Updated on June 22, 2022
The cost of painting a motorcycle often falls between $300 and $1,600.
Prior to beginning the painting process, your bike must undergo a significant amount of preparatory work. As long as your motorcycle is in good shape, a simple paint job might save you a lot of money.
How to Paint Your Own Bike
You’ll need a large enough area to distribute paint on your own motorcycle. Spraying your bike in an area that does not have sufficient ventilation is a terrible idea. Even if the garage door is left open, an oscillating fan will help keep odours at bay.
If you can, take off any parts of your motorcycle that need to be painted. An Allen wrench of a specific size is required to remove equipment such as the tank. Keep bolts in plastic bags labelled “rear fender,” for example.
You’ll first need to sand the surface down to prepare it for painting. If the service isn’t smooth, paint won’t apply evenly or beautifully. If you don’t have a power sander, use sandpaper in a circle to remove old paint.
Remove any residual dust by wiping off the surface after sanding. You’ll need a blank canvas before you can begin painting. Body filler can be utilised in the event of dings. Apply it in a thin layer, no more than 1/8 inch thick, to avoid clumps.
You’ll need to re-sand the surface when the body filler has dried. Check these areas for smoothness in well-lit areas before painting.
Applying Paint
Before painting, you’ll first apply two layers of epoxy primer. In the long run, this prevents rusting by shielding metal from moisture. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the epoxy container before you begin.
Soft sanding will be done after the second coat of epoxy has been applied to the floor. It is suggested that you use a 2000 grit wet-and-dry sandpaper. Be sure to fully clean your paint spray gun before using it. Mix the paint with the specified amount of thinner before filling your sprayer.
Using a spray gun, apply three or four coats of paint to the areas that require it. You should avoid getting too close to your motorcycle, or holding the sprayer in one position, while you are spraying paint. It’s important to use even the quickest of strokes on the bike’s surface. The next step in preserving your freshly painted surface from the elements is to apply two coats of clearcoat lacquer (per the manufacturer’s instructions).
Options and Cost for Doing a Custom Paint Job
DIY
This DIY paint job will allow you to personalise your motorcycle without breaking the bank. You’ll only need a primer and a topcoat to complete the project on your own.
The final product’s quality will solely be determined by your artistic ability, therefore don’t expect to spend more than $50 to $80 on this job.
Bike Brand Options
Trek, Orange, and Orbea are just a few of the manufacturers that offer unique paint possibilities. Your new bike can be painted to your specifications as quickly as possible, despite a limited selection of colours. Customizing the colour of your motorcycle is a simple and inexpensive process.
Specialized Custom Painters
Only highly skilled and artistic custom bike painters should be trusted when it comes to creating and painting your own custom bike. There are several painters to choose from, including Fatcreations, Kustom Flow, and Ooey Custom Paint.
For painting and custom decals, you may expect to pay anything from $250 to $550, depending on the complexity of the project and the amount of time it takes the artist to complete.
Paint Job on Carbon vs Aluminum
Custom painting a carbon frame is often more expensive than custom painting an aluminium frame.
Powder coating increases the likelihood of carbon delamination and consequent weakness, making the sanding, painting, and drying operations more difficult.
Top 3 Custom Bike Painters
Fatcreations
Fatcreations is one of the best-known companies in the field of custom bike painting. An ex-pro downhill racer, the owner has painted the bikes of several top-level mountain bikers.
Kustomflow
If you want your bike, shoes, and helmet painted to a high standard, make a beeline for the Kustomflow. Customers will be impressed by the bargain-basement pricing and high-quality product.
Ooey Custom Paint
Ooey Custom Paint offers services for both road and mountain bikes. Their paintwork is visible through the tube of the frame finish, giving them an entirely unique sports car appearance.
Their fees are reasonable, however some people may find them prohibitively expensive.
What Will it Cost?
Rather than hiring a professional artist to do an elaborate design that will take several hours of painting and repair time, you can do it yourself and save a lot of money.
Even if your bike is in fantastic condition, you should budget for several hundred dollars for a simple repair. It will be clear to you whether or not doing it yourself is worth your time and money.
Who Gets Their Bike Frame Professionally Painted?
A custom paint job is the finest way to get the desired look. Perhaps you’re a fashion-conscious road rider. As an alternative, you may be restoring a classic bicycle. If this is the case, having your house painted by a professional is highly recommended.
Can I Paint a Bike Frame Myself?
To paint a bike frame, you’ll need to go through the steps of sanding, priming, painting, and sealing it with a clear coat. However, most people are able to handle the task on their own.
Conclusion
Hire the best painter you can afford if you want a custom paint job. Your dream bike is within reach, even if the price tag seems prohibitive.
To complete the look of your newly painted bike, you can purchase matching coloured components.
