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Paint a bike frame

Introduction: Paint a bike frame

Bikes can get scratched and look a bit raggedy. It’s easy to paint your bikes. It takes only a few tools and some spray paint. The results are far more appealing than the tools and time it took.

Step 1: Start to disassemble the bike

Everything that is attached to the frame must be removed. This includes the wheels, seat, chain, derailleur, and all other attachments to the frame. These items will be required to be removed:

  • Chain tool
  • Allen wrench (4mm, 5mm & 6mm)
  • Socket wrench
  • Crescent wrench

For painting, you’ll need clear coat and spray paint. I used:

  • Blue Krylon Dual
  • Krylon Clear Coat

Use these tools to get started. It’s easy to take off a bike. Is there an opening for an allen wrench? Good, use an allen wrench! This will take care of the brakes and bar stem as well as bottle holders. The socket wrench can be used to remove the crank arms and the crescent wrench for front fork.

You’ll need them later if you’re new at this. Make sure you pay attention to what you do. You should also ensure that you properly store everything. It is easy to lose a few pieces. 

Step 2: Clean it up

Now you have your bike frame. You can clean it with something to remove all grease and dirt. Pedro’s Green Fizz was my choice, but you have many other options.

Step 3: Sand it Little

To remove the paint’s surface, use sandpaper. I used 150 grit, but you could have used finer. It is important to give the new paint a solid surface to adhere to and not to scrape off all the old paint.

After that, use a damp cloth or sponge to clean the frame.

Step 4: Cover up anything you don’t want to paint

The bike was in bad shape, and the crank arms didn’t move at all. They were fine and I didn’t want to take them out. It’s not too difficult to cover them with plastic bags or masking tape. This will keep them clean and cover the crank arm.

I covered the brake posts with masking tape, in addition to the crank arms.

Step 5: Paint!

Okay, now we can finally paint. Some recommend hanging the whole frame by running a wire through its head tube and hanging it from there. The bike was too heavy to hang at my house so I used a tarp instead.


The first phase was completed as shown in the first photograph here. The frame rested on the seat post opening. The second phase was done by placing the frame on a crank arm, and one of the chainstays. Although it’s not very elegant or stable, it works.

Three coats of blue Krylon Dual spray painted were applied to each phase. Be sure to wait at least five minutes between coats. This resulted in six coats of paint, each one being applied in two phases.

Then, I let it dry overnight and then applied 3 coats Krylon Clear Coat.

Step 6: Restore Everything

It’s now time to attach all of the pieces. This should be easy if you were careful and paid attention to where your parts went. It can become a bit annoying if you don’t.


That’s it. Your bike now has a new paint job.

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