LexRides

DHB · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

I've heard that fingernail polish is durable and does well for tracing around lugs. Anyone done anything like this?

sailorjames · cutter Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 329

Next time I see a girl with fingernail polish, i'll bash her finger with a U-lock and let you know the results. Smile

DHB · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject:

DHB · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

I just got a frame back from Metal Cleaners. That place is solid. $75 to have a frame and two flop n' chops stripped and painted, and all in two days. The guys were pretty nice this time too.

When I dropped it off I forgot to tell them to mask off the BB/ head tube/ seat tube, so I was expecting to have to do a lot of scraping once I got it back. But I'll be damned if they didn't do all that for me. They even masked off where the stem clamps to the bars.

The paint also seems really durable. It's not hard and flaky like I thought it would be, so it could probably take a hit pretty well and not chip, although I'm not quite willing to test it.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

DHB · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

If you do take a frame in to get powdercoated then make sure there isn't anything aluminum on it, because apparently anything aluminum will melt during the process. The last frame I had frame powdercoated the guy was worried that the rivets holding in the head badge were going to melt. While I didn't really care if the head badge stayed or went, some people might be more picky about their bike.

Also, they get rid of all the rust on the frame for you before they powdercoat, or else the stuff won't stick. I wish I had known that before I spent an hour attacking my frame with a grinder and wire wheel.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

you should post some pics... I'm interested to see what those bars look like powdercoated.

drewbles · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject:

[quote="DHB"]If you do take a frame in to get powdercoated then make sure there isn't anything aluminum on it, because apparently anything aluminum will melt during the process.

Does this in turn mean that an aluminum frame would melt during the process? I've got a cannondale that needs some serious help regarding paint and it's full aluminum.

sailorjames · cutter Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 329

[quote="drewbles"]

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

if it were my frame, I would only consider powder coating if the frame in question was made of steel. Reason being, powder coat is an extremely durable protective coating for a metal that is prone to rusting if exposed (steel).

If your frame is aluminum (which won't rust if the paint gets chipped or scratched), why not just get a quality paint job, or repaint it yourself?

sailorjames · cutter Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 329

If you plan on doing it yourself, do as much research as you can on it. From what I've read, aluminum sounds tricky to paint, paint just doesn't want to bond to it unless it's very well prepped. I'd say take it to a professional to save yourself the grief/money.

oskarkat · Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 9 Location: lexington

K&W Powder Coat has done great work for me in the past, unlike metalcleaners inc. they want your business, have great prices, and will get custom colors for you. That MCI guy is an ass. K&W 963-6951

bryant · hipster Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 111

i thought the dude at metal cleaners was pretty cool...