the bike started out black, but i stripped it and painted it a deep blue. i used 2 coats of primer, 1hr in between coats. 3 coats of paint, and then 3 coats of clear coat. it has a nice- flat finish. but i couldn’t achieve the almost ceramic feel that the original paint job had, it feels less tough than before and scratches very easily. perhaps the gram originally had a different type of paint? tougher? or a different clear coat? if anyone could help i’d really appreciate it, the frame was a from a sunday primer 2021 if that helps.
by NoSky6167
3 Comments
Could be the brand of primer, paint or clear. Did you sand in between coats? Does the label give any information about curing time once complete? Some paints take a while to fully cure and harden. IMHO sanding, cleaning is an important step for a smooth paint finish.
I forgot to mention temperature, humidity and environment can make the curing process take longer, too. I’m not a pro by any means but I did some rabbit-hole adventures when I painted mine. Paint needs a nice smooth clean surface for each coat because it builds on whatever is under it. It also needs as much surface as possible to adhere to evenly. If something pokes through, it leaves a weak spot that will allow the elements to get in before it bonds and cures.
You probably didn’t get a 2 part clear coat (solvent+hardener). That’s the kind you need to get a strong clear that’s more resistant to scratches and doesn’t feel soft to the touch.