Argos Repaint Service Opinions?

[Le_Bouc]

Hi, Has anyone tried the Argos paint shop in Bristol? Many people say they are very good but I would like to hear from someone who has had their aluminum frame repainted. One of my 1995 Cannondale Cad oversized aluminum frames is starting to look a bit tired in places. It has a very light matt finish powercoat. My other Cannondale (called A Beast Of The East) is in much better shape as the paint finish is a much thicker, tougher sort. Anyway on the frame needing seen to the aluminum has flared up leaving the white oxidization process and thus flaked, bubbled up paint. I am curious if Argos can create a good finish before spending about £170 on this. I love my old Cannondale. It has never been crashed and is a light frame so I think it is worth the cost. I understand with alumimum one must get a good acid session that creates pores that ensure the primers and paint finish to adhere properly. Thanks................

 

[spandex]

Mickle highly rates them

 

[Le_Bouc]

Like your French reply Jim. Good to see that I'm not the only one suffering from schoolboy French syndrome............

 

[spandex]

si vous le souhaitez je peux parler français

 

[Le_Bouc]

Too much like a conversation with my girlfriend, she's French (oh she can speak English but prefers to laugh at my efforts - speaking French that is) and I'm the ex-Scot living in Sarko land. I'm keeping my ties to the UK in that bike bits are cheaper in the UK and the bike cameraderie is more alive. I'll save even more on now that VAT is at 15% and Sterling is low, rather than pay the 19.6% in France where all prices are manfacturers list price and there is no customer service. Cheers guys

 

[e-rider]

Top job for steel re-sprays so I'm sure they will make a good job of your aluminium frame.

I had my aluminium Kona re-sprayed at Mercian Cycles in Derby - looked like they got the trainee to do it at lunch time! When I asked them about the poor finish and damaged headset they had absolutely no interest. If they don't want to do aluminium mtb frames then they should say so. I was worried when it was done after 3 days when they said waiting time for re-sprays was 6-8 weeks.

Would never go back/or buy a mercian road bike.

 

[Dave5N]

Why not get it powdercoated and save a fortune?

 

[mickle]

Powder coating isn't a long term solution, once corrosion gets under it it's unstoppable. Powdercoating destroyed my uncles Moulton APB.

 

[mickle]

Argos are fab BTW, never seen a less than stellar job from them. World class finishers.

 

[Dave5N]

Deal with the corrosion after the blast. Then get it powdercoated. £15 get in!

 

[Dave5N]

Powder coating isn't a long term solution, once corrosion gets under it it's unstoppable. Powdercoating destroyed my uncles Moulton APB.

AT £15 a shot it's still cheaper to do it every three months.

PC on Al does chip at turns, but for the cost - no contest.

 

[GrahamG]

I'd look to Argos - they build a lot of race frames in Aluminium still so probably deal with it all the time. Most of the other people out there deal mostly with steel.

 

[kyuss]

AT £15 a shot it's still cheaper to do it every three months.

Where on earth are you getting a frame stripped and powdercoated for £15? Cheapest I've ever heard of is £40-£50 at Armourtex in London but that's for steel, alu being more expensive because of the need for softer blasting media (walnut shell). Cheapest quote I've had in Edinburgh so far is £75. At that price it's almost worth paying for paint and the unlimited colours (you'll be restricted in what you colours you can get powdercoat).

 

[User482]

Argos are fab BTW, never seen a less than stellar job from them. World class finishers.

Argos paint jobs look fabulous, but are quite fragile. Certainly my experience, and also that of other guys in my club who have used them.

 

[Dave5N]

Where on earth are you getting a frame stripped and powdercoated for £15? Cheapest I've ever heard of is £40-£50 at Armourtex in London but that's for steel, alu being more expensive because of the need for softer blasting media (walnut shell). Cheapest quote I've had in Edinburgh so far is £75. At that price it's almost worth paying for paint and the unlimited colours (you'll be restricted in what you colours you can get powdercoat).

Bournes, Digbeth. Last one I had done was £20, but that was a bit more for a translucent pearlescent finish. Al frame though.