How to Repaint a Steel Frame

Difficulty:

Guide To Repainting a Steel Frame

So you have an old steel frame and want to repaint it so it looks fresh and new?

You’ll need:

Here’s how:

1. Remove any components so you are down to just the frame.

2. Sand off any loose paint and rough up the surface so it’s dull.

3. Primer

Use a bare metal primer on any areas where the paint is gone completely.

Then use a good sandable primer or filler primer to coat everything else.

(Primer is not necessary unless you are down to bare metal or need to paint over a very dark color.)

4. Sand again.

Use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the primer.

5. Paint

Now you can paint the frame.

If there are any imperfections, you can sand with a very fine grit (400 or 800) sandpaper between coats.

6. Clear coat.

A clear coat to make things extra shiny and protected is optional.

7. Let dry.

Try to let your frame dry at least one week before reassembly and riding.

* Dry times depend on the paint used. *