Reporting on ceramic coat for bikes
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 158
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Reporting on ceramic coat for bikes
I had asked here a while ago on ceramic coats on bikes. I had experience (good) in cars.
My bike is matte but I ended up coating it. Is a new bike and want to protect the pain.
After 3 months, I can say is worth it. Just as with cars, dirt does not get stuck as much, the coat does not affect the color or texture of the paint.
Will likely protect from swirls when washing (to some degree) but very unlikely to give any protection with chips. So if you ride in gravel, would still recommend paint protection film.
I got a Mr Beasley but Im sure most manufactures with a reputation are ok. If you have a matte bike, make sure to use matte coating though.
Hope this helps.
My bike is matte but I ended up coating it. Is a new bike and want to protect the pain.
After 3 months, I can say is worth it. Just as with cars, dirt does not get stuck as much, the coat does not affect the color or texture of the paint.
Will likely protect from swirls when washing (to some degree) but very unlikely to give any protection with chips. So if you ride in gravel, would still recommend paint protection film.
I got a Mr Beasley but Im sure most manufactures with a reputation are ok. If you have a matte bike, make sure to use matte coating though.
Hope this helps.
#2
Senior Member
Interesting, thanks for the report!
I recently had my new car ceramic coated (at a shop, so it was expensive) but I did the wheels myself with a product that came in a little spray bottle. Of course, immediately I had the desire to use it on my bike also. I'll have to remove the wax that is on it already (unless it has already worn off itself...). Something to try this weekend!
I recently had my new car ceramic coated (at a shop, so it was expensive) but I did the wheels myself with a product that came in a little spray bottle. Of course, immediately I had the desire to use it on my bike also. I'll have to remove the wax that is on it already (unless it has already worn off itself...). Something to try this weekend!
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,238
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,539 Times
in
7,329 Posts
Cut out the paint middle man. Cerakote ceramic coating for FTW!
#4
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,108
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3430 Post(s)
Liked 3,566 Times
in
1,792 Posts
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,238
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,539 Times
in
7,329 Posts
A (of not the) major consumer application is coating/coloring firearms. Check out all their colors. The Robins Egg Blue was adopted as an official color after my frame builder had it mixed for a bike he built for himself.
Cerakote.com - Global Leader in Thin-Film Ceramic Coatings | Cerakote
This guy did the actual application.
Home Page (paintbytodd.com)
Likes For indyfabz:
#6
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,986
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
But I still have to wipe my bike down every now and then don't I? My Tarmac still looks good after 16 months and it is just factory finish.
I guess what I'm asking is how much easier is it to wipe off the grime. Or is that not the purpose?
I guess what I'm asking is how much easier is it to wipe off the grime. Or is that not the purpose?
#7
Senior Member
If I understand it correctly, it is a lot like a good car wax.... Rain or water beads up and rolls right off, taking the dust with it. A car with a good coat of wax stays cleaner longer and is easier to clean.... And even more so with a ceramic coating which is even slicker and lasts longer.
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 158
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
There are different types. The ones that last longer and give more protection are sold only to installers as if you ess up the installation, is difficult to repair it and is much harder to apply
The "consumer" ones are easier to apply but usually last 2-3 years. At least in cars.
Bikes is a bit different as they are usually not exposed to as many elements as cars so a consumer product like opti gloss would work fine and likely last for a long time, especially if you just ride on roads and don't leave the bike outside.
Before applying, you MUST remove all oils, wax, etc. You need a paint cleaner for that. Is not enough to wash with regular bike soap. The coat will not bond to the pain if you don't prep it correctly.
In glossy paints, especially older ones, would recommend clay and potentially buff scratches off before coating it. Matte pain, you can't polish. So just try to decontaminate the pain as much as you can and make sure you use a matte coat. Thats why is ideal to do it when the bike is new.
The "consumer" ones are easier to apply but usually last 2-3 years. At least in cars.
Bikes is a bit different as they are usually not exposed to as many elements as cars so a consumer product like opti gloss would work fine and likely last for a long time, especially if you just ride on roads and don't leave the bike outside.
Before applying, you MUST remove all oils, wax, etc. You need a paint cleaner for that. Is not enough to wash with regular bike soap. The coat will not bond to the pain if you don't prep it correctly.
In glossy paints, especially older ones, would recommend clay and potentially buff scratches off before coating it. Matte pain, you can't polish. So just try to decontaminate the pain as much as you can and make sure you use a matte coat. Thats why is ideal to do it when the bike is new.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 158
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I used the matte version of this
https://www.drbeasleys.com/nano-resin.html
You can find more info there. I have no commercial interest with that specific brand. They happen to have matte coats.
https://www.drbeasleys.com/nano-resin.html
You can find more info there. I have no commercial interest with that specific brand. They happen to have matte coats.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,545
Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1528 Post(s)
Liked 718 Times
in
510 Posts
Hmm, what happens if you put matt over gloss...?
And if it needs baking, can it be used on carbon?
And if it needs baking, can it be used on carbon?
#11
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,440
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3143 Post(s)
Liked 1,707 Times
in
1,031 Posts
Ceramic coatings do not need baked.
Applying a non-matte coating over a matte finish will level the finish somewhat and make it more reflective, not necessarily glossy (since the ceramic is so thin), but more satin. Do multiple coats, though, and it’ll get glossy.
Relatedly, I’ve used Gyeon Can Coat ceramic coating on one of my painted bikes, and while it’s great, it’s more a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist than anything else. Add in the cost, and it’s pretty stupid. I do my cars in ceramic coatings, so I have leftovers for the bikes making cost a non-issue, but as the OP said, bikes just don’t see the same type of exposure as cars, so it’s largely unnecessary.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,238
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18415 Post(s)
Liked 15,539 Times
in
7,329 Posts
The baking required Cerakote was confusingly entered into the discussion upthread, and is a different type of ceramic than the OP is talking about. Generally speaking, Cerakote is a ceramic finish, whereas the OP is talking about a ceramic coating (designed to go over a finish).
Ceramic coatings do not need baked.
Applying a non-matte coating over a matte finish will level the finish somewhat and make it more reflective, not necessarily glossy (since the ceramic is so thin), but more satin. Do multiple coats, though, and it’ll get glossy.
Relatedly, I’ve used Gyeon Can Coat ceramic coating on one of my painted bikes, and while it’s great, it’s more a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist than anything else. Add in the cost, and it’s pretty stupid. I do my cars in ceramic coatings, so I have leftovers for the bikes making cost a non-issue, but as the OP said, bikes just don’t see the same type of exposure as cars, so it’s largely unnecessary.
Ceramic coatings do not need baked.
Applying a non-matte coating over a matte finish will level the finish somewhat and make it more reflective, not necessarily glossy (since the ceramic is so thin), but more satin. Do multiple coats, though, and it’ll get glossy.
Relatedly, I’ve used Gyeon Can Coat ceramic coating on one of my painted bikes, and while it’s great, it’s more a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist than anything else. Add in the cost, and it’s pretty stupid. I do my cars in ceramic coatings, so I have leftovers for the bikes making cost a non-issue, but as the OP said, bikes just don’t see the same type of exposure as cars, so it’s largely unnecessary.
In any event, in case anyone is considering Cerakote for a custom frame, Enve will still honor its fork warranty on carbon forks after the application of a Cerakote finish as long as you don't bake the thing at unnecessarily high temperature. At least that was the case 5 years ago.
Likes For indyfabz:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,427
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4405 Post(s)
Liked 4,856 Times
in
3,004 Posts
It is really an alternative to wax in what it actually achieves i.e. UV protection, slightly easier cleaning etc. The main difference is that it is semi-permanent and can last for several years. It does NOT protect against stone chips, scratches, or even swirls to any significant degree. I had one of our cars professionally ceramic coated from new and it was okay, but nothing special. Saved waxing it for a couple of years, but I wouldn't bother again.
There are now some decent DIY ceramic sprays available - Turtle Wax have a ceramic spray and their latest and greatest includes "graphene", so must be cool! I've been using it on my wife's new car and it seems to work very well. Haven't tried it on my bikes as I don't really see much point, but now I've seen this thread I might squirt some on my road bike frame next time I clean it up.
#14
Senior Member
There are now some decent DIY ceramic sprays available - Turtle Wax have a ceramic spray and their latest and greatest includes "graphene", so must be cool! I've been using it on my wife's new car and it seems to work very well. Haven't tried it on my bikes as I don't really see much point, but now I've seen this thread I might squirt some on my road bike frame next time I clean it up.