Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I neglected to mention previously....RobE30 did a very nice job on that primer.

rookgirl

Why the contact paper? Everything else sounds good to me (but what do I know?), but I don't know about the paper. I like the matte finish too. Could you matte clear coat it?

Ciufalon

I'm with rookgirl. I like the matte finish, think it looks great. Don't think the contact paper idea sounds that good. It sure is a nice bike.

Charles Wahl

Tom, if you really want to use some sheet material, how about some of the model airplane covering that is heat-shrinkable? I don't know whether it would be better to shrink it first (hair dryer used with care) and then cut around the lugs, or vice-versa -- you'd have to experiment a little.

91MF

Tom I think you have over-thought the finishing touches on this bike -- to the point where you think putting wall paper on your bike is a good idea.
sixtys worked because it was coffee labels and they were from the local coffee shop he frequented. just because you go to the dentist tho it doesn't mean you should make your bike look like the vinyl flooring in the waiting room. forreals no offence.

noglider 

OK, so you think the primer I have makes some kind of good look? I'm quite willing to try that. And wouldn't a clear coat over that result in a non-matte finish?

ColonelJLloyd 

I think there are satin (not glossy) clear coats. That might look really good.

noglider 

OK, I'll visit the paint store and the hobby shop. Thanks for the suggestions. Saving trouble on the finish is definitely a worthy goal.

noglider 

I forgot to put the link to my photo album. I might update the album before I update this thread.

Many pictures are duplicates. My iphone was in HDR mode, which stores two pictures with each shot I take. That was an accident, though it was interesting.

rhm

Tom, since you are (a) willing to consider alternate finishes, such as contact paper, and (b) interested in utility cycling anyway, I would suggest you consider reflective tape. You can get "engineering grade" reflective tape in widths up to 4" in primary colors that I find quite attractive, but a 4" x 50 yard roll is a bit expensive compared to, say, a 1" x 50 yard roll. I've used the white, which is an opalescent pearl kind of color, and red. It takes well to simple curves like bicycle frames. The lighter colors --white, yellow-- reflect more brightly than dark colors, but I'm told the "black" also reflects very brightly.

Leaving the bike in primer is, I think, a bad idea. Primer is formulated for stuff to stick to it, like paint, but also grease and dirt and whatnot. It may look good for a little while (but maybe not), but it will most definitely look like crap after you've ridden it for a while.

A good compromise, I think, would be to do some major portions of the bike in reflective tape, and then paint some of the trickier areas --brake bridge, bottom bracket, cable stops, etc-- with a matching enamel.

Or do the whole thing in enamel, applied with a brush. If the primer is good, the finish should be tough enough, and it can definitely look good.

As for that mustache headbadge, don't listen to those jokers. They're pulling your leg.

I used to get mine from www.identitape.com, but they seem to have changed their address to www.findtape.com

Velognome 

Clear coated my sons primer ratbike last year and it still looks good, dirt washes off.

Great utility bike idea.


No!!!! I think its a cool idea.

KonAaron Snake 

+1...I was being serious. I think custom head badges rock, especially for builds like Tom is envisioning. That mustache would be AWESOME.

I feel pretty confident speaking for everyone else that we think it's cool, and not pulling any legs.

rhm

You think it's a cool idea for your bike, or for someone else's?

Tom, I will make you a custom headbadge. Plastic, aluminum, or copper. I know pure gold would be nice, but I don't have any. I'm also a cheapskate, I'm sure you'll understand.

KonAaron Snake 

If I had Tom's signature stache'? Absolutely I'd put that on a bike like this. It has character and style. I've been hoping to get my paws on a quality, bare frame so I can do a custom headbadge...I keep oscillating between the flying spaghetti monster and a star of david fish.

Velognome 

Or maybe Mustache bars

seriously, the stache badge is a great idea

Epicus07

Yes. We were not joking about the bike stache.

Velognome 

Ohhhh....I got me an idea that involves a mini Garden Gnome and a dremel tool! I hope CVS isn't sold out.

rhm

CVS dremel tools suck.

jimmuller 

Like the headbadge idea! But that frame look superb in that green primer. Sure you want to CP it?

Velognome 

Out of Stock, gonna step up to Wallgreens I guess?

noglider 

I'm entertaining all of the ideas here. I like the mustache head badge, but I'm apprehensive about having a badge protrude from the frame.

I have TWO pairs of mustache handlebars, and I forgot about it, so yes, I definitely should put a pair on this bike!

rhm, I'll consider the reflective tape idea. Mind you, I'm not skilled at stuff like this. Could you provide more detail on what material to use, how to apply it, and where to apply it? I've read randyjawa's article on painting a bike with a brush and am probably willing to try that on all or part of the frame.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

roll in the big guns buddy.

Velognome 

Have it wrap the tube....sooo cool!

Grand Bois

If you like a matte finish, use matte urethane auto paint. It was developed because primer does not hold up as a topcoat. I use Hotrod Flatz.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hot+r...2&ved=0CEMQsAQ

noglider 

Thanks for that suggestion. I wasn't aiming for a matte finish. It's the other guys here who are praising it. But who knows; I might like it.