Clear coat on old paint?

[platinumdan]

Don't know anything about this, so sorry if I sound like a novice.

Got a frame, fairly decent original paint, decals ok. I've sorted most of the scratches and chips now and am trying to work out the best way to protect it. I'm looking for a company to do it, but not sure exactly what I'm looking for!?!

Would it just be an auto paint shop that need to put a clear coat on it?
Would a powdercoaters do this also?
Do I need to wet and dry sand the old varnish off?
and finally anyone know somewhere in NW London who would do it?

Any help / advice much appreciated!

 

[We_are_Stevo]

All the powder coaters I asked wouldn't clearcoat over old paint...

 

[Loki]

Just clear it yourself with a fizzbomb enamel. Strip the bike, wet sand with 2000 grit and follow the directions on the can after wiping down with acetone or wax and grease remover.

 

[platinumdan]

Cheers for the replies

I tried to do it myself like that a few months ago. Unfortunately only 50% went on ok, the rest you can scratch off with a fingernail. Not quite sure where I went wrong.

Is it just a powdercoaters that would refuse to do it, or any auto paint shop?

 

[unkleGsif]

Power coat won't stick to paint. They will want it bare metal

G

 

[platinumdan]

So is just a normal car paint place is the way to go?

 

[RFC]

Actually I just did this with good results. I picked up a 1991 Haro Extreme. the frame is in great shape, but the paint was faded to about 5 different shades of red. I decided that I wanted to try to save the patina, so did the best I could to even out the paint and touch up scratches. I then gave it five careful coats of thinned clear coat with a brush. It can be done, but you have to be careful.

The clearcoat helped somewhat to even out the paint, but with the gloss, the imperfections were still there. So I dulled it a bit and it actually looks good.

This is sort of MTB decoupage.

Give it a try yourself. If you don't like it, you can always have it blasted and powder coated.

 

[dazzawazza]

The clearcoat helped somewhat to even out the paint, but with the gloss, the imperfections were still there. So I dulled it a bit and it actually looks good.

How did you dull the gloss clearcoat?

 

[RFC]

The clearcoat helped somewhat to even out the paint, but with the gloss, the imperfections were still there. So I dulled it a bit and it actually looks good.

How did you dull the gloss clearcoat?

After the 5th coat, I let it dry for a few days to harden. Then, I put on a light and thinned coat, let it dry until it was tacky and ran my hands over the frame essentially smudging the coat. This proved to work much better than sanding. Be sure you hands are clean.

Now it has the finish I was looking for -- sort of like an old, well used red pickup truck.

 

[taffy]

Ive seen this done on "rat" cars to preserve the worn faded paint and surface rust patina. best bet it a troll of the web/forums.

I do know you can get nice matt clearcoat - Krylon do one which is easy to use (very) and gives a good finish - good prep and taking your time will yeild best results.