how to Paint fork legs ?

E

eran_k

Been Around the Block
I want to paint my forks satin black, I used a wire wheel to remove the old paint and they are dull and kinda "scratched".
what do i need to do to get them ready for paint?
i'll use automotive paint (there's a place that makes aerosols with ppg paint ready for use), do i need a primer on the parts since they are aluminum?
can they be powder coated instead? do i need the same level of surface prep for powder coating or it can be less smooth since PC is thicker then spray paint?

Thanks
Eran
 
Powder would be my number one choice. If you use paint, use a curable paint like epoxy. VHT makes an aerosol satin epoxy. It doesn't require primer. I would clean the part really well with denatured alcohol and even better if you can pre bake it in an oven, or a parked car in the sun. That cast alloy is porous and will weep fork oil longer than you'd think. The heat will bring it out. Paint with the epoxy, then sit in the hot car again for a couple of days. Fully cure in a week. Very durable.

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Like Kiley said...I used appliance epoxy to paint mine w great results...Last summer or before.

You have probably created a hell of a lot of work for yourself by using the wire wheel. shoulda just went w cheap stripper. The scratches will show through epoxy and maybe powder. I would sand the heck out of em. I polished mine. then scrubbed em w a fine scotchbrite pad with lacquer thinner. more than once. to work the oil out of the metal. No chips or flaking yet.

who doesnt like a "cheap stripper"?
 
I used this in satin with excellent results. Durable and easy to spray

http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/rollbarchassis/
 
Powder coating is far superior to painting them. I just did mine this weekend. Run them through a heat cycle of about 450*f for about 45 minutes to an hour after cleaning them well. Media blast them with a fine grit sand and then coat them what ever color you like. Wire wheel sanding scratches will not show through powder.
 
o1marc said:
Powder coating is far superior to painting them. I just did mine this weekend. Run them through a heat cycle of about 450*f for about 45 minutes to an hour after cleaning them well. Media blast them with a fine grit sand and then coat them what ever color you like. Wire wheel sanding scratches will not show through powder.
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I might have to send my bike to georgia when I get done and ready to paint it.
 
IAMBLAMB said:
I might have to send my bike to georgia when I get done and ready to paint it.
Click to expand...

Paint is a dirty word in our business, we powder coat. ;)
I pulled it apart today and put another coat on the forks making them a shade darker. I'll post a pic tomorrow.
 
Paint isn't a dirty word. I painted my forks. Clean, lightly sand. Primeer, Aluminum colored paint, Matte Clearcoat. As durable as Powdercoat? No way. But if it scratches, I have plenty of paint left...I can repaint them, or touch up easily....

Regardless of paint or powdercoat, surface prep is the way to get good results.

Paint should be primed....
 
mydlyfkryzis said:
Apint isn't a dirty word. I painted my forks. Clean, lightly sand. Primeer, Aluminum colored paint, Matte Clearcoat. As durable as Powdercoat? No way. But if it scratches, I have plenty of paint left...I can repaint them, or touch up easily....

Regardless of paint or powdercoat, surface prep is the way to get good results.

Paint should be primed....
Click to expand...

You mean "when" it scratches. People who don't understand powder coating are quick to rationalize why they settle for paint. Powder coating is so much more durable than paint that need to "fix" it is minimized because it doesn't scratch like paint does. Chips or scratches in powder can be repaired the same as you would paint. There are a number of ways to touch it up and it can be sanded and buffed out just like paint.
 
I understand Powder Coating. I understand it costs more than a rattle can of paint.
The rationalization is in my wallet.

So paint scratches, big deal. My bike rotted away in a damp garage for 24 years. The paint was awful. PC would of fell off too.
A little scotchbrite, sandpaper, and some rattle can paint and they look nice. As nice as powder coat? probably not. As nice as I like it, yes!
Since you are a Powder Coater, I can't help to think your opinion on PC is a little biased too.

I'll probably powder coat my frame, but the rest? paint will do.

Everything scratches, everything deteriorates, The bike lasted 37 years with paint, it will last a little longer with fresh paint.

I ride my bike. It is shiny, but that will fade. Powder coat or not. I can paint, but PC is a little more than my budget cares for when paint will do quite nicely.
 
I totally understand your dilemma. Just don't bad mouth powder because you can't afford it. I am not biased towards powder because I do it, I do it because I am biased towards the process of powder coating.
 
o1marc said:
Paint is a dirty word in our business, we powder coat. ;)
I pulled it apart today and put another coat on the forks making them a shade darker. I'll post a pic tomorrow.
Click to expand...
I totally understand your dilemma. Just don't bad mouth powder because you can't afford it.
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You bad mouthed Paint. I said paint is cheaper. Saying paint is cheaper is not bad mouthing PC

I can afford PC. But I can't justify the cost. It's a value proposition. Value being the cost, looks and longevity of PC versus paint. Paint is cheaper. cheaper enough that I can re-paint my little scratches and still be cheaper than PC.

A professional paint job is actually more expensive then a professional PC. However, a rattle can paint job is far cheaper then both./ I can rattle can in my back yard. I can't PC in my backyard and the cost of PC equipment needed for a front fork and a couple of engine cases drives the cost way out of range of a rattle can that looks fine.

You pay for your PC equipment with sales. Since I am only working on my bike, there is no real value in PC equipment purchase to PC my bike, and the cost of having you or someone else do it does not bring value to my table.

Paint is fine. PC is fine. Rattle can paint is cheap.

I spent about $20 total on paint/primer/clearcoat. I painted my forks and my hubs and still have enough left over for the engine cases. How much would it cost to PC my 2 fork legs. If you can do it for less than $20, then I might consider it. But the shipping alone would exceed that.

So for a DIY type project, rattle can paint is the value leader. PC and Pro Painting are fine for a showpiece. My bike is for riding. When the rock chips and bug splats get bad, I'll just repaint.
 
I didn't bad mouth paint, I merely said paint is a dirty word in my business. There is no advantage to paint over powder except your wallet. You get what you pay for. It's like walking into a Chevrolet dealer and asking for a Mustang. Doesn't mean the Mustang is a bad car, but the Chevy dealer doesn't want to hear you asking for a Ford there.
 
Who wants to pull their forks apart and repaint?? Powder coat is where its at for front forks, forks take a lot of abuse...
 
Just powdered mine the other day. Threw them in the oven and bingo. Took a while to mask off the polished parts though.
 

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For the home guy on a budget, PC is a tough sell. I have been talking to a friend about investing in a setup that we could grow, and doing small parts for people on the side. The startup cost is a hit, but I could certainly get into bolting something on an hour after the prep work was done. :)
 
For the DIY you can started for as little as $100 or $150 for a starter kit from Eastwood. Check Craigslist or Freecycle for a used electric oven and you can be coating basic parts. All you need is a compressor. There's a whole lot more to it than this but for basic small parts that's all you need.
 
All you need to rattle can is $20

I am buying a replacement compressor.

$200
PC. Starter $100

An oven ????? Even a toaster oven is cheap, but forks won't fit in any toaster oven I've seen

Rattle can is easy and cheap

Honda paints the forks and they last long enough.

PC is nice. But not cheap

Pc if you have the $ and/or equipment. Rattle can if you don't. Or. Polish them, even nicer.








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