spray can paint advice needed

[phil-b]

I have an aluminum frame and fork I want to repaint.

can I just key the old paint and spray over it or is it best to strip back to bare metal

 

[cyberknight]

advice here
https://spray.bike/

 

[T4tomo]

advice here
https://spray.bike/

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/spray-bike-paint.287451/
and a thread that stuff with other views and advice

 

[fossyant]

You can and I've done that twice. Just sand out and imperfections.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I have an aluminum frame and fork I want to repaint.

can I just key the old paint and spray over it or is it best to strip back to bare metal

Yes you can. spray.bike paints seem to hold best; I also used Montana paints which look great but scratch more easily.

 

[phil-b]

You can and I've done that twice. Just sand out and imperfections.

yes that was what I was thinking to do. did you spray on a primer?

 

[phil-b]

Yes you can. spray.bike paints seem to hold best; I also used Montana paints which look great but scratch more easily.

I think I need something hard wearing

 

[Drago]

Finish with a 2K spray such as Spraymax clear and it'll be as tough as any factory painted finish. Not cheap though, at 30 odd quid a can you're halfway to the cost of just getting it powder coated.

 

[T4tomo]

I think I need something hard wearing

As @Drago says you get that from the varnish top coat. Spray.bike do a matt or a gloss, for £10 a can - you need at least 2 or 3 coats. The Spraymax stuff may well be tougher.

Graff-city.com sell both types, the spraymax is £20 a can.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/dolan-cx-refurb.287841/post-6970147
some pics of what I did on link.

Don't rush it, better to do more "light" coats that try to put on too much paint / varnish in one go. And wait a few days before rebuilding the bike as varnish coats can be touch dry, but take a while to fully harden.

 

[phil-b]

Finish with a 2K spray such as Spraymax clear and it'll be as tough as any factory painted finish. Not cheap though, at 30 odd quid a can you're halfway to the cost of just getting it powder coated.

well powder coating might be a better option. im not sure yet

 

[fossyant]

yes that was what I was thinking to do. did you spray on a primer?

I did - just regular stuff from Halfords.

 

[fossyant]

It needs to be 2k for super tough, which is also very nasty stuff to spray. You've got to activate the 'mix' then use it. 18 months in on my commuter I'm happy with the spray cans. On my road bike, because of the paint choice, whilst it looks ace, it easily chips as it's too thick - it's a pearlescent white so needed a really good primer x 2, then 2-3 coats of the colour plus two gloss. The commuter just needed a primer and two colours and a single gloss.