Prepping for rattle-can

[curt698]

Hey guys, my project has come to a complete halt as I wait for a part to get fabbed up. While I am busy doing nothing I thought I'd start painting a few odds and ends. I have ZERO experience painting metal so I'm looking for a little advice. The parts I'm going to start with are the fork lowers and the top and bottom trees.

I have a wire wheel attachment for my drill and I thought I'd start there to knock of the old paint. After that I'm not sure how to go about prepping to get good adhesion. Also do you guys hit stuff with some sort of a clear after spraying parts?

Thanks,
Dave

[spyug]

Careful with the powered wire brush unless it has brass bristles, it could gouge the aluminum. Better course would be paint stripper followed by 600 wet and dry. Wipe off with paint thinner or mineral spirits prior to paint.

You can undercoat but if you use an off the shelf "rust" type paint it will stick fine without.

For topcoat of clear, you will need a urethane 2 part as it is the only stuff that will hold up to chemicals like gas. Duplicolour clear and that kind of stuff is not gas resistant no matter what they say. Check out your local auto paint supplier as many now carry spray bombs that they can load with a urethane paint and the appropriate hardner.

Show us what you can do.

Cheers,
spyug

[curt698]

Do you bother with a top coat or does Rustolium or whatever hold up with out it?

[malloy]

95% of my bike is powdercoated gloss black. my fork tubes cracked so I had to purchase another set from ebay. I didn't have the time or money to have the new forks recoated so I spray painted them. they look as good as the powdercoat and you cannot tell the difference. here is my advice to you.. I use to be hardcore duplicolor fan, I tried rustoleum and i think it's much better. it's cheaper, goes on better and is more chip and scratch resistant.

try this.... do not wire wheel your forks. it's too aggresive. get some aircraft stripper in a can and spray it on, wait 10 mins and the old clearcoat will come off. wash with soapy water and dry. do a light sand with 400 or 600 grit and clean again with soapy water. do a final wiper down with alochol.. don't skimp on this.. alumium is porous and it likes to absorb stuff. I even go as far as baking the part in the oven for 30 mins to release all the crap, then clean again. after cleaning, spray 3-5 even coats following can directions and that's it. I didn't clear coat mine forks and they looks great. the rustoleum paint has UV and rust protection in it. be gentle with the parts for about a week or so.. the paint will be kinda of soft for the 1st week and will scratch easy. after it fully cures it's much harder.I can post pics if you like.

[curt698]

malloy,

Thanks for the advise! I will try it soon.

Dave