- So we've had loads of requests come in on how
to get your bike's paint work looking good again.
So today we're gonna do just that.
It's your pride and joy after all.
By the time we're done with it you're gonna be the
envy of all your riding mates at the caf'.
It's gonna look good.
(upbeat music)
Now what is essential is that your frame
and forks are spotless. If you're unsure how to do
that there is a link in the description
below on how to clean your bike properly.
If you've got a matte finish bike what's really important
is to rinse it with cold water from a hosepipe
and then rinse it again and then clean it.
The reason being if there's any grit at all on the frame
when you come to actually wash it with a sponge you're
gonna get some very, very faint scratches.
And that's not what you want on your bike.
(rock music)
Now if you've got yourself a glossy frame,
this on here belongs to my colleague Tom Last,
he designed the paint work himself you know.
I recommend using this, this is carnauba wax.
This is actually from the leaves of a plant
which is found in northeast Brazil.
Presumably it's to help repel the rain
which I understand is pretty common there.
Now why do we use carnauba wax? I hear you ask.
Well, it's used in car wax and why?
Well, importantly it's one of the hardest
and toughest natural waxes there is
and it's also insoluble or practically anyway in water.
So if it's good enough for cars I reckon
it's good enough for our bike.
(energetic music)
Now if you've got one of these, a matte
or satin type finish on your bike,
increasingly popular these days, don't use the carnauba wax.
The reason being it actually reduces the
appearance of the matte finish.
And after all you got the matte finish for a reason right?
Now I've actually just spoken to Alistair McLean
at Fatcreations who specialises in bike spraying
and he loves the look of matte finishes.
He doesn't enjoy spraying them too much
as it involves a whole nother process from standard jobs
and sometimes to get it just right can take a long time.
Now I can testify myself I own a couple of matte frame
and forks and yep, they can be pretty hard
to keep clean at times.
I can however recommend this thoroughly.
WD-40 bike cleaner, it's worked wonders on my bikes
to get rid of any oil or little blemishes.
As well as this, the humble wet wipe or baby wipe.
I know loads of pros who use this to clean their bikes,
their shoes, even their helmet.
Highly recommend it. So why can't we use carnauba wax
on a matte or satin frame finish?
Well, you've gotta think about it like this,
if you were to look at the paint work under a microscope
it's full of peaks and troughs.
It looks like a mountain range.
If you then start layering on wax or polish
basically you're reducing that so it looks flat.
Really the way that the light reflects off
of it is totally different.
You're gonna ruin the matte finish. It's not what you want.
So how are we actually gonna protect
and revitalise your matte paint?
Get yourself along to a decent local bike shop,
a decent car accessories shop.
What you're gonna get recommended is
actually something in liquid form.
The reason being it won't fill in those mountain peaks
and troughs that I've just explained.
Instead it's gonna follow the contours of the paint
and it's gonna leave your matte paint work looking good.
(upbeat music)
Now if you're building a bike from scratch
or you want full protection I recommend
having just the frame and forks to work on.
That way you can get into all the intricacies,
all the fine details and actually give yourself
better protection, better shine, longer lasting.
The good news it some products I've read
have a 12 month lifetime.
So all that hard work is certainly worth it.
Now if you've not been able to strip the bike down
just to the frame and forks don't worry
although I would recommend removing your brakes,
your chain set, your derailleurs so you can work the wax
or the liquid into all those nooks and crannies.
Then it's simply a case of following the instructions
on the product, applying it, and you're done.
(upbeat music)
And now to actually stop any damage of the paintwork
I recommend putting on some of these,
they're self adhesive clear patches,
they stop any cable rub ideal to protect that paintwork.
You can also get them that go underneath the down tube
that's good if you're riding off road.
It stops any gravel or stone flicking up
and damaging or chipping away at your paint.
(energetic music)
Now I think Mr. Tom Last is gonna be pretty impressed
with what I've done to his bike here.
Not only have I given it good polish, paintwork gleaming,
it's looking pretty bling too.
Now do remember to like and share
this video with your friends.
And to subscribe to the Global Cycling Network
click just in here and for two more great videos
how about how to wash your helmet? Click just down here.
And how to prevent scratches, click just down here.