Newbe - Looking for a kit and painting info

[Rock]

Hi,
I'm new to this impressive Cruzbike forum. Need to go from my weggie to a safer recumbent. I'm a bleeder and don't need to take any more headers.

Been looking at comments about the conversion kit and how neat the Cruzbike FWD is to ride...so I eBayed a Fisher Y frame and am getting it prepped for the conversion.

Q1: What's the best way to paint an aluminum frame? I am planning to sand blast the old paint off and have a rough surface for a primer but what primer?

Q2: Are used kits available?

Thanks for a chance to voice in this forum.

Rock

 

[Doug Burton]

Aluminum (Aluminium as John says) Primers...

...contain zinc chromate, which is pretty toxic. You can get this stuff at most hardware stores. Use a good filter mask.

On the other hand, if the paint is just scruffy but still well-adhered, you can just scuff-up the existing surface (which has already been properly prepped) and apply any number of different paints. I have used polyeurethane spray (which is becoming harder to come by) and it goes on well, finishes pretty smoothly and is tough as nails. You can also use enamel and then apply a clear coat. This works great if you intend to apply your own decals.

Good luck either way you choose to go.

Best,

Doug

 

[Rock]

Doug,
Thanks for this tip and

Doug,
Thanks for this tip and your earlier advice about my Fisher Joshua Y.

I'll blast some bare spots and use some zinc-oxide spray on these. I'll rough up the remaining paint and wet sand to feather the bare edges. I'll try enamel w/ poly clear and see how it looks.

Thanks again,
Rock