Sam,
Needless to say, I didn't tell you everything I know about painting bikes. Remember, 15 coats over the decals and nine (for that particular color which is not normal but about the most any color takes) which is why I selected that one as an example. You take a look at the frame when Charles gets it back and see if it looks like nine coats to you. It won't, which is why I mentioned it; it even surprised me. Obviously my deffinition of a "coat" is not the same as yours.
This brings up another point that has come up before. You come from a car painting background; which ironically may be a disadvantage to you since painting bikes is exactly opposite of painting cars. You'd be better off not knowing anything about painting most likely. That also holds true to brazing, filing, and who knows what else. Framebuilding is a very specific artform and most operations are unique to framebuilding.
The only thing you would learn from a walk through my paint operation is that world class paintwork can come from a complete lack of high tech fancy spray booths and filtered foo foo gadgets. The resulting finish is due to the skill and experience of the painter, not the equipment. Yes, it is FAR more difficult and less effecient under my conditions but that's where my experience comes in. I doubt very few others could get the results I do under similar conditions. That would be valuable for you to know, but I just told you so take my word for it. The shock of seeing it would probably short circuit you for life.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
>
> Brian 15 coats? paint become brittle with more than 3 mills on there. I
> have used PPG, DuPont, PCL, and others -- base coat, thin clear coat, dry
> then color sand, add decals and custom stripes, two top coats possible three
> of clear. You do paint far better than I do so I am not trying to debate
> this. I have put intricate flames on old cars with less steps. I wish I had
> the time and you felt like walking me through your work area sometime I might
> learn something. Sam DiBartolomeo in Southern CA