Smoothing Duplicolor wheel paint.

[lambiam]

So i took some of that duplicolor wheel coating and sprayed it on a bicycle frame today...I'm posting here because i figured it would get more views here. The paint feels like sandpaper right now and I'm not planning on spraying a clear coat over it....how can i smooth out the paint? My guess would be to wetsand it and spray another coat? I'm looking at trying to find a way to do it and not have to spray anything, whether it be more color or clear.

So if you guys have any suggestions, let me hear em.

[Azwethinkweiz]

Wet sand with 2000 grit then 3000 then spray another medium coat. You dont want to lay too much paint and get sags but not too little and end up with another textured finish.

If you dont want to spray another coat, depending on how many you have already done, you can wetsand it and buff it, but without buffing theres no way you'll have a glossy finish without clear or another coat after sanding.

[o2_designs]

How smooth was the frame when you painted it?

I've used the Duplicolor wheel paint before without any problems. And no sandpaper finesh.

[lambiam]

i sanded it with 320 grit, then primer, then paint...i didn't sand the primer though...probably why...its not big deal to me really, i just wanted to know if i had options...

its shiny right now...just feels rough to the touch....

[lambiam]

kinda reminds me of the flat black powdercoated handlebars and stuff....that's hot it feels....i'll probably just leave it seeing is that it looks better than before.

[o2_designs]

What kind of primer did you use?

[lambiam]

Duplicolor filler primer...

[Honkeytonk Monkey]

sounds like you're spraying a bit thin and a bit too far away from the surface. If you spray to little and too far away the paint will start drying before it even hits the surface. You need to be very careful with a spray can to keep the right angle, the right distance and the right speed over the surface. Basically you need to lay it on almost to the point where it can run, but not cross that line.

I used white duplicolor on my TD Monzas, I'll never paint wheels this complicated again, way too many angles to spray at the same time. The finished wheels didn't even need wetsanding when finished though, they came out completely glossy.

[lambiam]

thanks for the help guys...i'm either gonna spray it again...or just not worry about it. anyone know of good sites to get vinyl stickers done online? I"m thinking of making my own for this thing.

[o2_designs]

I just do my own vinyl, so I don't know any websites. But goodluck on getting the bike to where you like it. Once you get the wheel paint on, if you decide to clear it, be sure to use Duplicolor wheel clear. If you spray that thick, and not let it run, leave it dry for awhile...it almost hardens like a powdercoat. Pretty good stuff.

[Azwethinkweiz]

Theres a place near me called Yipes Stripes that does anything to do with vinyl, but also does bedliners, accessories etc.....They do really nice work with anything to do with vinyl, a lot of local places have them do custom jobs on their trucks/cars for advertising. Reasonable prices too.

I don't know if they do orders by phone but look into it.
http://yipesauto.com/yipes/index.php#

[RUN_ZX3]

Originally Posted by Honkeytonk Monkey

sounds like you're spraying a bit thin and a bit too far away from the surface. If you spray to little and too far away the paint will start drying before it even hits the surface. You need to be very careful with a spray can to keep the right angle, the right distance and the right speed over the surface. Basically you need to lay it on almost to the point where it can run, but not cross that line.

I used white duplicolor on my TD Monzas, I'll never paint wheels this complicated again, way too many angles to spray at the same time. The finished wheels didn't even need wetsanding when finished though, they came out completely glossy.

x2 on this

.....also make sure that the bike frame is not super hot before you spray the paint on. I don't know what type of space you are working in or what the weather is like there but it's 90 here and I am sure the surface temp of a bike frame sitting in the sun would be 100 or so.

[lambiam]

it wasn't very hot at all....mid 70's tops. Yeah i'll probably just spray some clear on it to give it more pop...the can said something about waiting 7 days to repaint if its been over an hour....

[jimmyquick1]

I agree with Monkey and have nothing to add except that you really want to clear it. The clear forms a watertight seal over the paint. Without it moisture will soak through the paint and rust the frame. You would be surprised how fast this can, and does, happen.

If you want a flat finish check out these link:
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/kil...t/softfeel.htm


It is a little expensive for a rattle can (well it doesn't really rattle but thats what we call them) but it's worth it. It also heals pretty well.

Finally, heed the Monkey... distance, angle, patience. Hope this helps.



-J