How To Paint A Bike Frame

By keeping some basic guidelines in mind, you can learn how to paint a bike frame. No matter if you are interested in selling your bike, or simply want to update its look, painting your bike frame can drastically change its appearance. When painting your bike frame, be sure to allow yourself enough time to do a thorough job. Rushing through this process will not produce optimal results.

1. Before actually painting your bike frame, you must first decide what color you would like the bike to be. Head to your local hardware store, and buy a canister of rust-proof paint in the color you determined.
2. Wash the bike frame, and sand carefully. Ideally, you should use a power sander to sand the bike. This will produce a clean, smooth surface, which is essential when painting a bike.
3. As much as your can, take the bike frame apart. Remove the wheels, brakes, gears, and anything else that can be removed that you don't want to be painted. If there is anything that you are unable to remove that you don't wish to be painted, cover it with masking tape.
4. Apply the paint to the bike frame. Ideally, this should be done with an airbrush. If you don't have an airbrush, apply the paint with a large paintbrush in broad strokes.
5. Allow the paint to dry, and evaluate it. At this time, you may determine that you want your bike frame to have another layer of paint. If this is the case, you must get the bike damp, sand the surface gently, and apply another coat of paint in the same manner discussed above.
6. Let the bike dry completely before use.