I was reading in a paint forum, that you could possibly use a certain type of Krylon paint for carbon bikes. Also you could use their Polyurethane or Acrylic Clear coat and sand it smooth.
Any comments on that idea?
Suggestions were to use the spray handle for even distribution of paint.
Just a thought.
honestly, I think you would be better off with automotive grade paint in a can then krylon. There are companies that will put just about any paint you want (including primers with bonding agents) into spray cans for you.
A few thoughts:
regardless what you choose to do, stick to a single brand from primer to clear. Applying one brand over top of the other, even if it is color over primer, or clear over color, is asking for trouble. It can be as mild as deeper orange peel or as bad as all the paint cracking off. I’ve seen it and it’s not pretty.
Cut your surfaces. Wet sand the carbon clear coat with 1000 grit such that it looks glossy when wet but matte when dry. When you spray the primer and color, allow to cure then wet sand with 1000 or 2000 grit, depending on how bad the orange peel is. After you spray the clear, wet sand with the finest grit paper you can find and allow to fully cure (I give 48 hours in a climate controlled env). The cutting actually allows the leftover solvents in the paint to evap out easier and gives you a stronger final paint job (and makes it prettier). To bring your clear up to a shine, use progressive grades of rubbing compound and finally polishing compound and a high quality wax.
Clean your surfaces well. Before starting to paint, blow the surface off with compressed air, then wipe down with acetone. Once clean, don’t touch the surface with bare hands (use gloves).
You don’t need a spray handle. In my experience they limit control of the valve. Use even back and forth strokes to put down very light layers of paint. The valve will spatter a little when you first press it and release it, so make sure to start and end your pass well away from the surface you are painting. If you are doing it right, you shouldn’t start to see solid color until you have 5 or 6 passes. Once you get a light, even coat, allow it to sit for the ‘tack’ time listed for the paint. If you let it sit much longer then the tack time, you will have to let is sit for the cure time. For all of the paints I’ve used it’s approx 20 min and 24 hours respectively.
I second the automotive grade paint. As for sticking to one brand, it matters less- as long as you use the right clear for the paint type. I would not sand the clear coat unless there’s imperfections when you sprayed it. Even then, I’d just use cutting(or rubbing) compound like you do on vehicles. Personally I prefer a spray gun with a nice air compressor. It’s more even IMO. However, if you’re good with spray cans, then stick with that. It’s really a personal preference(if you’ve never done either, spray guns are definitely easier to handle)
Sounds good. Scratch the Krylon job.
Thanks.
In my search for answers. I did find a very good, customer friendly powder coating company called Creative Candy Powder Coating
www.creativecandy.org. I sent an e-mail about carbon fiber, Marc responded in less than 24hrs. All there prices are online and tons of color option. When I get a new roadie, Im sending my ride here. Plus their close, in GA.