Re: Paint, again

"Werehatrack" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]

> As always, bear in mind before removing the old paint that it is very
> difficult to get paint to stick to aluminum; professional shops
> typically use paints that are not practical to obtain in small
> quantities, and they use equipment, preparation methods and other
> materials that are not available to the average amateur.  Unless there
> is some compelling reason to remove the old paint, your best bet is to
> leave it there and paint over it if you must change the color of the
> frame.  In my experience, the chances of getting a durable homebrew
> paint job on bare aluminum are slightly worse than the chances of
> avoiding a puncture when crossing a patch of goat heads.


Your chances of getting a *durable* finish are actually pretty good, if you use
the right products, and follow directions.  Sailboat spars I stripped and
painted 20 years ago still look great.  You can go to West Marine and get all
the stuff you need, in small quantities, and it will "stick to aluminum"
wonderfully.  But by the time you buy all the stripper, prep solution, primer,
paint, thinner, and everything else you need, you'll have spent *at least* $50.
And the finish will not be as even as one applied by a professional painter, who
is well-practiced with a spray gun.  After all that money and effort, your
finish will probably look pretty sad.  It's well worth it to spend another
$50-100 for someone else to do it right, and to avoid the considerable labor and
mess.  Not to mention avoiding the environmental sins you'll commit by disposing
of a pile of stripped paint goo.  A pro painter is (hopefully) equipped to deal
with this too.

Painting bike frames is definately one of those things best left to "the guy who
does that."

The exception is if you're going for a Rustoleum-level finish, which to me is
not worth taking a bike apart for.

Matt O.