"King of the Mountain" Paint Job

[82firebird]

So this guy is part owner of a high end bicycle shop here locally called Ohio Cycleworks www.ohiocycleworks.net www.ohiocycleworkscharities.org . This past summer their team took part in a "Race Across America" where the team traveled from California to Maryland in 7 days on bicycles. All money raised went to Akron Children's Hospital. So we don't know too much about bicycles but what we do know is that these high end bicycles range anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000. They come to them either bare aluminum or bare carbon fiber. Matt aproached us with an "old" frame (cost = $3,000) and wanted us to shoot a trial run paint job since they are now looking to offer their clients custom frame painting. He said he wanted white with red polka dots which is what the King of the Mountain biker jersey is in the Tour de France and other stage races. Red polka dots is what he'll get.

First we stripped it to bare aluminum:

Then SPI black epoxy:

Then we used SPI gray epoxy instead of white because I was afraid of not being able to see the white base covering had we used white.

Then we used Ford Wimbeldon White base:

This time around I wanted my name on it.

We chose to use vinyl decals instead of actual paint. It took a lot longer than I thought to lay these suckers out.

5 coats of SPI Universal Clear

Love that Chrysler Platinum

Lauren

 

[Barry]

Nice job!!!

 

[chevman]

After they see your signature they may wish they could allow you more creativity on the bike frame. Nice job!

 

[82firebird]

Haha thank you - yes we tried to give him some ideas to spruce it up a bit but I think he was aiming for straight to the point. We still have the forks to work with that are carbon fiber so hopefully we'll be able to give it a little jazz yet, we'll see.

 

[Joe's Notchback]

Looks really good!

 

[82firebird]

Got the forks done, finally:

 

[Barry]

Nice, I think Aaron should quit his day job and just keep your paint guns clean for you!

 

[82firebird]

LOL.. ohh Barry don't you know that's a touchy subject!

 

[Ash]

I think it looks great, Lauren!
I'm only a newb to auto painting and I've been reading a lot on here, watching your progress and skill level develop has been very inspiring. Keep up the great work, I can see you enjoy it a great deal!!

 

[82firebird]

Thanks, Ash! Yes I do enjoy it. Coming from a fellow mustang lover (we've got two 68 fastbacks - both under construction) the best newb advice I can give is try to listen to the people here on this site, call Barry a lot at odd hours (bahaha just kidding Barry) but realized most of what you'll learn is not without trial and error and a whole lot of frustration. Oh and don't give up I only wish we would have been aboard this site before starting our first mustang project - you're already worlds ahead by being at the right place right now. And stay away from Por15 and KBS and all that other stuff - SPI epoxy is all you need and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Looking forward to watching your stangs come back to life.

 

[Ash]

Thanks, Lauren! I'm already very glad I stumbled across SPI while doing my homework for my Mustang. It's made feel confident going into the job about the product and the support that is there at any time.
I've actually read your Eleanor thread a few times and have referred back to it on many occasion. I always enjoy an update coming through. Right now I'm going through the same A-pillar rust repairs on mine as you went through.
Keep it up, it's great to see you getting your name out there. And I can tell the smile of accomplishment on your face is huge, even from this side of the world!