Plasti dip / painting your frame

[Allroads]

Since having a new bike in semi matte color I noticed it scratches more easily. I have the usual factory decals but its still scratches. No dents but marks just the same. I'm sure I'm not alone. I know I can use wider stickers but this looks like a cover up. Painting can also be done.
I have used in the past on my cars wheels Plasti Dip. It's a vinyl coating which comes is various colors and finishes.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Repainting any bike is an enormous pain in the a$$. I shudder to consider doing it on an e-bike. The basic procedure is:

• Completely strip everything off the frame. This includes stuff like internally routed cables. Keep track of all the parts. Also note that some parts on some bikes aren't really meant to be or removed from the frame, so you'll have to get new parts.
• Strip the existing paint from the frame.
• Paint the frame. You probably will need a primer coat as well, but what that is exactly will depend on what the frame is made of.
• Reassemble the bike and hope that it works.

My own personal advice is that You Will Be Very Sorry if you go that route. What I'd suggest is cleaning your bike within an inch of its life, go over the frame with a spray bottle with alcohol in it, and then use a frame protection tape and a heat gun.

 

[Allroads]

Quite impressed with Gorilla or frame protection tape or clear it is if I can find it.
Even Lamin-x Bicycle Frame Tape Guard

 

[trainman]

Plasti Dip, pretty much "Snake Oil", developed for those who can't and won't do it the correct way and looking for the easy way out and getting poor results. I guess you now know what I think of the stuff.

 

[steve marino]

You could paint your bike the same colour as the metal that is underneath the paint. Or strip the paint off and spray/brush a coat of clear on it. Or my favorite, don't sweat it, just ride the thing. Scratches happen.

 

[Allroads]

on youtube there's all kinds how too's re bike paint

 

[flipper]

i love plasti dip. used it to change the color of my surfboard. stayed stuck down like a champ. and then when i got tired of the color, i just peeled it off and started afresh. bingo bango easy. guess trainman has had a different experience, so, obviously, ymmv.

 

[smorgasbord]

Repainting any bike is an enormous pain in the a$$.

That's the supposed beauty of plasti-dip: it dries to a state in which you can still peel away/trim any excess and then a few days later really dries. This means you can tape, spray, and then a bit later (I don't remember how long) you can peel the tape and easily cut/scrape away any overspray.

The issue is that it never really sticks super-well and doesn't hold up to any touch abrasion. There is a prep spray that supposedly helps adhesion, but I don't know how well that works. If anything is going to rub against the sprayed area on a regular basis, don't use Plasti-dip. People who Pasti-dip cars or wheels know they'll strip it all away in a year or two anyway.

 

[Allroads]

That's the supposed beauty of plasti-dip: it dries to a state in which you can still peel away/trim any excess and then a few days later really dries. This means you can tape, spray, and then a bit later (I don't remember how long) you can peel the tape and easily cut/scrape away any overspray.

The issue is that it never really sticks super-well and doesn't hold up to any touch abrasion. There is a prep spray that supposedly helps adhesion, but I don't know how well that works. If anything is going to rub against the sprayed area on a regular basis, don't use Plasti-dip. People who Pasti-dip cars or wheels know they'll strip it all away in a year or two anyway.

I have added to my scratched areas clear Gorilla tape. I cleaned the area first with alcohol, dried and applied the tape. It's thick and works. I can still see my bikes graphic artwork.