Bare metal finish - clear top coat?

[richi78]

I'm not happy with the DIY finish for my Kona Singlespeed and am toying with the idea of stripping it back to the bare metal, applying new decals and then finishing it with a clear top coat. I'm likely to be getting some work done to the frame (removing gear cable guides, rear brake bosses, adding rear disc tab, etc..) and quite like the idea of seeing the welds and colour tarnishes on the frame. I think that it will also look great with the predominantly black components that I have on the bike, as well as the carbon forks.

So my question is, has anyone done this with steel and what were the results? I've done a little reading and it seems that without the primer, it is difficult to get the laquer to stick...

 

[mtbfix]

The metal probably needs to be really, really clean but it looks ace. Kingroon on here has a bare metal On-One and the finish looks brilliant.

 

[cannondale king]

i was gonna do exactly the same thing with my kona unit but didn't bother as i was gonna get my local powder coater to just clear coat it without decals please keep us informed how it looks i think it will cool as

 

[Defiant]

a friend of mine has done it with his Rocky mountain, only no decals,..looks ase!

 

[digitalkreation]

I did this back in the day, because I loved the Ti look back then and my crappy old cromo frame at the time looked similar, so I stripped it down and cleaned it up good and then did the rattle-can clear coat. I must have sprayed on at least 3 good coats, but within about 2 weeks, I could see it begining to rust in spots.

My advice is to also get it clear-powder coated. That would be sweet.

 

[richi78]

Thanks for the tips.

From what I have read it looks like a clear powder coat will be the best option.

I've gotten a quote from a New Jersey based fabricator to do the work and they have come back with the following - which seems a little pricey to me!

Add disc brake mount - $30
remove DT gear cable guides - $30
remove rear (canti) brake bosses - $30
add rear disc brake cable guide - $30
consumables charge - $50
powdercoat - $200

TOTAL: $370

* Powdercoat. The $200 cost for powdercoat includes a single color with clear coat. If you were interested in a fade or other fancy design, the cost would increase.
** Finishing. After the powdercoat your frame may need one last finishing step before component installation. Tapping, facing, and reaming are often overlooked yet extremely important to the function and lifespan of a bicycle. We explain the process here. It might not be necessary, but is something to be aware of. It would cost $75.

So could be up to $445!!

 

[hamster]

For the brazing work it doesn't sound too bad. The powdercoat seems a bit pricey, would be the same as a wet spray here. Can't comment on US prices though.

I'm amazed that people seem to expect bike shop labour to be waaay cheaper than a garage for some reason...

 

[richi78]

I thought that too - especially adding the rear disc tab.

Although $30 to remove the old cable guides seems steep - I guess they have to clean it up rather than just chop 'em off!

Any of my fellow US retro-bikers have any good contacts for this kind of work?

Also - I guess I could save some money by stripping the frame myself. Is there a US equivalent of Nitromors? (although not sure where I would do the work as I live on the 9th floor of a Manhattan apartment block!)

 

[Andy R]

Well if you removed the cable stops and canti bosses yourself then that would be $60 saved straight away.....

 

[digitalkreation]

I looked at having one of my bikes done in Powder, at Spectrum Powder Works in Colorado Springs, and the prices were very similar. Just make sure these guys are good, Spectrum is one of the best.

Thread chasing can be done by your LBS on a slow day for cheap.