good number of framebuiders. Used to paint all the Roberts bikes I believe, and they have lovely finishes.

No reason why a good powder coaters can't mask lugs etc.

Or the DIY approach. Probably would cost £100 in paint, plus decals, but good results can happen with some careful preparation

but good results can happen with some careful preparation

Very true. I've purposely painted this without using any 'special' equipment in the hope of showing this very thing.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2024 1:45 pm

but good results can happen with some careful preparation

Very true. I've purposely painted this without using any 'special' equipment in the hope of showing this very thing.

That looks nice!
What did you do?

What did you do?

Despite owning sprat guns and compressors, I decided to paint this using nothing but off the shelf spray cans to hopefully try and prove that anyone can paint something and achieve a reasonable result.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2024 6:42 am

What did you do?

Despite owning sprat guns and compressors, I decided to paint this using nothing but off the shelf spray cans to hopefully try and prove that anyone can paint something and achieve a reasonable result.

Any better pics? How did you mask the different colours? Clear coat over the top?

This is before any flatting back / polishing off Rich. For masking, use J-Tape fine line tape, don't mess about with normal masking tape as it'll make a mess. 2K clear over the top. Don't believe the manufactures claim about it drying in 24 hours, you need to leave it somewhere warm for a couple of weeks before polishing off.

That looks stunning Stu

That looks stunning Stu

Thank you. It does look better with the seat on as that makes the black line up from tank to tail piece.

That looks very smart

Thanks for the info.

So. I've sent a few emails and a powdercoat is looking an option for a base coat.

Any ideas for where to get a decal in a custom font and colour printed?

Richpips wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2024 9:10 pm So. I've sent a few emails and a powdercoat is looking an option for a base coat.

Any ideas for where to get a decal in a custom font and colour printed?

H Lloyd's the go to place for decals Rich