Paint The Frame; Yes or No

I’ve been searching these posts and most of the topics are whether to paint or powder coat? Whether to rattle can or spray gun? Noting on if you should keep the original paint.

My question is this; if the frame isn’t terrible or rusty, would it make sense to touch up the bad spots and keep the majority of the original frame paint?

The original paint must be pretty tough to hold up all these years. Would I be doing the bike a disservice if I touch it up or would I be doing a disservice if I didn’t?

If I paint it myself, it would never be as good as what the factory did. But maybe it wouldn’t be terrible?

See my dilemma...

My view is that, for parts that may be subject to stone chips (like a frame), painting is superior to powder coating.
1. Paint, depending on the type, is more durable and won't chip.
2. Paint is repairable - I'm not sure powder coat is (successfully).

The paint I used is Valspar LIC 40, It was recommended to me as a very tough paint for chassis members etc.
The shop mixed in an additive to reduce the lustre to "satin" - my personal preference.
I have since found that there is a low gloss variant - LIC 43
Product sheet: https://licindustrialfinishes.valsparauto.com/pdf/LIC40.pdf
It can be brushed but a friend sprayed it for me.
Cheers
Rob

Hi - I am not a fan of powdercoat but many are . I know this is a budget conscious build so you can save yourself some $$ by spraying it yourself. If the finish is sound do a test spot somewhere inconspicuous with the paint of your choice. Clean up any rusty areas - hit them with paint and when dry start wet sanding everything and paint the entire chassis. Very good results can be had with rattle cans if you are willing to put the time in blocking between coats . Although I have yet to try it , Eastwood among others sells a two part urethane in a rattlecan - apparently you pull a tab on the Can and it releases the catalyst in the can.
Worth exploring IMHO.

Norcoastal said:

My question is this; if the frame isn’t terrible or rusty, would it make sense to touch up the bad spots and keep the majority of the original frame paint?

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It would make perfect sense.
Clean what you have and make a logical decision from there.

I am willing to bet many long rebuilds started out as 'checking the tyre/tire pressure.

I have about AU$20000 in this bike, notice the stock frame paint is rubbed on the lower rails, it got a shot of VHT Barrel Paint (because I had some) the match was very close if not closer than that.
Put your money in things that will get you home.

If you are making the bike "new" make the frame "new".

Personally I wouldn't bother having the frame painted unless I was going all out on everything else...
Just rub the bare spots with oil

My frame is pretty shiny. It has chips and a few bare spots. No rust.

I’m going to sand blast the swing arm and paint it because it’s in such bad shape, I can only improve upon it.

The frame I was thinking of getting a small can of automotive paint and a small brush and just fill in the chips and bad spots.

I figure if it doesn’t look respectable, I can sand it and paint the entire frame.

Any suggestions on what paint I should buy? I’m thinking Rustoleum gloss black.

And actually, when I buy a tank I’m thinking of buying an original painted tank and not restore it and make it “new”. Even if the paint is faded. I think I want it looking more original and clean, than showroom new.

But that’s just me...

Time Warp said:

It would make perfect sense.
Clean what you have and make a logical decision from there.

I am willing to bet many long rebuilds started out as 'checking the tyre/tire pressure.

I have about AU$20000 in this bike, notice the stock frame paint is rubbed on the lower rails, it got a shot of VHT Barrel Paint (because I had some) the match was very close if not closer than that.
Put your money in things that will get you home.

View attachment 13662

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That’s what I’m thinking!

I believe the original paint was baked on enamel. I am working on my 3rd commando restoration. One spray bombed with rustolem gloss black the other two powder coat. Like the powder coat better.

As mentioned above, it really depends on what you’re gonna do with the rest of the bike.

You’ll kick yourself if you’ve built a bike that looks great... apart from the ‘tatty old frame’.

But if the rest of the bike keeps a nice patina of age, the original frame will look perfect.

It's only original once.

If less than 10% of the frame has scratches/chips/rust, I thoroughly clean the frame, sand and feather the bad spots, and then spray them with VHT Roll Bar and Chassis paint in satin black. It matches the original paint quite well - no primer needed. If more, but less than 50% of the frame paint is bad, I do basically the same but lightly sand the whole frame and then spray with the gloss version of the same paint. For those frames that are a real mess, I sandblast first. It is really important to follow the instructions on the can - especially the temp and humidity when spraying.

The last two bikes I finished - one I sandblasted and then had professionally painted and cleared. The other had lots of scrapes and small rust spots - I did it as above. To me, that one looks better than the professionally painted one because it looks MUCH more original.

Love my powder coated frame, swing arm and sub frame. If It's stripped down might as well go for it. Not cheap but WOW ! Mask off certain interference areas.

I just went through this too. I had poor results with rattlecans becauae they all seemed disolved with ethanol petrol spills and brake clean etc.

In the end I went for a few coats of thinned brushed Hammerite paint - the smooth version not the hammered finish. I had to do all the swinging arm and cradle but i just touched up the frame. I didnt actually want a super glossy smooth show finish.

Norcoastal said:

My frame is pretty shiny. It has chips and a few bare spots. No rust.

I’m going to sand blast the swing arm and paint it because it’s in such bad shape, I can only improve upon it.

The frame I was thinking of getting a small can of automotive paint and a small brush and just fill in the chips and bad spots.

I figure if it doesn’t look respectable, I can sand it and paint the entire frame.

Any suggestions on what paint I should buy? I’m thinking Rustoleum gloss black.

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IMHO, all commandos frames had a gloss black finish. However very early ones (first issue 68's) had a baked on enamel , that was to die for. I would rub out and polish your frame as good as you can, then touch up the places that seem to need it. Lacquer works good as it dries fast, and can be rubbed out to blend it in a few days. It all depends on how bad your bike is, and what you are after, good idea on the original paintwork, but that's hard to find and harder for certain years and colors.

This is as bad as the oil thread. As most folks have pointed out, or at least implied, it depends on your goal for this bike. Anything from a daily beater to a full 100 point restoration. I've sprayed quite a few Commando (and other) frames with Rustoleum gloss black and that's become my normal choice. I've done most of them with rattle cans, but I've also bought Rustoleum in cans and used professional spray equipment. To my eye, the rattle can jobs look just as good, if you're careful. I've also done a couple frames with epoxy primer followed by 2 part urethane, but they didn't seem to be any more damage resistant than the Rustoleum, and didn't touch up as easily. There's no reason you couldn't just touch up the existing paint. As you say, if you don't like it you can do it over.

On the other hand, unless you're a purist about originality, a good powder coat finish looks good too and is pretty durable. I prefer paint because it's easier to touch up or remove for repairs or modifications, but I've seen some gorgeous Commando builds using powder coat on frames and such. As usual, it all comes down to personal preference.

At least no one has yet suggested chrome plating. Years ago I ended up with a MK3 frame, cradle, and swing arm that someone had done in chrome, and I thought it looked terrible. I'd only bought it as a basket case for the engine, and threw the frame away. It was a really bad plating job anyhow, and had already rusted through in several places.

Ken

NPeteN said:

It's only original once.

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*Almost* all. (Mine rolled out of the factory as a 72 Roadster and was quickly modified, then rolled back in again in 9 months and rolled out a second time as a Production Racer. Of course, it immediately began to be "unoriginal" the second time from there.)

my 2-cents (FWIW) -- somewhat new to bikes, but tons of automotive - from piece-part restoration, to full blown, frame-off. I like to keep things looking factory stock and original, but, in reality, THE WORLD NEEDS ONLY SO MANY MUSEUM PIECES. if you make things it too nice, you may be afraid to ride it, and you can go nuts making things prefect.

as for frame paint, touch up, or whatever - on my 74, I found that lacquer based, dupli-color universal (gloss) black is, IMO, a dead ringer for the factory original finish. it blends, color sands, buffs and polishes perfectly. I transferred small amounts from the aerosol can to an airbrush or a touch-up gun - some places, direct rattle can. careful masking is a must. I estimate about 50-60% of my frame is still original paint, and personally, consider minor touch-up paint work as cosmetics maintenance. I would only consider powder coat if doing a full rebuild or restoration. most of us pamper the hardware, so IMO, paint, especially touch-up is good - it's a middle of the road thing and best bang for the buck. I use the arms length rule - if it looks good from an arms length, then it's good to go.

Are you confident that the frame isn't bent or twisted anywhere?
It's be a shame to have it powder coated or an expensive paint job only to find when it's built it pulls to one side etc
And had to come apart again!
Personally I completely build my bikes in whatever paint they come in
I ride them to make sure everything is right
Then I strip them down and paint/finish accordingly
This may sound long winded but it's not I have done this many times
When building a bike from just a frame

Powder coat is MUCH THICKER than paint. As such, it fills in weld ripples & softens corners. The fabricator in me finds this a bit cheesy. Like 20” wheels on a ‘65 Mustang.
Paint please.
And if I had the time, I’d repaint my ‘74 frame.

JMWO