Paint your bike / bicycle / gear reflective!

Step 7 Wrapup / Future Ideas

I would not apply these beads to any surface which is regularly abraded (rubbed, touched, etc). The finished surface is rough (though not sandpaper rough).

As I have disc brakes on my bicycle my next application will be on the rims. I have yet to find a tire that I like that has reflective sidewalls, many manufacturers just don't do reflective sidewalls.

My next experiment with adhesion of the glass beads will probably be using an industrial 2 part clear epoxy which takes much longer to dry and should provide much better adhesion for the glass beads.

You could also use a colored paint to adhere the glass beads, there's no reason it has to be a clearcoat. Rattle canning your old bike frame? Why not make it reflective too!

I will also be doing this to the # sign on the front of my house so the numbers are reflective, just need to do a bit more masking.

Thanks for your attention!

Ride safely!

Comments

[emerson.john]

Why not use liquid polyurethane and a brush? I will give you plenty of working time, and when it dries the thicker film will more durable. 

[Granny D]

You have inspired me! I am going to go and reflectorize everything I own- beginning with my helmet. There is a masking medium used by artists - the name escapes me for the moment - that you just paint on and rub off when you are done. I am going to try it and see if that works. That way I can get "artsy".

[goodgnus]

I think you are talking about "Fixative".

[Aspersa]

Ack, no!! Fixative is like hairspray for artwork, it'll seal everything up and is non-removable (which works like a dream, if that's what you want to do). Watercolourists use a "masking fluid" which is essentially thin latex in an ammonia-based emulsion. Brush it on, peel it off. It's fantastic for stencilwork. Be sure to ventilate properly, it'll smell. Thanks so much for the idea, Goodgnus! I've got some spheres on order and fully intend to play with patterns on my bike frame. Have you tried coating your rims yet? How did that work out?

[DLSfilms]

I use Parma Liquid Mask, product number 701, that I get from my local hobby store.  It's cheaper than the art store and cleans off my brushes easily with some "Master's" Brush cleaner which is basically like a soap bar.

[whitato1]

Living in Switzerland people are more aware of bikers. However, this safety idea is fantastic and I am going to do this with my bike. Please let us know about using epoxy rather than regular spray paint or clearcoat.

[jeff-o]

Regarding the tires, check out Schwalbe. Many of their tires have reflective sidewalls, especially the ones meant for commuter bikes.

[goodgnus]

Thanks, Schwalbe does make some nice tires, I have looked at them prior. I pretty much run only Maxxis tires. Firstly because they have an awesome product line and lastly because a friend of mine gets them at half retail through his racing team. The problem with reflective material on tires is tires eventually wear out. I am really looking forward to getting my rims coated with this stuff.

[jeff-o]

I haven't had any trouble with the reflective material coming off on my Schwalbes, and they've been on my bike for months now. But, half off is tough to beat!

[goodgnus]

I wasn't implying that the reflective material wore off, just that the tires themselves wear out and having reflective rims seems more permanent to me. I run 2.4" Holy Rollers on my commuter (which happens to be a mtn bike). Some people call me crazy but it certainly makes for a better workout and with just a bit more effort I can maintain the same avg speed and trip time as I can with the 1.95" Specialized Armadillos I have, plus with 2.4's I can roll up and over pretty much anything.

[jeff-o]

Ah! I see what you mean now. Yes, reflective rims would be great. Instead of paint, try using reflective tape. You can even alternate colours (red and white?) for a more visible effect.

[goodgnus]

I chose the glass beads because I hadn't seen it executed yet. My goal is to have night time conspicuity and not have my bike look like a clown's outfit during the day. I realize they make black reflective tape, but I had already decided on the glass beads at that point.

[Calorie]

Agreed. Schwalbe tires are exceptionally durable tires. And they do reflect like mad. The marathon series are excellent. I've accidentally run over beer bottle pieces (not shards, but half of a bottle) with them. They are bullet proof. I found that they are popular in Europe for a good reason. They are a tad on the expensive, but I'd rather fork out the cash now than being stranded on the side of a busy highway waiting for a ride. I even use their Stelvio brand for my road bike. I had many flats with the stock bontrager tires, but the Schwalbe Stelvios put an end to that!

[jeff-o]

Marathon is exactly what I have. :) Worth every penny!