losing weight

[datas_brother]

This goes out to the painters. The authors at Light-Bikes wrote an article about my repair business, which reaped some requests for refinishing. Basically, the bike owners want me to un-paint their frames. I will only do it under the condition that a clear coat is put over the naked carbon to protect against UV-Light. As many of you know weightweenies are willing to pay a premium for every gram lost. In this case the owner is willing to spend € 250,- to loose 33 g! So my question is (without starting a debate about whether or not this makes sense to do) how much does a clear coat add to the frame. According to my painter, he uses about 1000 g of clear on each frame but most of that does not land on the frame. Has anyone ever measure this?

Alternative to a clear coat are also welcome.

Thanks

[anthonymaietta]

Nice review.

Google Chrome's translate feature is truly amazing.

[Too Tall]

Serious question. Can you just slap their faces and call them names instead?

[datas_brother]

My wife suggested referring them to a psychiatrist. But hey, if it doesn't hurt anyone and puts a few coins in my pocket, why not!

[pruckelshaus]

Why not just take a fully painted 56cm or so frame, weigh it, then strip off the paint, weight it, then clearcoat and cure and then weigh it?

[datas_brother]

because the guy wants to know before hand it it will work. right now it's just guess work.

[suhacycles]

Something to think about: Suppose you guesstimate a 33 gram loss and after all is said and done the end result turns out to be like 10 grams and he wants his money back... now what? Or even worse, the clear goes on and it's 25 grams heavier?!

[hmbatrail]

I just finished a stainless frame. About a 58 or so. Nekkid it weighed 3.6 lbs. I had it powdercoated clear and weighed it. Came in at 3.7lbs. I never thought to push the button and see the weight in grams.

So your estimate of +/- 30 grams is about right. Maybe a few grams more. Sure as hell not 1000.

[datas_brother]

Something to think about: Suppose you guesstimate a 33 gram loss and after all is said and done the end result turns out to be like 10 grams and he wants his money back... now what? Or even worse, the clear goes on and it's 25 grams heavier?!

I thought about that and I'm not looking for any guaranties. I want to put some facts together and let the customer decide. I'm not going to promise anything.

Tim, thanks. That is what I was looking for. If I take that and go on I get the weight of a standard paint job to be about 100 g (Paint + stickers + clear). So, if I take away paint and stickers then I will be at about 40 -45 g for clear paint (should be slightly less than powder since it's thinner).

I find it interesting that only about 5 % of what's sprayed actually sticks to the frame.

BTW I was talking to Craig Calfee about how he protects his naked bikes. They don't even have a topcoat of epoxy. He has been using 303 Protectant. Do any of you carbon people have experience with it or similar?

[gltapley]

The 303 Protectant is really good stuff, kayakers here use 303 liberally to keep their spray skirts and wetsuits in good condition. I would highly recommend the product.

Here in the US desert south west anything left un-protected sun rots in no time. The UV is really harsh at the altitude that we are at 5300 ft/1615 m, not to mention 315 days of cloudless sunshine. Paint fades, cable housing get brittle, handlebar tape get brittle. My commuter takes a beating.

Unprotected carbon,...UV damage would be a huge concern here but maybe not so much in Germany or the other Northern reaches of Europe. Really when it comes down to a descision I would recommend against no clear coat it is just to valueable to protect the carbon.

Just as too tall mentioned the person needs to be slapped...preferably the "Bitch Slap!"

[Thylacine Cycles]

That's why I don't play with weight weenies. There just isn't enough margin to justify the risks of dealing with lunatics whose hobby is to weigh stuff they don't even use in any purposeful or meaningful way.

[datas_brother]

Thanks, gltapley. That sounds good.

@Thylacine: I get a "403 Forbidden" error when clicking the link in your signature.

For the record, the guy trying to save weight doesn't have a super light bike. He is at 6033 g and wants a 5 in front. He would likely reach that by using different components but there's also the psychological factor making it look light by getting rid of anything that looks like it adds weight such as paint.

[steve garro]

he uses about 1000 g of clear on each frame but most of that does not land on the frame.Thanks

does he wear a mask when painting? that a kilo! - Garro.

[datas_brother]

does he wear a mask when painting? that a kilo! - Garro.

after 2 frames it is!

[meech151]

Just 0.1 lbs. doesn't sound so bad if powder is supposed to be heavier. My frames always seem to gain about 0.2 lbs. between the raw finished frame and the painted with primer, base coat, and clear. Then if
you decide to Frame Saver it you can add another 4.8 lbs although I doubt any weight weenies would lift a can of it, if they could.

[Mike Mcdermid]

Kevin why clear coat.....?

[datas_brother]

Kevin why clear coat.....?

Mainly UV protection but also for cosmetics.

[Dornbox]

My wife suggested referring them to a psychiatrist.

As an Architect I had to study the subject in relation to the tropic responses and basic instincts relative to the human condition... and my mother in law is a "psycho therapist". So I fancy myself a head doctor by default. My suggestion is to have your future client remove 5 cheerios from his bowl prior to riding. If that doesn't satisfy his weight fetish, I suggest an emersion therapy approach and that he purchases a nice solid steel bike, no super S3 stuff, shuts up, and rides his damn bike.

I've embarrassingly had my A$$ handed to me more than once by people who have bikes... nay, antiques, that weight twice what my ride does. It's the rider!

PS thanks for sharing, I love this stuff.-Chris

[datas_brother]

BTW after I quoted the price I never heard back. Kind of funny how that works.

[steve garro]

BTW after I quoted the price I never heard back. Kind of funny how that works.

in the F'building biz that's called a "PITA" tax. - Garro.