If the paint on your bike is worn or peeling, give it a new, shiny look by spraying fresh paint on it. Luckily, you can handle it yourself without having to hire someone else. With the right tools and free time, you can paint your bike and make it look like new and shiny, as if it was designed especially for you.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Disassembling and Preparing the Bike
Step 1. Disassemble the bike until only the frame remains
Remove the wheels, crank the right and left pedals, bottom bracket, front and rear gears, brakes, chain, handlebars, saddle and front fork. If you are attaching something to the bicycle (such as a water bottle holder), remove the device as well.
Place the screws and small bicycle parts in a labeled plastic bag to make it easier for you to put them back together later
Step 2. Remove the label or decal (a type of sticker) on the bicycle frame
If it's old and stuck tightly, you may have a hard time removing it. If you can't take it off, use a hairdryer or a heat gun (a tool like a hairdryer, but can give off a lot of heat) to warm it up. When warmed, the adhesive on the label loosens so you can remove it from the bike frame more easily.
If you can't remove it with your fingers, try using a caulk to pry it off the frame
Step 3. Clean the bike frame before sanding
If there is still glue residue from the decal, spray WD-40 on the frame and wipe off the residue with a rag.
Step 4. Sand the bike frame so that the paint to be sprayed can stick easily
If the frame has a heavy coat of paint or has been given a glossy coat on top of the paint, use a coarse sandpaper. If the bike frame has a matte (doff type) or no coating, use fine sandpaper.
Step 5. Wipe all parts of the bike clean
Use a cloth and soapy water to do this.
Step 6. Apply tape to the parts of the frame that you don't want to paint
Some parts of the frame that should not be painted:
- Brake place.
- Bearing surface.
- Any part of the bike that is used as a place to attach something using screws (when you reassemble it).
Part 2 of 3: Hanging or Tying the Bike Frame
Step 1. Take the bicycle frame to be painted outdoors
If you can't do it outdoors, make sure the room you're in is well ventilated, for example by opening the garage door (if you're using this space). Place a tarp or newsprint on the floor to catch the paint drips. Also prepare safety glasses and face masks.
Step 2. Hang the frame by wrapping a rope or wire through the main tube
If you're painting your bike outdoors, use something as a place to hang rope or wire, such as a tree branch or rafters on a patio. If you're working indoors, hang rope or wire from the ceiling. The main goal is to hang the bike frame in a place where you can easily surround it and paint from all sides.
Step 3. Place the frame on the table if it is impossible for you to hang it
Insert the broom or stick handle into the main frame hole, then clamp the wand against the table so that the frame can be lifted safely in the air on one side of the table.
If you don't have a table, place the bike frame on a bench, seat, or other object that can lift the frame off the floor
Part 3 of 3: Painting and Reassembling the Bike
Step 1. Use a good quality spray paint to paint the bike frame
Purchase a spray paint specifically designed for metal online or at a hardware store. Don't use cheap paint, as this can make the coating on the bike frame look uneven.
- Never mix different brands of spray paint. Paints from different brands can react badly when mixed.
- If you want a matte (not glossy) bike frame, use a spray paint labeled "matte finish" on the can.
Step 2. Spray the first coat of paint on the frame
Position the paint can about 30 cm from the frame when you spray it, and keep your movement constant. Do not spray paint continuously on one area because the paint will clump and drip. Move the paint over all parts of the frame until the entire surface of the frame is covered with paint.
Don't worry if the old paint is still visible when you apply the first coat of paint. Later you'll be spraying a few more thin coats of paint again to form one thick coat so that the old paint will be covered with the new coat
Step 3. Allow the first coat of paint to dry for 15 to 30 minutes before you apply the second coat
When the first coat is completely dry, repeat the painting process by spraying the second coat thinly and evenly over the entire frame.
Step 4. Continue spraying until the old paint on the bike frame is completely gone
Always wait 15 to 30 minutes before applying a new coat of paint. The number of coats required depends on the color and type of paint used. If the old paint or metal on the bike frame is no longer visible, and the new paint is evenly distributed, the painting is complete.
Step 5. Spray a coat of clear paint to protect the bike frame from rust and make it look brand new
Wait a few hours after painting before you apply the protective clear paint. When the frame is completely dry, spray an even coat of clear paint over the entire frame, as you did in the previous step.
For best results, apply three coats of clear paint. Wait for the clear coat to dry for 15 to 30 minutes before you apply the next coat
Step 6. Allow the frame to dry for 24 hours
During this period, do not touch or move it. If you are painting it outdoors, pay attention to the weather and move the frame indoors carefully when it rains. When the frame is completely dry, continue the process and remove the tape you attached in the previous step.
Step 7. Reassemble the bike
Reassemble all the bicycle parts that you disassembled in the previous step, such as the wheels, bottom bracket, chain, right and left pedal cranks, front and rear gears, brakes, handlebars, saddle, and front fork. Now your new looking bike is ready to go!
Tips
- For best results, use a good quality spray paint.
- If the old paint layer is difficult to remove with sandpaper, you can speed up the process using a paint remover solution.
