Townie bicycle is getting too many compliments - Uglify

[markz]

I really need to uglify the bicycle, but I dont want to frock up the paint when I go to peel it off.

I need tips or suggestions.

I was thinking black electrical tape around the tubing, or that green painters tape then paint it black.

 

[amberwolf]

old inner tubes
--remove valve stem
--slit inner circumference
--cut to length for frame tubes
--ziptie or tape around frame tubes, etc.

you can also spray paint the inner tubes before application, and then as they flex and bend the paint will crack and flake off, making them even uglier.

 

[torker]

1) That folks want to uglify their bikes.
2) That people have great ideas to uglify those bikes.

8) 8) That is cool...

 

[markz]

Ah thanks amberwolf that is a good tidbit of info. It acts as a good protector of the bikes paint also.

 

[The fingers]

Strap a couple of baskets onto front and rear racks with bungee cords and fill them with shopping/garbage bags and miscellaneous road kill plastic car mirrors and stuff. Add reflective tape and extra bungees all over and strips of cloth rags. Works for me. :lol:

 

[spinningmagnets]

Clean it good, put on a thick coat of wax, then primer...The primer should easily scratch off without hurting paint underneath. Test this on a junk frame first.

 

[dogman dan]

I was thinking pancake syrup, then dirt. Let dry in the sun awhile. It would of course need re application if it rains. So maybe that is only good for us desert dogs.

Plain old electric tape has the least sticky glue on it, so that might be the thing, tape it up.

Are you really going to re sell it anyway? Sand on the wet paint makes it the most ugly. Make it look stolen and repainted in a dirt lot.

 

[HamsterPower]

Some of the best "ugly" bikes are by design. Around here, there's a million Google bikes (aka clown bikes) sitting everywhere not locked and free for the taking.

 

[markz]

Well that was my thought was to resell the Townie 21D just because I got it real cheap, I think I paid $300(CDN) for it, which is like $225(USD) but I actually kind of like the 21D. But yeah just about everyday some scruffy person says they like my bike because the blue pops out at them, so a black color would be nice. I like the innertube idea the best so far, then I can add additional ugliness to the tubes.

 

[MadRhino]

Rust Rat finish. That is what I would do: An art job of ugliness. Check with custom automotive shops to find a kit, or DIY methods that are many on Youtube.

 

[spinningmagnets]

I like the Rat Rod suggestion. The new "reproduction" antique market for furniture means there are a variety of products that can make aluminum look like its steel that is rusting. Search "patina"...

 

[markz]

Rust paint using salt
http://www.thevspotblog.com/2012/02/create-faux-rust-effect-using-spray.html

 

[kdog]

I love it when people spray paint their frames but don't take any running gear off. Spokes tyres chain seat nuts you name it all the same colour. Ha!-that is ugly!! Cheap and quick too.

 

[dogman dan]

If you are going to keep it, just make it ugly permanent. Get out the flat black, then throw the dirt on the wet paint. Paint the thing complete, right down to the rubber on the tires.

I tell this story over and over. back in the 70's a friend bought a new Honda 750, this was back before the KZ's so at the time, the fastest stock bike out there. two in a row got stole in a matter of weeks. Insurance bought another each time. The third one he took home, poured oil all over it, and then rode it down a dirt road.

5 years later, he's been parking that bike with the keys in it for years, no takers. It looked like worth nothing, when it was a week old.

 

[MadRhino]

 

[OptimusPrime]

You can get plasti dip in spray cans in different colors. That stuff is made to peel off when you want it off

 

[neptronix]

Take it from a pro... build your bike entirely from mismatched used parts, starting at the frame.

Works for me.

 

[parajared]

Is this a humblebrag post?