Getting my sus frame repainted and the guy doing it has suggested
leaving the old bearings in until after painting, my only worry
about this is damaging new paint then getting them out!any reason why
i should/shouldn’t do this?
He has been recommended and apparently makes a good job.

you should do it to protect the bearing contact surfaces. that is all.

Just had mine done and spent an age cutting back the paint to clean up the bearing surfaces, and therefore wish I’d left an old/cheap headset and bb in place. If you don’t mind putting in the time, then no need, and cutting back hasn’t damaged the remaining paintwork.

PS Frame powdercoated.

Whever i have known someone get a bike sprayed it is always best to leave bearings in, the alternative is to remove them now and then have massive issues trying to get new bearings into a paint covered hole! Which bearings are you worried about removing? given that they will be old bearings there should be no issues with damaging the bearings to remove them if they are especially annoying but it is the best way to do it!

you could ask the sprayer to knock the bearings out after hes done it – explaining that you are really really worried that you will ruin his wonderful painwork with your ham fistedness……

(lay it on thick)