sand.

Wet sanding = Epic Fail.

In my book, anyways.  I started a test patch a couple of days ago to test out the "wet sanding" before I apply the technique to the entire bike... Good thing. The idea is that you use a super-fine paper (try 400-grit, waterproof) and windex (or any glass cleaner) to sand the surface of the final color coat lightly.  Then you apply your gloss (or other finish coat.)  It may have to do with the very dark color I'm using, but after a light all-over with the wet paper, the look was pastel and streaky. Ugh. Even after a wipe down with a damp cloth, the look didn't change. Now, in it's defense, as I sprayed the gloss, the streaks and lightness disappeared; I was left with a great looking finish. But. Really, who wants to do all the extra (and might I add, very messy) work to get the same finish as you would without the wet-sand?  If you're an expert, I have a few questions... Does this help the top coat out in any way? Maybe the gloss lasts longer, or adheres better? I'm going to check mine out in the morning to see if it's just really fantastic, but otherwise, the wet-sand is a step I'll be skipping.

Before and after gloss.  Using the bubbles as a reference, can you see a difference? I think the finish looks much the same... 

spray.

I think that this post finally catches up to current on the bike situation. Technically speaking...

As of right this moment, the painting is half-way finished. We stripped everything down to bare metal; we're talking sanded like crazy, which actually took us a couple of weeks. We used 80-grit paper, wire brushes, scouring pads, and a bit of paint stripper for the tough spots.  All in all, it turned out great.  A final once over with a 110-grit paper got it ready for primer.  I used a grey prime, since I'm using a darker color.  The jury is still out on whether or not the grey will also work under white paint.  Trial and error, my friends.

Two coats of purple later, here's the results... See for yourself:

There's still a bit to go: About two more coats of the base color, a round of wet-sanding for everyone, a little detail work to give it some pizazz, then a nice glossy top-coat.  If you've ever done this before, and you have any tips before I jump in to the top-coat, feel free to share.  I'm a little nervous about getting a nice gloss that will last for a while. 

ride.

In March(ish) of '09, my husband found a great deal on a pair of Huffy road bikes.  Now, I know that Huffys are for kids, but at both for $15, we couldn't resist.  All we were looking for was a "practice" bike anyways.  Our goal is to strip 'em, paint 'em, re-build 'em, and ride 'em. Just for fun...

Mine, the lady-bike, is a Huffy Ultima series, cute little 10-speed.  It started a robin's egg blue, but with all of the rust and wear, it's getting a full do-over.

My husband's, the man-bike, is a Huffy Super-10, also a 10-speed, that started life a brilliant yellow.  He's just too creative to leave it at that though...

I'll be posting pictures, mostly of my bike, as we go along, start to finish.  Here's a few to get you started, mostly "before" shots:

begin.

Welcome! This blog is meant to be a place where I can share the things that keep me busy.  I have a habit of throwing myself relentlessly into side projects.  Sometimes they are things that I feel just need to be done, sometimes they are complete failures, but sometimes I get lucky and strike on a fantastic creative outlet.  Enjoy....