Author Topic: Respray  (Read 2626 times)

fmt3

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Respray
« on: September 14, 2020, 06:46:38 pm »
Looking to get my Raven resprayed. Appreciate any advice on company to use. I live close to C and G but have heard good things about Bob Jackson. Would I need to supply transfers? Especially worried about braze on threads being left full of paint. Would they normally be masked off some way?

Many thanks

PH

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Re: Respray
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2020, 07:43:24 pm »
Your Raven will have a powder coat finish, rather than enamel paint, although not perfect it is a lot tougher, the difference has become more noticeable since they removed the harmful chemicals from modern paints.  A modern enamel will look good, but will also be the most fragile, that's OK if you bikes live the sort of pampered life, if they get a bit of abuse, I'd stay clear of enamel which is what the two you mention do.  Looking almost as good as a top enamel job (And IMO better than the majority of them) are the polyurethane paints, this is what the Imron on the current Thorn frames is (Apparently also on most trains!).  As well as looking good it's almost as tough as powder coat. You might have to search around for frame painters offering this, there are a few.  Lastly there's powder coat - there's one near me that are not bike specialists but do a reasonable job, several local CTC members have used them, £50 if it's a colour in stock and £70 if they have to get it in. Bike specialists, of which there are a few, are likely to charge twice that but you have the reassurance that they know what they're doing.
Threads - depends on the finisher and their processes, you have to have a clear discussion with them, though obviously a bike specialist will know what's required.  It isn't unusual to need a tap through the threads to clean them up, a bike shop will do this for you, if you don't want to do it yourself.
decals - paint sprayers will be able to source them, powder coaters are reluctant to cover them, something to do with the temperature you normally bake powder coat on (The clear coat is also powder.
My folder is looking tatty and I may get it powder coated this winter, if so it'll be posted down to Kent for Aurum Finishing to do, they don't have much of a web presence, but I've read plenty of positive reviews and seen a couple of good looking results.

fmt3

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Re: Respray
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2020, 07:50:09 pm »
Many thanks. Will look into polyurethane!

leftpoole

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Re: Respray
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2020, 09:43:23 am »
Without a doubt, based on my many years of restoring bicycles.
Use Argos Racing Cycles in Bristol. Fabulous job done. No need to do anything at all. They supple a box if you want one. They clean. They repair. The paint a fabulous finish with Decals supplied by them under a Lacquer. They return it to you packed to perfection with caring hands.
I do not know what the C or G is for but Argos are well worth what you pay.
Pay for what you get, its up to you.
Powder coat may be OK for some, but it is just so dull and basic.
Treat yourself.
Regards,
John

PH

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Re: Respray
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2020, 10:02:25 am »
Powder coat may be OK for some, but it is just so dull and basic.
You're about twenty years behind the times, powder coat can be as gloss as you like, or have glitter added, or be translucent. You pay for that of course and there's no getting away from it being a thicker coating, which is good for a plain frame but a disadvantage if you have fine detail you'd like to highlight. 
Without in any way disrespecting your experience - Enamel paint isn't what it used to be, there are now laws that restrict the chemicals in it, that's good news for the environment and those who have to work with the stuff, but bad news for those looking for a tough finish.

fmt3

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Re: Respray
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2020, 12:42:18 pm »
Been looking at Armourtex. Anybody had experience with this company?

Thanks for the replies.

PH

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Re: Respray
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2020, 01:36:30 pm »
Been looking at Armourtex. Anybody had experience with this company?

Thanks for the replies.
They used to have a great reputation, then they changed hands and the guy who built that reputation left and set up the company i mentioned upthread - Aurum Finishing.
More recent reviews of Armourtex are mixed.

fmt3

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Re: Respray
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2020, 05:01:57 pm »
Thanks

martinf

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Re: Respray
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2020, 08:03:45 pm »
Argos are well worth what you pay.

I had Argos do a respray on my Woodrup frame.

They did a good job.

It was in 1979 or thereabouts.

So a company with at least 40 years of experience, probably much more.

Aleman

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Re: Respray
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2020, 08:43:03 am »
One thing I noticed about the ARC process, is sure the colour coats are stove enameled, but they then apply 2 coats of Polyuerethane clear coat ... they don't say if that is 1 Pack ( 1K ) or 2 Pack ( 2K ), but in my mind that gives the best of both worlds, the colour rendition of Enamels and the toughness of PU ... with 2K being slightly tougher than 1K.

One thing to bear in mind with PU is that it does take time to fully cure and develop that toughness... up to 4 weeks.

£300 quid for a tandem frame respray? that puts ARC on my watch list for next year when I start the full refurb of my old Dawes supergalaxy twin ... Especially with the attention to detail they outline in the process

leftpoole

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Re: Respray
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2020, 09:36:27 am »
Powder coat may be OK for some, but it is just so dull and basic.
You're about twenty years behind the times, powder coat can be as gloss as you like, or have glitter added, or be translucent. You pay for that of course and there's no getting away from it being a thicker coating, which is good for a plain frame but a disadvantage if you have fine detail you'd like to highlight. 
Without in any way disrespecting your experience - Enamel paint isn't what it used to be, there are now laws that restrict the chemicals in it, that's good news for the environment and those who have to work with the stuff, but bad news for those looking for a tough finish.

Argos do not use Enamel. They use an Acrylic. Argos benefit is basically quality. With Decals applied and threads redone and a warranty.
As I always say, you get what you pay for.
I am not behind the times at all! I am aware of the 'virtues' of powder coating, the firat being, its cheap. Cheap and cheerful but it is not quality.
Example:-   https://www.flickr.com/photos/186990228@N05/49557355877/in/album-72157713209041002/

John
« Last Edit: September 16, 2020, 09:41:30 am by leftpoole »

PH

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Re: Respray
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2020, 03:49:58 pm »
I am not behind the times at all!
Suit yourself, but this
Quote
it is just so dull
may have been true twenty years ago, but now it is simply false.
EDIT - Better link
http://www.hmgpowdercoatings.com/powder-coating/signature-finish-collection
« Last Edit: September 16, 2020, 08:26:10 pm by PH »

leftpoole

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Re: Respray
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2020, 10:31:19 am »
I am not behind the times at all!
Suit yourself, but this
Quote
it is just so dull
may have been true twenty years ago, but now it is simply false.
EDIT - Better link
http://www.hmgpowdercoatings.com/powder-coating/signature-finish-collection


 ;D ;D Do these powder coaters place decals on and lacquer over? Do they retrace all the threads? Do they?
It is of course up to the person wanting to repaint his/her frame, but I have owned a number of bikes over the years, including a great number of Thorn. Thorn have a good finish, but the Imron paint certainly looks  and 'feels' much nicer than those which are powder coat.
It is cost versus satisfaction. For instance there are members of this Forum who let their bikes look like they are scrap, simply to deter thieves! Horrendous indeed!!
John

PH

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Re: Respray
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2020, 11:21:14 pm »

::)
You called it dull, I offer proof that it isn't, you change the criteria...
Have an opinion, who cares, but state things that are measurably false and it will be pointed out.