Comments on: What type of airbrush paint for a bike frame?

By: bikeworks

bikeworks — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:24:30 +0000

Might I suggest something? See if you can get a local autobody shop to let you see how a car is painted… just watch them. Yes, a bicycle is smaller but it takes just as much (or more) work, and an airbrush just won’t do it. You’ll need a good air compressor with tank, minimum of 1 1/2 horsepower, a moisture trap, a good hose, and a touchup gun… smaller than a full size spray gun but bigger than an airbrush. Make sure that the compressor meets the CFM requirements of the gun.

You’ll want to use acrylic lacquer, not just "acrylics" or acrylic enamels found in an art store.

By: Sophie B

Sophie B — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:24:30 +0000

I would use automotive paint.. the kind that comes in a spray can.

Cover the top of a glass jar with cheesecloth, make asmall hole in the middle….. use the sprayer and tube from a new unused can of wd-40, to replce sprayer on paint can,… spray paint into jar…paint will be the right consistency to airbrush, right out of the jar…
clean the nozzle and tube in lacquer thinner before re-using on another color…

By: Blythe

Blythe — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:24:30 +0000

Well, the kind of paint that you do the design with isn’t all that important. But, before you airbrush it, you need to make sure the base layer of paint(the plain color you’ll be airbrushing onto) is in good shape, and whatever you airbrush onto it will need a clearcoat layer over the top of it.

What I would do for mountain bikes: (Assuming the paint already on it is in good shape): Use either a good urethane airbrush paint(such as HOK or SEM) or Auto Air Autoborne paints(safer to use for a beginner, non toxic), then you need to have it clearcoated to protect your artwork. Considering the safety hazards(and expensive setup) associated with clearcoat, the clearcoating is better left to a local bodyshop.

Here’s a good website where you can get a lot more information and details on the airbrushing process: http://www.airbrush.com , just go into the forum and look around, lots of good info. Good luck!

By: Chuck Norris said so......

Chuck Norris said so...... — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:24:30 +0000

spend the money for someone qualified to do it. I have seen the do it yourself paint jobs. Oh man it doesn’t quiet work. I work at a bike shop.