Painting a new fork

[Ryan Frahm]

After talking with Will about my tweaked Clem fork, he thought it would like a new fork would be better then trying to fix it. Easy to talk me into because mine has rust issues on top of being crooked (in two directions). The cost wasn’t as bad as I thought either. It will actually be a Hunq fork because that’s what they had. Very slight rake difference is all I guess. 

Anyway, it is a bare fork so now I get to decide how to paint it. My Clem is Grilver and I love the color. I’m thinking of just having it powder coated for maximum durability since it is my daily commuter and gets locked up all over. I’m not sure the accent colors can be done with that though?  Or should I find a painter to do it. Or should I just spray it myself and not worry too much about it? Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[Joe Bernard]

I think you're looking for "if it were me" thoughts from us so here's mine: 

The first Clems didn't come with the fork accents and I think it looks fine. I have a powder coater place in town so for a commuter/shopper lock-up bike - which is what Clems are for! - I would keep the price low and the fork-covering tough and powder coat it. I don't know if he could do the accents. 

[Ryan Frahm]

Thank you Joe, that is what I was looking for. Also don’t want to break any Rivendell rules to go for powder coating. It seems like the way to go since it sees year round use in place with wet and snowy winters. 

The frame is reasonably scratched up as well though. Maybe I should just have it all powder coated. Does a bike free from any logos seem less desirable to thieves? Ha! 

[Garth]

I'd say it depends on where you live, does price matter, what painters are available, and as for doing it yourself, why not ? 

I had my Bomba painted without any decals/logos mostly because I like unfettered clean paint. 

[Ryan Frahm]

Thank you for the reply Garth! I live in Spokane Washington. It isn’t like when I lived on the other side of the state and my bikes saw rain riding for most months of the year, but there is plenty of weather in the winter. 

It seems like it wouldn’t be terribly difficult to find a painter but price is a bit of a concern at the moment. I really don’t know what a full paint job would cost. I plan to get a quote (powder) for the fork and possibly the frame as well when the fork gets here. Spraying it myself would be an option for this winter and then have it fully done next year. Has anyone tried spraybike.us paints?

I also like the clean look on a bike. Pictures are always welcome Garth!

[RichS]

One of my bikes (single color) has two decals: headtube and a tiny "C" on the seat tube. Otherwise clean as a whistle; looks great.

Best
Rich in ATL

[Ryan Frahm]

Thank you Rich, I bet it does! Nice and clean. 

I sent a message to a local powder coating place to see if they do bikes. There are a few options around at least. I don’t want to spend a ton or I think Cerakote would be a great option as well. So thin that the lug details would be even better than paint I bet!

[JohnS]

About a year ago I had a frame and fork stripped and powder coated for just under $200, which I thought was a bargain. The powder coat paint options have come a long way since the last time I had a frame and fork coated about 12 years ago. This time I choose "intense orange" which looks like metal flake and looks great.

Good luck,

JohnS

[Ryan Frahm]

Thanks JohnS, that’s a promising number! I’d consider a nice powder coat job for $200-250 a steal! Would probably be at least that for the fork is I had to have the accent colors. But I have no idea these days. 

[Philip Williamson]

Six years ago, I had a frame and fork powder coated for about $120. My son did the contrasting paint with spray.bike colors. They worked fine; you need to hold them a few inches from the surface, unlike a traditional spray paint.

Philip

Sonoma County, Calif

[Ryan Frahm]

Thanks Phillip! I was looking spray.bike paints. Adding in the detail over the powder sounds perfect!