What type of paint to use for a bike frame

Question

What's the best type of paint to use for painting bike frames, it's steel if that makes a difference?

I want to do a custom paint job and mix a few colours in a gradient effect. Should I use enamel paid, or an off the shelf car paint etc?

Also what paint should I use for an undercoat, a car primer paint ??

many thanks

Argenti Apparatus · Accepted Answer

Basically any paint that could be used on a car will work on a steel bike frame.

The better the paint the more robust it will be. Two-part epoxy based paints or powder coating are probably your best bets, but require specialized equipment. I think there are epoxy paints that do not require curing in an oven but you still need a spray gun.

You can probably use aerosol can paint with a self etching primer, meticulous preparation and good technique.

Adam Rice · Answer

Car paints will work fine, and car primers. There is one brand of paint that comes in rattle-cans and is specifically marketed for repainting bikes.

You could get a powdercoating shop to lay down a base coat--that would probably be inexpensive, and give you a durable protective layer under whatever paint you applied.

Brian · Answer

Eastwood makes a 2k primer & clear coat so I've already primed it with their 2k spray and I plan on mixing my own liquid acrylic and sealing it with the
2k clear coat.

What type of paint to use for a bike frame

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