Clear-coat paint job for carbon fork? What (or who) do folks here recommend?

[hoj]

Hi all,

I've got a raw, unpainted carbon fork that I would like to get painted with a glossy clear coat finish -- pretty simple and straightforward right? I don't mind shipping it somewhere to have someone with a solid reputation do the painting, however this is my first time having something custom painted so I don't even know where to begin.

First question -- Any idea how much something like this should realistically cost? Not sure if I need/want to pay a high premium for this, however I also definitely don't want the job to be sub-par work -- I just need something that will look professionally done and will hold up over time.

Second question -- who do you all recommend for this? Anyone in particular I should reach out to?

Thanks in advance

[Ken Robb]

I have had carbon forks with and without clearcoat paint. I thought the matte finished looked as good as the glossy and the glossy ones eventually got some nicks/chips in the clearcoat.

[Yoshi]

https://www.hottubes.com/

[hoj]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

I have had carbon forks with and without clearcoat paint. I thought the matte finished looked as good as the glossy and the glossy ones eventually got some nicks/chips in the clearcoat.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah this is something I had also considered myself...

Another option I had considered would be to do a clear cerakote finish since presumably that would be a bit more resistant to nicks/chips... not sure if others have opinions on the benefit (if any) that cerakote might offer over a traditional paint job?

[Blue Jays]

There is such a thing as a clear Cerakote coating?
That is awesome news to learn. Following this thread.

[hoj]

Originally Posted by Blue Jays

There is such a thing as a clear Cerakote coating?
That is awesome news to learn. Following this thread.

Yep. Here you go:

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerako...-ceramic-clear

This honestly might be the route I go if I can find someone who will do it at a reasonable cost...

[Dave]

All you need is some fine sandpaper or scotchbrite pad, some acetone, a tack rag and a spray can of 2k clear urethane. I just clear coated a carbon seatpost this weekend, with leftover clear urethane from my hot rod build.

There's got to be a YouTube video on it.

[Blue Jays]

I am in a love affair with Cerakote as a coating because it has proven really durable.
That wonderful news about a clear version becoming available totally made my day!

[dave thompson]

Don’t contract to have something like a bike frame or fork Cerakoted until you have seen a similar object done in Cerakote. Cerakote has limited color choices, many of them have to be oven cured and, in my opinion, the colors are sort of dull and lifeless.

[HenryA]

Originally Posted by Dave

All you need is some fine sandpaper or scotchbrite pad, some acetone, a tack rag and a spray can of 2k clear urethane. I just clear coated a carbon seatpost this weekend, with leftover clear urethane from my hot rod build.

There's got to be a YouTube video on it.

It really is this easy. All the stuff you need will cost less than shipping the fork off for paint. Another choice might be finding a local body shop and asking them to clear coat it for you. When they are shooting clear, your fork will take maybe 5 minutes to do if you have it prepped and ready.