Another decade gone. Time to repaint again...

Chris Zacho The Wheelman

This time I'm toying with the idea of a "color-change" paint job. The
type that is one color when viewed from one angle, and a different color
when the angle is changed. And I have some questions about it before I
decide.

1. I have only seen this on certain bikes
(Cannondale?). is it a patented
process, therefore unavailable to the
general public? If not;

2. How expensive?

3. Can it be done "at home"? Assuming
one has the proper equipment
(compressor, paint gun). How complex
is the process, and where could I learn
how?

4. What color combinations are available?
I would like something like green/cyan.

Again, TIA

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Dave Thompson

"Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"" <ChriszCorner@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:29688-40808C59-86@storefull-3174.bay.webtv.net...
> This time I'm toying with the idea of a "color-change" paint job. The
> type that is one color when viewed from one angle, and a different color
> when the angle is changed. And I have some questions about it before I
> decide.
>
> 1. I have only seen this on certain bikes
> (Cannondale?). is it a patented
> process, therefore unavailable to the
> general public? If not;
>
> 2. How expensive?
>
> 3. Can it be done "at home"? Assuming
> one has the proper equipment
> (compressor, paint gun). How complex
> is the process, and where could I learn
> how?
>
> 4. What color combinations are available?
> I would like something like green/cyan.
>
> Again, TIA
>
> - -
>
> "May you have the wind at your back.
> And a really low gear for the hills!"
>
> Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
>
> Chris'Z Corner
> http://www.geocities.com/czcorner
>
Serotta uses a color-shifting paint they call Harlequin & Klein has their
version. I've seen similar paint jobs on Chrysler and Ford products. Go to
an automotive paint suplly store (PPG comes to mind). I do know that this
type of paint is VERY expensive. I believe enough to do a car is close to
$1000!

Dan Daniel

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 21:46:01 -0400, ChriszCorner@webtv.net (Chris
Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote:

>This time I'm toying with the idea of a "color-change" paint job. The
>type that is one color when viewed from one angle, and a different color
>when the angle is changed. And I have some questions about it before I
>decide.
>
>1. I have only seen this on certain bikes
> (Cannondale?). is it a patented
> process, therefore unavailable to the
> general public? If not;
>
>2. How expensive?
>
>3. Can it be done "at home"? Assuming
> one has the proper equipment
> (compressor, paint gun). How complex
> is the process, and where could I learn
> how?
>
>4. What color combinations are available?
> I would like something like green/cyan.
>
>Again, TIA
>
>- -
>
>"May you have the wind at your back.
>And a really low gear for the hills!"
>

Search for Afflair pigments....

http://www.pcimag.com/CDA/ArticleIn...6,62577,00.html

I can't imagine a custom painter not being able to do this. Or an auto
paint place should be able to provide it. At my work, we have these
types of pigments. They either come from the manufacturer mixed in a
base (e.g. Beckers from Sweden) or in dry powders that we add to a
clear medium.

The base color is critical for the effect, as with most metal flakes.
And the thickness of the coat is also important. Getting a consistent
thickness, within 1/1000" or less, can be difficult on bike tubes.

I've used a little of the powder among other pigments in one bike
paint job. The flop is minimal and subtle. I applied a urethane top
coat- ChromaClear 7600 (two part, dangerous for home use) which didn't
seem to have a huge effect on the flop. Beckers provides it own top
coat which is pretty matt, but I have no idea how this would hold up
on a bike. I'm going to test it soon for an upcoming paint job.

Basically, either have a bike painter do it- should be very possible.
Or talk to an auto paint supplier. Get a good respirator- forced air
preferable- and be careful. Some serious chemicals in some of these
paints, and metal powder is never good for the lungs.

Be careful with these pigments- they can be eye striking but actually
quite ugly. As a guy I worked with said, it looks like a couple of the
colors you get in the bottom of the dump bucket when mixing paints.
Choose carefully and judge it in sunlight.

A Muzi

Chris Zacho The Wheelman wrote:

> This time I'm toying with the idea of a "color-change" paint job. The
> type that is one color when viewed from one angle, and a different color
> when the angle is changed. And I have some questions about it before I
> decide.
>
> 1. I have only seen this on certain bikes
> (Cannondale?). is it a patented
> process, therefore unavailable to the
> general public? If not;
>
> 2. How expensive?
>
> 3. Can it be done "at home"? Assuming
> one has the proper equipment
> (compressor, paint gun). How complex
> is the process, and where could I learn
> how?
>
> 4. What color combinations are available?
> I would like something like green/cyan.
>
It's also available on cars. (It started there, actually)

A metallic additive , similar to MetalFlake, is shot so as
to be aligned with an electrostatic charge. Then a pearl
rinse with clear. Check at any auto paint wholesaler in
your area.


--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Zog The Undeniable

Chris Zacho The Wheelman wrote:

> This time I'm toying with the idea of a "color-change" paint job. The
> type that is one color when viewed from one angle, and a different color
> when the angle is changed. And I have some questions about it before I
> decide.
>
> 1. I have only seen this on certain bikes
> (Cannondale?). is it a patented
> process, therefore unavailable to the
> general public? If not;
>
> 2. How expensive?
>
> 3. Can it be done "at home"? Assuming
> one has the proper equipment
> (compressor, paint gun). How complex
> is the process, and where could I learn
> how?
>
> 4. What color combinations are available?
> I would like something like green/cyan.

Nissan, Rover and TVR have also used it on some of their cars. The
Nissan paint is 110UKP a tin according to the dealership. Rover have
the best colour - it's used on the rather evil-looking MG ZTT.

http://www.users.totalise.co.uk/~stefan.tapp/X11.jpg

rosco

"Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"" <ChriszCorner@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:29688-40808C59-86@storefull-3174.bay.webtv.net...
> This time I'm toying with the idea of a "color-change" paint job. The
> type that is one color when viewed from one angle, and a different color
> when the angle is changed. And I have some questions about it before I
> decide.
>
> 1. I have only seen this on certain bikes
> (Cannondale?). is it a patented
> process, therefore unavailable to the
> general public? If not;
>
> 2. How expensive?
>
> 3. Can it be done "at home"? Assuming
> one has the proper equipment
> (compressor, paint gun). How complex
> is the process, and where could I learn
> how?
>
> 4. What color combinations are available?
> I would like something like green/cyan.
>
> Again, TIA
>
> - -
>
> "May you have the wind at your back.
> And a really low gear for the hills!"
>
> Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
>
> Chris'Z Corner
> http://www.geocities.com/czcorner
>

The base supplier of this paint technology is Flex Products
(http://www.colorshift.com/). They sell their ChromaFlair pigments to a
number of different paint producers (DuPont-ChromaLusion, PPG-Harlequin,
....) who then in turn sell to the public. I believe it adds about $100 -
$200 to the cost of painting a bicycle. It is so expensive, it is sold by
the ounce.

Chris Zacho The Wheelman

Wow! Thanks for the info. I think I'll let a pro handle this job, if I
choose to go that route. I'll check with my LBS, he's good at getting
deals (my $2500 (msrp.) Rocky for $1100, for example).

Maybe he can pull off another miracle. If not, I have other ideas...

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Mark

Hi Chris, Actually, this kind of paint job has been around quite a
long time. Years ago, the old hot roddders used to call this type of
paint job "Flip-Flop".

The other poster mentions harlequin whish is what it is technically
called.

As far as cars go, the sky's the limit.

I'm quite sure Cycle Art does this type of Paint work (Basically,
they'll do anything you want) Also, they'll replace/make virtually any
decal you have on the bike, so it doesn't look like an amateurish job.

I suspect an easy $450-500 for work such as this. If your frame is a
valuable one, when you think of it, it's not too bad a price, as there
certainly is lots of work involved. Today, they make so many gorgeous
paints, it's amazing what is out there now. Mark

ChriszCorner@webtv.net (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote in message news:<29688-40808C59-86@storefull-3174.bay.webtv.net>...
> This time I'm toying with the idea of a "color-change" paint job. The
> type that is one color when viewed from one angle, and a different color
> when the angle is changed. And I have some questions about it before I
> decide.
>
> 1. I have only seen this on certain bikes
> (Cannondale?). is it a patented
> process, therefore unavailable to the
> general public? If not;
>
> 2. How expensive?
>
> 3. Can it be done "at home"? Assuming
> one has the proper equipment
> (compressor, paint gun). How complex
> is the process, and where could I learn
> how?
>
> 4. What color combinations are available?
> I would like something like green/cyan.
>
> Again, TIA
>
> - -
>
> "May you have the wind at your back.
> And a really low gear for the hills!"
>
> Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
>
> Chris'Z Corner
> http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

BaCardi

A Muzi wrote:
> A metallic additive , similar to MetalFlake, is shot so as to be aligned
> with an electrostatic charge. Then a pearl rinse with clear. Check at
> any auto paint wholesaler in your area.
> --
> Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971





I disagree. Auto painters don't know what they are doing with bike
frames and could really screw up something like what the OP is wanting
to get done. Auto painter + bike frame = paint recipe for disaster.



--

Phil Brown

>I disagree. Auto painters don't know what they are doing with bike
>frames and could really screw up something like what the OP is wanting
>to get done. Auto painter + bike frame = paint recipe for disaster

Some do. It's as unfair a generalization as "All cyclists run stop signs." Oh,
wait...
Phil Brown

BaCardi

Phil Brown wrote:
> >I disagree. Auto painters don't know what they are doing with bike
> >frames and could really screw up something like what the OP is wanting
> >to get done. Auto painter + bike frame = paint recipe for disaster
> Some do. It's as unfair a generalization as "All cyclists run stop
> signs." Oh, wait... Phil Brown




OK, so even if we agree that a small percentage of automotive painters
know what they are doing with regards to painting a bike frame, how does
the original poster know which auto painter to select. Its still a crap
shoot. My advice is go with the actual professional bike painters and
quit trying to save a buck. Bike painters make their living doing this
stuff and have experience with hundreds of frames and not just the
neighbor's old Huffy.



--

Dave Thompson

"BaCardi" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
news:YJdgc.62047$7g1.45035@fe30.usenetserver.com...
> A Muzi wrote:
> > A metallic additive , similar to MetalFlake, is shot so as to be
aligned
> > with an electrostatic charge. Then a pearl rinse with clear. Check at
> > any auto paint wholesaler in your area.
> > --
> > Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971
>
>
>
>
>
> I disagree. Auto painters don't know what they are doing with bike
> frames and could really screw up something like what the OP is wanting
> to get done. Auto painter + bike frame = paint recipe for disaster.
>
>

Note: Mr. Muzi said "Check with any auto paint WHOLESALER....." not auto
paint SHOP.

BaCardi

Dave Thompson wrote:
> Note: Mr. Muzi said "Check with any auto paint WHOLESALER....." not auto
> paint SHOP.



So what? Even worse, what's an auto paint shop going to tell you? Go to
an auto painter?

Two words for you. Joe Bell. The man knows bikes and the intricacies of
painting them. Or how about Brian Bayliss or the Spectrum in Colorado or
Airglow? Quit trying to save a buck and go with an actual frame painter.



--

Matt O'Toole

BaCardi wrote:

> Two words for you. Joe Bell. The man knows bikes and the intricacies
> of painting them. Or how about Brian Bayliss or the Spectrum in
> Colorado or Airglow? Quit trying to save a buck and go with an actual
> frame painter.

If you want to save a buck, get your frame powdercoated. I've seen reports here
of excellent powdercoat jobs for under $150. These days it looks really good,
better than most factory paint jobs. And while it's not as perfect as a
polyurethane job from one of the painters mentioned above, it may be more
durable.

It would be well worth it to dig up some old threads about powdercoating.

Matt O.