Respraying bike?

[LDN]

What is the process for this? I've just bought a nice bike on eBay that has seen better days and I'd like to get it gleaming. It's full suspension so I'm unsure as to what would be involved. Do the linkages have to be taken apart so that it's just the bare frame left - no bearings or pivots intact?

I'd like to pay someone to do this rather than attempt it myself. Any recommendations?

[uncinqsix]

Probably better to strip it completely and get it powder coated. It isn't very expensive, and will look much better/be much harder wearing than a DIY paint job.

[LDN]

uncinqsix said:

Probably better to strip it completely and get it powder coated. It isn't very expensive, and will look much better/be much harder wearing than a DIY paint job.

Where would one get this done? Any bike specific places that are known to be good?

[uncinqsix]

LDN said:

Where would one get this done? Any bike specific places that are known to be good?

They tend to be stand alone businesses that just do powdercoating. Have a quick Google for local ones and choose the biggest and most professional looking crowd. Or see if there are any that are recommended on motorbike forums.

[P-Jay]

Can be difficult, Argos (not the catalogue people) are on of the big names in frame painting, I've seen some of their stuff, the quality of the job is great, but IMHO the paint they use is dull / flat, I don't know why but, it's just not very 'exciting'. They also want everything stripped off (headset, bearings etc) or they charge pretty fat fees to remove them all, and the same again to refit it.

Powder coating is better, the colours are brighter and it's harder wearing, pick a good one though or you'll end up with powder coated threads etc and it'll be a nightmare to put right, plus you'll need the frame re-faced as well.