How to Refinish and Paint a Bicycle Frame

Whether you're working on that '78 Raleigh Colt project bike or just wanting to fix up your little sister's ride, the skills you need to refinish and paint bikes are useful and easy to learn. Some, such as the refinishing skills, you can even use for other projects, such as repairing the paint on a car or other smooth painted metal surface.

Things You'll Need

  • Degreaser
  • Paint remover or sandpaper
  • Gloves
  • Face mask
  • Cardboard or drop cloth
  • Primer
  • Paint
  • Air spray paint gun or spray paint
  • Sealant
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Instructions

  1. Refinish

    • 1

      Wash your bike with a degreaser and remove everything from the frame. Pay extra attention to the area around the tires and chain, which tend to be greasier.

    • 2

      Apply a paint remover gel or liquid or use sandpaper to strip the old paint. Do any of these things in a well ventilated area and wear appropriate safety gear such as gloves or masks.

    • 3

      Remove all of the old paint and any solvents you have used and allow the clean frame to dry.

    Paint

    • 4

      Lay the clean frame on its side on a piece of cardboard or drop cloth.

    • 5

      Apply a primer or a base coat to your frame and allow it to dry.

    • 6

      Prepare your paint. This may mean mixing your paint if you are using a special type, such as a glitter or glow in the dark paint, or simply pouring the paint into your airbrush machine. There are also commercially available canned spray paints made specifically for bikes.

    • 7

      Apply the paint using an air spray machine. Stand about a foot and a half from the frame to start, and observe how the paint falls on the bike to adjust your position. If the paint speckles you are too far, but if it puddles you are too close and should wipe off the wet paint before trying from farther away. Do one side of the frame at a time and wait for it to dry completely before turning it over and doing the other side.

    • 8

      Apply a second coat of paint. When both have dried apply a layer of sealant.