Evening. I'm looking to change a few colours on my Lapierre Zesty 314 2008. Basically where there is the black painted section on the top tube and the black bits on the swing arm. Look to paint them white. What are the best types of paints and lacquers to use for this?? And best ways to apply them?? Anyone got any other hints or tips?
Cheers

well, for home use? for home use you'll be looking at acrylic (aka 1k) spray paint, sold at most automotive refinishers, stocked in halfords etc etc

although, the durability of such paint is not very good, it is an air drying paint which requires the thinners to evaporate from the paint in order for it to harden, Unlike a 2k paint where it uses a chemical reaction hardener to set, which offers a much more durable finish. Unfortunately you can't use this type of paint at home, without specialist equipment.

Wot he said. The only option really is car spray cans from Halfords and the like. You can get a decent finish from them if you're careful, but even with lots of coats on, it's not durable. Having said that some bikes have pretty rubbish paint jobs anyway

I may have dreamed this, but I thought I'd seen Plasti-kote stuff being recommended.

http://www.plasti-kote.co.uk/Product/pcode—4181

Yes they do say that you can use this on bicycles. Thanks for the link.

plasti-cote is terrible, enamel based paint, that takes WEEKS to fully dry.

As a professional painter, i'd avoid it.

Really. Ok. Halfords it is then. Cheers.

Hammerite.

If they are regular tubes and not hydro formed into funny shapes, you could save a lot of aggro and possible devaluation buy applying vinyl instead of painting it…

Get it done professionally. You will ALWAYS stare at it and notice imperfections otherwise.

tinsy…Vinyl paint or vinyl graphics. They are hyro formed tubes but the area where it will be applied are flat. If I took the frame to a specialist vinyl graphics shop, would they do this kind of thing???

zestybeard

the surface doesn't have to be flat to apply vinyl and any sign place worth there salt should be able to do it for you no problems. The plus point of vinyl as opposed to paint is you can easily reapply it if it gets tatty.

by the way I'm a sign maker so if you get stuck please give us a shout mail in profile or try gil@thecycleshed.co.uk nice chap I was talking to this morning

Sam

zestybeard… No I kind of meant make your own, it wouldnt be difficult if its not got loads of shape to it (its just the shape makes it awkward to stick the graphic on), round tube or flat bits are a doddle, make your own stencil with card then mark it on the back of the vinyl or fablon (think back to front for that bit) and cut it out, you can buy the vinyl readily enough from a sign shop…. Or just fablon from B&Q or the like (not bought any for years), it would at the very least give you an idea if your scheme is a good one, at the worst you lose just a few quid trying.

Of course if you cant hold a pencil, pair of scissors and a craft knife, then your ferked. 🙂

Do it right and it will be fine, do it wrong it will look poo, but you have still only lost a couple of quid, if you cant make the stickers, you have zero hope of painting it yourself.

Nice. I like these ideas. At least with vinyl or fablon it will looksmooth and consistent. Thanks guys. Will do some homework and get creative.