Topic: Looking for a real tough gloss black for my frame

[grcamna2]

I'm going to get my frame sandblasted(a little rusty)and then I want to get some rattle can(I don't have any equip. or experience mixing yet..)gloss black paint and paint the frame and swing arm.I may have this frame in storage for a while and I don't mind too much if it doesn't look 'showroom perfect' and I want to paint it w/ a strong gloss black,something that will resist scratching better than Duplicolor enamel.
A guy at Advance showed me the purple can of VHT 'Epoxy Paint' which is used mainly for under-car parts such as springs,control arms,axles,etc.(does it require special primer?) and said it goes on kind of thick,before I get that I want to ask some of you folks here what you recommend for a tough gloss black ?

[CycleRanger]

VHT is great paint and I use it without primer on bare, clean metal.
However, the VHT Gloss is not a high gloss, more a medium gloss in my experience.
I use it without primer because I had issues with it chipping when I used it over primer.
(But that could be my fault.)
I actually prefer the VHT gloss as it matches closer to the original factory black paint. imho.
You might consider powder coating if it's within your budget. Powder can produce a strong gloss black.

[flybox1]

+1 cycleranger
bare frame, etching primer, Duplicolor gloss black (looks +/- 80% gloss)

[Steve F]

As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats Rust-O-leum for durability.  That stuff was applied to a swing arm, and was washed a few times with solvent to get the chain lube off, and still was shiny.  Never chipped either.  The other stuff like Krylon and Duplicolor would chip if you looked at it funny.
Say it with me...."RUST....OHHHH....LEEEEEE.....UMMMM"
 
Just give it a good week before you try handling it as it takes time for quality rattle-can paint to get tough.

[70CB750]

This is what I use:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/majic-tractor-truck-implement-spray-enamel-11-oz-gloss-black?cm_vc=-10005



It is made for tractor implements, application hardly gets tougher than that.

[jaguar]

Go down to west marine and check out the "Bright Side" paint.

really great stuff!
http://www.westmarine.com/topside-paint

[firebane]

If you can get this : http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Specialty-12-oz-Appliance-Epoxy-Gloss-Black-Spray-Paint-7886830/100141519

Highly recommend and its tough stuff.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm not sure if any paint is more durable than powdercoating.  I suppose you could spray it with bedliner though! 

[Dunk]

I used VHT Frame adn Chassis paint on mine... Though I've used VHT epoxy paint on many small bits. Not really sure what the difference between those two are, maybe someone here knows? They are a somewhat semigloss but not as glossy as other paints. Kind of wish it was a bit more shiny, but it's good enough. I've had to touch up a few spots that have chipped from crap on the road or cables or wires rubbing. I'm open to other options that may be a bit more durable.

[seanbarney41]

If you can get this : http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Specialty-12-oz-Appliance-Epoxy-Gloss-Black-Spray-Paint-7886830/100141519

Highly recommend and its tough stuff.

+1, and its really shiny.  I did a 550 frame with it, rode it a bunch, sold it, bought it back from the guy who had no garage 2 years later, rode it a bunch more...still looks great!  Sold it again for even more than the first time!

[grcamna2]

If you can get this : http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Specialty-12-oz-Appliance-Epoxy-Gloss-Black-Spray-Paint-7886830/100141519

Highly recommend and its tough stuff.

+1, and its really shiny.  I did a 550 frame with it, rode it a bunch, sold it, bought it back from the guy who had no garage 2 years later, rode it a bunch more...still looks great!  Sold it again for even more than the first time!

Sean,How did you prep the frame,sandblast,etc.? & did you use primer ?

[Djfob]

Appliance epoxy lays down easily. I just scuffed the frame with sandpaper. Then degreaser with dish detergent, rinse then spray.

Trick is to keep cans in a bucket of hot water to pressurize, maintains even spray pattern.

[grcamna2]

Appliance epoxy lays down easily. I just scuffed the frame with sandpaper. Then degreaser with dish detergent, rinse then spray.

Trick is to keep cans in a bucket of hot water to pressurize, maintains even spray pattern.

thanks for the tips

[Terry in Australia]

Powdercoating is great, but long before we were powdercoating motorcycle frames we were painting them, and a good rattle can of an epoxy/enamel is a nice inexpensive alternative.

I painted my K1 frame one Christmas when my powdercoater was closed, and several years later, it looks just as good as it did the day I painted it.

A word of warning though, make sure you cover every thing nearby that you don't want overspray on, I painted my frame in the driveway 20 feet from my open garage door, and for weeks afterwards I was cleaning overspray off my other bikes. Oops.......

[grcamna2]

Powdercoating is great, but long before we were powdercoating motorcycle frames we were painting them, and a good rattle can of an epoxy/enamel is a nice inexpensive alternative.

I painted my K1 frame one Christmas when my powdercoater was closed, and several years later, it looks just as good as it did the day I painted it.

A word of warning though, make sure you cover every thing nearby that you don't want overspray on, I painted my frame in the driveway 20 feet from my open garage door, and for weeks afterwards I was cleaning overspray off my other bikes. Oops.......

I'll remember that Terry,also I like your sig w/ the 'deal' on the bike boots 

[seanbarney41]

If you can get this : http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Specialty-12-oz-Appliance-Epoxy-Gloss-Black-Spray-Paint-7886830/100141519

Highly recommend and its tough stuff.

+1, and its really shiny.  I did a 550 frame with it, rode it a bunch, sold it, bought it back from the guy who had no garage 2 years later, rode it a bunch more...still looks great!  Sold it again for even more than the first time!

Sean,How did you prep the frame,sandblast,etc.? & did you use primer ?

+1 djfob...except used painters wax and gease remover instead of degreaser.  This paint works best with no primer.