Frequently Asked Questions

I tend to get asked the same questions by customers, so below you’ll find some FAQ’s. There’s also a “Stuff to know” section (on the footer of this page) with more information, particularly on after care.

If the answer’s not there or below then please just drop me an email or a WhatsApp message.

How long does a respray take?

Generally it’s 2-3 weeks for a respray, but every design is different so this can vary. Complicated designs are likely to take a bit longer. If your frame is going to be grit blasted then it’s another couple of weeks on top of that as I send the frames to a specialist.

And it's a good idea to wait around 3 weeks after spraying before rebuilding your bike. Lets the paint and lacquer cure a bit and lessens the likelihood of damage while rebuilding.

Do I have to have my frame grit blasted?

If the existing paint is in good condition, and there are no signs of rust/corrosion, then no, you don’t have to.

But removing the existing paint gives a much better finish, and a better bond for new paintwork. On a metal frame, where there might be lugs etc, grit blasting will really reveal the detail of these and make then look crisper.

This isn‘t true on carbon frames generally. Bigger, rounder, and smoother tubes tend to mean it’s not such an issue. We can of course remove existing paint from a carbon frame, but it has to be done by hand, and so is more expensive.

When can you work on my frame?

I tend to get booked up some months ahead, and there’s a limit to the number of frames I can work on at a time, so we’ll need to agree a date for you to drop your frame off.

Do all the components need to be removed for it be resprayed?

Quite simply, yes.

If you can't do this yourself, or simply don't want to, we can do that for you. Or if there's a component you can't remove because you don't have the right tool, we can do that for you too.

And we can put you bike back together after spraying as well if needed.

Can you spray a carbon frame?

Yes. The only difference is generally the primer used.

Can you repair damaged frames?

No. I’m not a frame builder, and I can’t do carbon repairs. But I know people that can. Drop me a line and I’ll put you in touch with them.

I can of course sort out the paintwork after any repair work.

How much do you charge for a respray?

Just have a look at the “Costs” section on this website. Will give you a good indication.

Do you do general bike repairs?

I do. Drop me a line, and let me know what needs doing, and I can advise on costs etc.

Can you change just the colour of the logos on my bike?

Afraid not. It’s not possible to accurately mask existing logos. They wouldn’t need to be resprayed completely, and this probably means the frame would need to be resprayed too.

Do you do touch ups?

We generally only do touch ups on frames that we’ve sprayed. Issues with matching other people’s paint makes this really difficult so we tend to avoid this type of work.

If you really want us to do this for you then drop us a line to discuss. It's important to accept there are sometimes limitations on what we can do.

Will a respray void the warranty on my frame?

Probably. On an older frame this probably isn’t an issue, but on a new frame it‘s worth checking with the supplier/manufacturer if this is something you’re concerned about. That said, nothing I‘d do as part of the painting process will damage a frame.

Can I post you my frame?

Yes, I’m happy to receive frames in the post.

If you want your frame posted back to you I can do that too, but please bear in mind the following:

1. The frame will need to cure for around 3 weeks before it can be sent back to you. This is to give the paint and lacquer a chance to cure before wrapping.

2. I will package the frame using the packing you’ve used to send your frame to me. The better packaged the frame is when it’s sent, the better it will be when it’s returned.

3. I always use UPS to send frames. The cost of shipping is generally around £50-60.

4. I obviously can’t be responsible for any damage caused during transit.

5. It is far better to come and collect your frame in person, but if that‘s just not possible for you, and you accept the above, then we can do this for you.

I've had a bike fit before. Do I really need another one?

Only you know the answer to that.

If you're getting any pain, or you're becoming uncomfortable after spending a while on a bike, then chances are there's something that can be changed to make this better. We're also all getting older, so a bike fit from a few years ago may not be the best for you now.

The aim of a bike fit is to find the most comfortable position for you. Riding a bike shouldn't be an uncomfortable experience. It should make you smile.

Do I really need to have my cleats aligned?

If you've never had this done, or you've had it done by someone else, then we'd want to do this for you before starting to look at the rest of your position on the bike. Cleat position really is the key stone of a bike fit. If it's not right then nothing else will be.