dozen

Hey guys! This is so off-topic that it's not even about a boat, it's about a bike, but I think you guys might have the answers I need since there seems to be a lot of knowledge in this forum regarding painting outdoors sports stuff...

So I'm buying a $400 bike frame that is aluminum (pictures and info here) and I want to paint it, but I understand aluminum is super difficult to paint correctly. I thought about bead-blasting it myself (I have access) and then having it powdercoated, but that will cost me $100-150 more and I just can't afford that.

What would you guys advise for prep, prime & paint? I want it to be flat black or at most semi-gloss, and while I want it to look great, I'm not above doing a nice, careful but cheap rattlecan job. My main concern is the prep and priming so i don't have it flaking off the next day

edit: Also, let me add that I have little to no knowledge of painting and priming, this is my first foray, so if you can please be specific and provide links. thanks SO MUCH in advance! how did people find this stuff out before forums?!?!

rchevelle71

iTrader: (1)

Use an etching primer, or the green stuff in the rattle can, I forget what they call it.

stevekyp

They call it zink chromate primer.

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

go to any bodyshop supply place and look for a primer from a company called SEM. Its a self etching primer in a spray can that is very high quality and comes in several colors. The black in #35673 and they also have a nice satin/low gloss trim black as well its #39143. you wont have twenty five bucks in the whole thing.


Nice bike, i ride a Klein Mantra Pro Race.

OkieTunnel

You guys are bicyclists? I always thought that was like sailboating

dozen

so i found some zink chromate primer on ebay and am leaning towards that, but am intrigued by this SEM stuff. glassdave, have you used it or seen it used? and you just put a coat or two of it on and you're good? nothing else first?

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

I use quite a bit of it actually. Its a product thats made for use in body shops. If your going aerosol its the only way to go. I use to do body service on those small post office vans and its all we'd use on the aluminum. Went through cases of it, anywhere we'd sand through the finish before a complete re spray we would just toss some of this on there, did over 700 truck like that. Not one issue with this primer, bites pretty well on prepped surfaces.

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

The Klein Mantra Pro Race in the 41 Apache of MTB's

OkieTunnel

Oh...its an Apache thing, That explains it!

stevekyp

Ive used it to to prime my lower units that needed a paint job.
on th bare spots.
after 5 years of running in salt water.the primer still held up!
some of the old paint came of but the green primer is still on!
definatly good stuff!!!!!