Where To Get A Frame Stripped/Resprayed?

[TheSandwichMonster]

Morning all,

I've got an old MTB that I'm going to singlespeed-ify as a bit of a project for a commuter bike. I've got some work to do on it first, but there are a few chips in the paintwork and I was contemplating removing the few remaining decals, getting the frame stripped back and then possibly getting it resprayed a new colour. I was just wondering how I would go about finding someone to do this for me, and if anyone could give a rough approximation of cost?

Cheers,
James

 

[Tim Hall]

Cheap way: Find your local industrial finisher and ask them. I've had a couple of bikes dome like this, single colour. A handful of crispy fivers changed hands. You'll need to strip it down first, including removing anything screwed into it.

More expensive way: Find your local frame painter, although I don't know of any in Devon. More choice of colours I suspect.

 

[Alun]

Have a look at powder coating which is a hardwearing finish like your fridge or washing machine, available in a range of colours, prices from about £25 I believe.

 

[Peteaud]

Not cheap

http://www.argoscycles.com/

But very professional

 

[Alembicbassman]

£80-90 seems to be the going rate, but that is a pro job that'll probably last 20 years. I looked into getting my tourer done, in the end I just stuck frame protector patches on it (£5).

If the BB is not sealed up correctly it's a sod to remove the powder coat from the threads.

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/resprays_pl.php - Bit cheaper than Argos

 

[biggs682]

i used local powder coaters £35 for 2 frame sets

 

[Ivan Ardon]

You're around Exeter from memory, right?

I've used 1st choice in Pinhoe - nice job but expensive for blast, prime and powdercoat - £70 for F+F last time I had something done.

I'm going to try these http://www.bucksengineering.co.uk/index.html next time, they're up past Tiverton, but last time I rung them they were a lot cheaper (£30 from memory) especially if you have one of the agricultural colours that they're always doing - John Deere green or Massey Ferguson Red anyone?

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Thanks for all of the answers. I'm in no rush to get this done, so I'll have a look around at some of those options and work out what's best.

Cheers all!

 

[Linford]

About 20 years ago, I picked up a MTB from the tip - I was very broke and needed a bike which I wasn't afraid to do a bit of fettling with (I paid them a couple of quid for it as that is what they did back then).

The paint was rough on it, so I took it to a local shot blasting company who stripped all the paint off for about £5 IIRC. WHen I gotit back, there the serial number was near the bottom bracket, the frame had been hammered in and there was the remnants of a big lump of filler which had mostly been blased off. It had been previously pinched, disguised, and then taken to the tip when it got too rough.

A lesson to learn

 

[ben Johnson]

We have all of our bikes powdercoated as the finish is very tough and there are a wide range of colours available. Every 6 months we quality control and real-world test the powdercoat finish. To give you an idea, it frequently takes 15+ hard blows with the sharp edge of a steel ruler to get through to the metal. The same test on a cheap wet painted frame will last 1-3 blows
The 9 step process includes sandblasting, degreasing, air blown dry, iron phosphate treatment, mask threads, pre heated, powder coating, oven curing and bubble wrapping. As a guide, a mountain bike frame coated in a standard colour is £50.
Alternatively, we Hammerite our prototypes prior to testing. So long as you don't damage the surface of the paint it'll last for 2-3 years. With a brush and 1/4 tin of paint you could do it for the cost of a (Northern) pint.

 

[MacB]

Depends on value of frame, intended life of paint job and how picky you are on the finish. For a low value frame with a reasonable finish and good lifespan I'd check out a local powdercoaters. Even if they don't advertise as doing bikes they often will, just not as a main line. Searching the forums for their name will also turn out other cyclists that have previously used them. My one in Ashvale/Aldershot will do a frame for £25-30 and I've seen a few done by them and the owners have all been happy.

Onlt thing to watch for is how they protect the BB etc, if in doubt do that bit yourself.

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Cheers for all of that.

The bike is old, but mechanically sound and well looked-after. I'd strip the frame & forks before getting anything done to it, so the only things to need protection would be the threads I expect.