Need Advice on Refinishing a Frame
07-04-18, 01:44 PM
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Need Advice on Refinishing a Frame
I’ve had a frame hanging on my garage wall for years. It’s a Falcon San Remo that I bought when I was in college in the mid 70’s. I rode a lot of miles on it through the early 80’s; I was pretty strong back then, so the 531 straight gauge suited me. I retired the bike in favor of an aluminum Cannondale, but never parted with it.
Lately I’ve been thinking about rebuilding it with some of the stuff I have lying around. The first step would be to restore some semblance of the original Falcon colors, which were primarily powder blue with (I think) contrasting paint on the head and bottom-bracket lugs.
Here’s my question ... what’s the current state of the art in repainting a frame? I had figured I’d have to hand strip it, hit it with a couple coats of self-etching primer, then go from there. Is that the best way to go? Are chemical strippers or sandblasting an option? I’d appreciate any advice ... TIA.
Lately I’ve been thinking about rebuilding it with some of the stuff I have lying around. The first step would be to restore some semblance of the original Falcon colors, which were primarily powder blue with (I think) contrasting paint on the head and bottom-bracket lugs.
Here’s my question ... what’s the current state of the art in repainting a frame? I had figured I’d have to hand strip it, hit it with a couple coats of self-etching primer, then go from there. Is that the best way to go? Are chemical strippers or sandblasting an option? I’d appreciate any advice ... TIA.
07-04-18, 02:45 PM
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I generally shave as much paint off with a single edge razor blade as I can, the wire brush. I have a sandblaster but no booth and it's way to messy for me. I will use chemical strippers on those hard to reach places like the seat lug and bottom bracket, but that's it - again too messy. Following that, I just repair any dings, add braze-ons maybe, and then file ugly parts (all frames seem to have blobs of brazing filler left during manufacturing), finally a good sanding. Painting is something that needs a different thread.
07-04-18, 02:55 PM
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All depends on how much you want to spend. Media blasting should only be done by someone who paints/powder coats bike frames. I've got a guy who will do it for $40 who does powder coating of bikes.
@Hoopdriver's method sounds as good as you need. Dings can be filled with JB weld, let it set overnight, then carefully file/sand it round.
@Hoopdriver's method sounds as good as you need. Dings can be filled with JB weld, let it set overnight, then carefully file/sand it round.
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07-04-18, 03:43 PM
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How difficult is it to media blast a frame but not touch the chrome on seat/chainstays? Just mask it off maybe?
07-04-18, 05:40 PM
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07-05-18, 12:25 AM
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Birds Of A Feather?
I’ve had a frame hanging on my garage wall for years. It’s a Falcon San Remo that I bought when I was in college in the mid 70’s. I rode a lot of miles on it through the early 80’s; I was pretty strong back then, so the 531 straight gauge suited me. I retired the bike in favor of an aluminum Cannondale, but never parted with it.
Lately I’ve been thinking about rebuilding it with some of the stuff I have lying around. The first step would be to restore some semblance of the original Falcon colors, which were primarily powder blue with (I think) contrasting paint on the head and bottom-bracket lugs.
Here’s my question ... what’s the current state of the art in repainting a frame? I had figured I’d have to hand strip it, hit it with a couple coats of self-etching primer, then go from there. Is that the best way to go? Are chemical strippers or sandblasting an option? I’d appreciate any advice ... TIA.
Lately I’ve been thinking about rebuilding it with some of the stuff I have lying around. The first step would be to restore some semblance of the original Falcon colors, which were primarily powder blue with (I think) contrasting paint on the head and bottom-bracket lugs.
Here’s my question ... what’s the current state of the art in repainting a frame? I had figured I’d have to hand strip it, hit it with a couple coats of self-etching primer, then go from there. Is that the best way to go? Are chemical strippers or sandblasting an option? I’d appreciate any advice ... TIA.
I don't want to hijack your thread. I will be opening one for this bike, and if I can find a "Show Me Your Falcon" thread, I'll post to that eventually, too.
I'd sure like to see pictures of your bike!
Last edited by machinist42; 07-05-18 at 12:32 AM.
