Frame Builder’s Prep & Finish

Primers, undercoats, metal plating and finishing topcoats

Spray.Bike Frame Builder's Metal Primer - 400ml
This modern hi-tech anti-corrosive primer is designed to be used on any bare metal bicycle frameset prior to painting. Its acrylic base and white color make it slightly easier to use on steel than the Frame Builder's Cold-Zinc.

  • Product color: white
  • Spray distance: at least 8 inches
  • White acrylic anti-corrosive primer
  • Ideal for raw / unpainted aluminium, steel, stainless steel and titanium bicycle framesets
  • Provides a strong adhesion for Spray.Bike paints
  • Recommended number of coats: 1
  • Drying time: 20 minutes
  • Requires no post-application heat treatment
  • On steel frames, can be used as a more modern hi-tech alternative to the Frame Builder’s Cold-Zinc

    Using the Frame Builder's Metal Primer
    Our metal primer is an all-purpose white-colored acrylic product, containing some clever ingredients to make it corrosion resistant, thus preventing rust.
    It’s designed to be used on aluminium, steel, stainless steel or titanium framesets. 
    As it's acrylic, it’s fairly straightforward to use. It is ‘wet’ though, so don’t get too close (spray distance: at least 8 inches) or it will dribble.
    Also, being acrylic, it’s sandable when dry – so any mistakes can be rubbed away.
    Its white color is also handy as you can see where you’ve been! This makes it easier to use on steel than the Frame Builder’s Cold-Zinc, as painting a metallic grey primer onto grey metal can be a bit of a visual pain!
    Please note that this primer is only for the external painting of tubes – it’s quite thick so you don’t want any inside your frame.

    Spray.Bike Frame Builder's Cold-Zinc - 400ml
    Traditionally, steel bikes were zinc-dipped before being painted, the zinc creating a non-corrosive barrier to prevent rust and prolong the frame’s life. Our cold-zinc spray primer honors that tradition and provides unrivalled protection against corrosion on steel bike frames.

    HEALTH WARNING: You do need to take care using this product as it is metal in dust form, which is not safe to breathe in! Wearing a respirator and painting with the product in a well ventilated area is therefore essential. 

    • Product color: metallic grey
    • Spray distance: ~6 inches
    • 95% galvanized zinc primer
    • Apply internally and externally to prime raw steel tubing before painting
    • Recommended number of coats: 1
    • Drying time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
    • On raw / unpainted steel frames, can be used as a more historically accurate alternative to the Frame Builder’s Metal Primer

    Using the Frame Builder’s Cold-Zinc
    Our cold-zinc is 95% galvanized zinc dust with just 5% bonder. Its high purity allows it to act effectively both as a primer and as an anti-corrosive (anti-rust) coat. However, because you are spraying almost pure liquid metal, it can be a bit tricky to use at first. 
    You need a spray distance of about 6 inches. As with our colors, the ingredients in this can are in powder form – but they're suspended in liquid, which evaporates on leaving the can. So, you are spraying zinc dust. Too far away and its adhesion is low. Too close and you get wet liquid zinc running everywhere. We recommend an initial trial on something plastic or metal that’s solid and curved to give you confidence before use. If your finish is a little rough, no problem, you can give it a light wet sand with about 1500 or a Grey Scotch Bright pad to smooth out the finish before painting. Make sure to wear the respirator while sanding. 


    Don’t over-apply. A single coat will work perfectly.


    Spraying a small amount (only a quick squirt) inside your seat tube is a good idea. You need to keep the can vertical though, so hold the frame up to do this.
    Although we state that this cold-zinc should only be used on raw steel, we've had successful results using it as a primer on chrome- and nickel-plating too.
    You do need to take care using this product as it is metal in dust form, which is not a safe thing to breathe in! Wearing a mask is therefore essential. 
    If you feel this is all a bit much, our Frame Builder's Metal Primer is a hi-tech alternative that is easier and safer to use (almost like using our paint). However, it's thick acrylic, so don’t use it internally or you’ll never get that seat post back!

    Spray.Bike Frame Builder's Carbon Primer - 400ml
    This clear primer is specifically designed for raw carbon fiber and resin composite bicycle framesets.

    • Product color: clear
    • Spray distance: about 8 inches
    • Provides a strong adhesion for Spray.Bike paints
    • Recommended number of coats: 1
    • Drying time: 10-15 minutes
    • Requires no post-application heat treatment

    Using the Frame Builder’s Carbon Primer
    Raw carbon fibre, either as a composite or a weave, is notoriously difficult to paint onto. Our carbon primer is a clever ‘etch’ primer which dries with a rough external texture that’s so micro-thin you can’t feel or see it but which allows the paint to adhere to it. 
    Make sure you spray from at least 8 inches away. And don’t over-apply. A single coat will work perfectly.
    It’s slightly odd to use at first, but it’s worth it for the results. Initially it seems to run like water, but then it lies flat and settles. Because of this, we strongly recommend you try it first on something plastic or metal that’s solid and curved, so you can understand how it applies. A small amount of practice will really help before spraying it on your expensive carbon friend!
    If any dribbles are visible after drying, lightly sand them away.
    Also, as this primer is clear, you can leave unpainted parts showing the carbon if you want but still prime the whole bike.

    Spray.Bike Frame Builder's Smoothing Putty - 400ml
    This thick cover-all putty is perfect for tatty frames. Covers minor blemishes including scratches, rust damage and stickers.

    • Product color: grey
    • Spray distance: at least 8 inches
    • Ιdeal for steel, aluminium and even carbon parts
    • Use only as much putty as necessary to smooth the damaged areas. Do not over apply
    • Dry time: 24 hrs for each coat / application
    • Easily sanded down after dry. Repeat application and sanding back if necessary
    • Requires no post-application heat treatment

    Using the Frame Builder’s Smoothing Putty
    This thick cover-all putty is perfect for tatty frames. It can be used to cover minor blemishes including scratches, rust damage and stickers. Hold the can at least 8 inches away from the surface when you spray. No need to spray the entire frame, only the areas that are damaged. The idea is that the putty serves as a filler. 

    The putty can be easily sanded down once dry (2 hrs) and repeated if necessary. to smooth out the damaged areas. The idea is that the putty serves as a filler. So you may need to apply and sand down to build up the depresses areas and few times. 

    The Putty should not be used as a primer.
    Note: if you’re using the Frame Builder’s Cold-Zinc or Metal Primer, prime first and apply the putty afterwards.

    Using the Frame Builder's Metal Plating
    All of the paints in the Metal Plating range have high metal content. For this reason, we strongly recommend using a mouth and nose mask when using these products. 
    If spraying onto a raw surface, use the appropriate Spray.Bike Frame Builder’s primer first.
    As with our other colors, the Metal Plating range can be sprayed directly onto existing paintwork. However, do note the spray distance (at least 10 inches), which is further away than the other main colors. One can will cover an entire frame and fork. 
    The plating dries hard with a slight satin finish and won't rub off. You may wish to use the Frame Builder’s Transparent Finish on top to protect against weathering.

    Spray.Bike Frame Builder's Transparent Finish - Satin/Gloss - 400ml
    Spray.Bike colors are matte. This acrylic Transparent Finish adds a satin or gloss top-coat.

    • Product color: clear
    • Spray distance: at least 8 inches
    • Ιdeal for steel, aluminium and carbon parts
    • Recommended minimum coat: one
    • One coat: satin / two or more coats: gloss
    • Drying time between coats: 2 hours. Full cure depends on a number of variables (temperature, number of coats, humidity, etc): Generally we recommend letting the frame cure for 48 hrs -7 days
    • Requires no post-application heat treatment

    Spray.Bike Frame Builder's Transparent Finish - Matte - 400ml
    This acrylic Transparent Finish adds a matte top-coat. Ideal for use on top of Spray.Bike colors. Also ideal for turning any existing gloss finish into a matte finish.

    • Product color: clear (note: is gloss when first applied but quickly dries matte)
    • Spray distance: at least 8 inches
    • Ιdeal for steel, aluminium and carbon parts
    • Recommended minimum coat: one
    • Drying time between coats: 2 hours. Full cure depends on a number of variables (temperature, number of coats, humidity, etc): Generally we recommend letting the frame cure for 48 hrs -7 days
    • Requires no post-application heat treatment

    Using the Frame Builder’s Transparent Finish
    There are two versions of the Transparent Finish. With the satin/gloss version, one coat gives a satin finish, two or more coats give a gloss finish. The matte version adds a matte top-coat, and can be used on top of Spray.Bike colors to keep them matte, or on top of any gloss finish to turn it matte. Note that with the matte version, the finish appears to be glossy when first applied but don't worry – it dries completely matte very quickly.
    Make sure the paint is completely dry before applying the finish. Shake can well. Hold the can at least 8 inches away from the surface and waft gently, keeping your hand/arm moving at all times. Recommended minimum coat: one. Drying time between coats: 2 hours. Full cure depends on a number of variables (temperature, number of coats, humidity, etc): Generally we recommend letting the frame cure for 48 hrs -7 days.
    With new stickers or decals, set on top of your new paint-job and then seal with the Frame Builder's Transparent Finish. Note though that in very rare circumstances, the acetone in the Transparent Finish can affect the ink in a decal or sticker. To check this, spray a small amount of Transparent Finish onto a test decal/sticker. If it melts the ink or the ink runs, you'll have to place the actual decal/sticker over the Transparent Finish on your frameset.
    Be aware also that the Matte Transparent Finish adds an opaque textured layer when sprayed onto a clear surface, so don't spray onto stickers or decals with a transparent backing – unless you want that transparent backing to have a frosted, opaque effect.

    Spray.Bike Frame Builder's Top Wax - 400ml
    This water-based finishing wax is suitable for all bikes.

    • Product color: clear
    • Spray instructions: Do not spray directly onto the frame. Instead, spray onto a paper towel or lint-free cloth and apply gently.
    • Creates an invisible micro-thin protective barrier for all painted metal, carbon or even wood frames
    • Doesn’t create shine on matte paintwork, so perfect for all Spray.Bike colors
    • Contains Carnauba wax
    • Re-apply regularly, especially after cleaning

    Using the Frame Builder’s Top Wax
    The Top Wax is suitable for all bikes. As a high performance water-based finishing wax, it creates an invisible micro-thin protective barrier for all painted metal, carbon or even wood frames. It doesn’t create shine on matte paintwork, so it’s perfect for all Spray.Bike colors.
    Don’t spray directly onto the frame. Instead, spray onto a paper towel or lint-free cloth and apply gently.
    You should re-apply the top wax regularly, especially after cleaning your bike.