Looking for custom painter
 

I’ve asked before but trying this again- I’ve not received responses from two custom paint shops- not sure if it’s that they’re just so busy they don’t respond or don’t need the business, not sure. Reached out to Black Magic and Horse cycles on the east coast. I’m in California, looking to have an SL6 Tarmac painted- any solid recommendations? Maybe closer to Cali, but open to any with good reputations. Thanks

Do yourself a favor and research a quality painter nearby so you can hand deliver and pick-up the frame.
Meticulously wrapping and packing is a drag and all the weight adds to substantial shipping cost and worry.

The only times that I have frames painted far from my home is if they were proximal to the custom builder's own workshop.
If you already have the frame in your possession that makes the logistics much more of a breeze. Good luck with the search.

I had a titanium frame powder coated by Spectrum Paint and Powder Works in Colorado and it was painless, relatively fast and I thought was a good value for the money. They do wet paint as well.

https://www.spectrumpaintandpowderworks.com/

Steve Rex, a Sacramento frame builder, may be able to give you a reference as well.

https://rexcycles.com/

I like the finish on my Caletti gravel bike. You might see if John could give you a reference in the Bay Area.

https://caletticycles.com/

Best of luck and hope you post a photo of the finished product.

Good Color.

https://www.goodcolorstudio.com/

Rick Stefani at D&D Cycle is in Bay Area.

Here you go...NorCal Painters

Hot Tubes
 

Tomii uses these guys: https://www.hottubes.com/custom-paint-gallery

100% agree with what Blue Jays said, unless the painter is super well known if a 1 man shop or a bigger company (with several employees or so), in which case I'd be ok with shipping. But, that list is small, about 3-4 names!

I had my Tarmac SL3 resprayed by a shop called Element 6 in Santa Ana. I drove it there and picked it up a handful of months later, which was right per the expected timeline, i.e., no rush.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...0&postcount=28

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attac...1&d=1600235883

Rick Stefani at D&D Cycles. He paints Ritchey frames.

And of course, there's always Joe Bell.

You might try Drew at Cyclocarbon: https://www.facebook.com/cyclocarbon/, or http://www.cyclocarbon.com/contact-us/.

I've not seen any of his work in person, but the stuff he posts to FaceBook looks great. And he specializes in painting carbon; I don't know how different that is from painting steel frames.

D&D cycles or Joe's Carbon are both good options within driving distance.

Wrapping and packing IS a drag, but a packaged bike frame is going to cost dimensional weight, not actual weight.

Steve Rex wouldn't give me any recommendations. He told me he uses different people for each job.

Paint
 

I’ve used Joe’s carbon in Watsonville for some touch up repairs and he’s been very responsive and did excellent work for far less $$$ than I expected. He has a shop full of high end frames to be painted.

I would have him do a full on repaint when I need that.

Would definitely recommend him without reservation.

It’s a bit of a drive, but heck you’re almost to Santa Cruz, so make a day of it and go to beach. Stay the night at Dream Inn.

Jon

Yes, I know. We are essentially splitting hairs on a quick internet post.
Most cycling enthusiasts are within a six-hour drive of a truly superb bicycle painter.

By doing research to find a custom painter on a regional basis, one reduces headaches.
By personally and gently transporting the frame, about 99% of hassle is eliminated.

:banana:

When I contacted OPEN directly for some painter options they recommended Chuck Morris of Premier Bicycle Werks out of Orange CA. He seems to do some nice stuff:

https://www.instagram.com/premier_bicycle_werks/?hl=en