Repaint alu parts (stem, handlebar)

[Angyalpor]

Hi!

Any of You ever try to repair a stem, or handlebar?
I've got a seriously scratched Kore handlebar, and I plan to polish it, and make decals onto it.
I plan to print a decal, (a negative), and then paint it, then remove the sticker.

Any experiences, ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Thias]

The paint won't last long, I would frear. Elox might be a better decision?

Bare paint scratches very easily. A layer of clear coat might cope with that problem, but it would add thickness. Then you might run into problems scratching the paint while trying to fit the bar into the stem.

 

[Guiri bikes]

Ive got a pair of marin lite handlebars that are scratched to hell. I'm going to give them a good rub down with wet and dry to try and get rid of the marks. But can anyone tell me the best way to polish them after. I'd like to get them really shiny if thats possible.

 

[Benandemu]

Give them to someone who polishes metal for a living. It'll cost you a fiver, and save you a night's rubbing!

In terms of painting aluminium parts, then they either need to be sprayed properly and professionally using etch primer, paint, lacquer, and then baked with the decals under the lacquer, or alternatively powdercoated with decals on top. Powdercoat is super cheap, and dead easy to get powdercoated again if it scratches in the future. Decals would be placed on top, and just keep a few sets spare in case you damaged the decals.