Bare alloy- consequences?
Discussion
I've just bought a frame from eBay- a Cannondale 1FG Ultra.
At some point in its past life it has been sprayed black. Since then it has had a "challenging" life, if the bumps and scrapes are anything to go by.
I like the idea of stripping it back to bare alloy, as I think that will look cool. Well, cooler than it does at the moment anyway.
My question is if I do not then get it lacquered what will happen?
I've run stripped alloy components before with no ill effect, but I am a little cautious as this is the frame, and any sort of corosion would be very obviously a bad thing.
What is the opinion of the PH assembly?
At some point in its past life it has been sprayed black. Since then it has had a "challenging" life, if the bumps and scrapes are anything to go by.
I like the idea of stripping it back to bare alloy, as I think that will look cool. Well, cooler than it does at the moment anyway.
My question is if I do not then get it lacquered what will happen?
I've run stripped alloy components before with no ill effect, but I am a little cautious as this is the frame, and any sort of corosion would be very obviously a bad thing.
What is the opinion of the PH assembly?
In general, bare aluminium is 'OK' because the outer layer of oxide protects the metal under it from further corrosion. It's going to look pretty rubbish though unless you keep polishing it, and that's going to remove the layer of oxide each time so the next layer can corrode. Perhaps you could get the mother of all anodising baths and anodise it?
I could send it to get it lacquered, which would be the best idea it would seem as the idea of an oxide coloured bike does not really appeal!
Other than that I could just get it painted- but that raises the thorny colour choice issue.
I was thinking other than bare alloy a nice deep blue like the Charge single speed of 2007.
Does anyone have any good experiences of frame painters in London?
Other than that I could just get it painted- but that raises the thorny colour choice issue.
I was thinking other than bare alloy a nice deep blue like the Charge single speed of 2007.
Does anyone have any good experiences of frame painters in London?
A bare aluminium bike will simply just start to go a little 'cloudy'.
Cannondales being aluminium respond well to anodising, and if you are friendly with your local engineering works, you can get it anodised very cheaply - just make sure they sand blast off all the dirt and crap from every nook and cranny, otherwise you'll have some unhappy bath operators.
Cannondales respond well to polishing - so consider that and then laquering it afterwards.
Else you can just paint it - Argos are well considered in the UK, and will cost you about £80 plus postage costs
Cannondales being aluminium respond well to anodising, and if you are friendly with your local engineering works, you can get it anodised very cheaply - just make sure they sand blast off all the dirt and crap from every nook and cranny, otherwise you'll have some unhappy bath operators.
Cannondales respond well to polishing - so consider that and then laquering it afterwards.
Else you can just paint it - Argos are well considered in the UK, and will cost you about £80 plus postage costs
What I had considered was getting a large tub of Nitromors, removing the existing paint, then polishing the frame up.
I am concerned that this would be pointless if the frame then oxidised.
Whilst I don't want the frame to look like it has been chromed I'd like to keep it looking nice- so if lacquer is the only option here where could I get a coat applied?
Or is this a simple painting job that I could do and it would not end up looking rubbish?
I am concerned that this would be pointless if the frame then oxidised.
Whilst I don't want the frame to look like it has been chromed I'd like to keep it looking nice- so if lacquer is the only option here where could I get a coat applied?
Or is this a simple painting job that I could do and it would not end up looking rubbish?
I have used Argos a couple of times and will be dropping my latest bike down there in a few weeks time to get the team colours applied. £80 is a touch light on the cost though check out www.argoscycles.co.uk (iirc) for the list of what they do - I warn you it ain't the worlds best website.
Roberts Cycles in Croydon also offer a respraying service - not sure on costs though nor their ability to offer original stickers/transfers. Alternatively you could get it powder coated. Any professional powder coating firm would be able to do your frame.
Roberts Cycles in Croydon also offer a respraying service - not sure on costs though nor their ability to offer original stickers/transfers. Alternatively you could get it powder coated. Any professional powder coating firm would be able to do your frame.
If I get it powder coated then that leads to the next question- how do I prevent paint getting where I do not want it?
I'd need to get the headset out of the frame, and then prevent paint getting inside, same with the bottom bracket.
Also I doubt the headshock would enjoy being filled with paint!
I have a vision of lots of masking tape...
I'd need to get the headset out of the frame, and then prevent paint getting inside, same with the bottom bracket.
Also I doubt the headshock would enjoy being filled with paint!
I have a vision of lots of masking tape...
How the frame is 'masked off' and prep'd for powder coating is the sprayers job. Essentially, they use bungs and plugs. Don't bother doing the prep work yourself. If you want a good, guaranteed job done then get them to do the prepwork. 99% of the time a poor finish starts with bad prepwork and you can't expect a pro to warranty your inadequate prep. It's not a hard job but if you hand over a frame that you say is prep'd, they apply their finish which subsequently starts lifting you don't (realistically) have any comeback.
Get the frame faced up before you hand it over for painting.
I have had no problems with the jobs Argos has done for me although, in the interest of impartiality, they did do a better job on the first one.
Get the frame faced up before you hand it over for painting.
I have had no problems with the jobs Argos has done for me although, in the interest of impartiality, they did do a better job on the first one.
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 24th January 11:07
Hit a bit of a snag with powder coating- they need to put the frame and forks in an oven at 200 degrees for quite a while.
The frame will be fine, the fork will not- it's a fatty headshock.
I don't think that I would be able to get the internals removed, and so they would melt (I suspect).
I suppose I could strip the fork legs myself and then paint them with clearcoat lacquer?
The frame will be fine, the fork will not- it's a fatty headshock.
I don't think that I would be able to get the internals removed, and so they would melt (I suspect).
I suppose I could strip the fork legs myself and then paint them with clearcoat lacquer?
Powdercoat the frame & paint the forks?
Round here is Southampton way. But any local powdercoaters should be able to do it, its easy work for them.
Most local bodyshops will paint frames as well, they are generally around the price of a powdercoating too, and they know how to spray, if you pick a good one.
I'm sure Argos have done some good work, unfortunately everything I have seen, hasn't been, and for the prices they charge, I would expect it to be perfect.
Round here is Southampton way. But any local powdercoaters should be able to do it, its easy work for them.
Most local bodyshops will paint frames as well, they are generally around the price of a powdercoating too, and they know how to spray, if you pick a good one.
I'm sure Argos have done some good work, unfortunately everything I have seen, hasn't been, and for the prices they charge, I would expect it to be perfect.
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