Painting an entire bike with reflective paint?

[digitalmacdonald]

I am thinking of painting a ZX636 a nice bright orange colour and wanted to know if I can take it a step further by making the paint reflective.

I am talking about the kind of finish that you get when you add the tiny glass beads to a clear coat over the colour. This is the same type of finish you get on the cats eyes on the road.

Has anyone every done this for a bike? Is it legal to have such reflectivness all over the bike? Am I being a complete idiot (because the reflective paint will make it hard to see the turn indicators)?

Any thoughts?

[boomer]

I am thinking of painting a ZX636 a nice bright orange colour and wanted to know if I can take it a step further by making the paint reflective.

I am talking about the kind of finish that you get when you add the tiny glass beads to a clear coat over the colour. This is the same type of finish you get on the cats eyes on the road.

Has anyone every done this for a bike? Is it legal to have such reflectivness all over the bike? Am I being a complete idiot (because the reflective paint will make it hard to see the turn indicators)?

Any thoughts?

why not just buy a car and drive it up and down queen street instead?

great idea

[Disco Dan]

The words, "road cone" spring to mind. My opinion? I think your overreacting a little....

As idiotic as car drivers are........ some of the 'visibility' responsibility lies with you... in other words.. riding defensively.

[H00dz]

Sounds like a interesting idea but think you might want to check out the LTSA got a feeling they may have some issues with it...having said that.... If your really keen "Have at you !!!"

They say it's better to lead then follow.....Love to see some pics if you do

[Cr1MiNaL]

Fukin go for it mate.. nuthing better than being original. Don let anyone else tell you otherwise.

[fredie]

how about dayglo paint . glow in the dark paint . ive seen it .

[crazefox]

how about dayglo paint . glow in the dark paint . ive seen it .

You are allowed to do it.I have done a car in it,BUT it doesnt last very long it fades very fast.Prob only lasts about 6-8 months

[davereid]

Just nip down here and park it in the south service lane by the railway line. The homies will paint it for you with very pretty dayglow paint

[digitalmacdonald]

You are allowed to do it.I have done a car in it,BUT it doesnt last very long it fades very fast.Prob only lasts about 6-8 months

You obviously know your stuff.

Are you referring to the Day Glow paint or the reflective paint with the glass beads (Retroreflector properties)?

Do you mean that the entire finish only lasts for 6-8 months (therefore the entire bike looks like crap) or that the reflectiveness of it only lasts 6-8 months (therefore the bike sitll looks OK but does not 'shine' as much at night)?

[digitalmacdonald]

For what its worth, I am not thinking of this just to look like a knob. I just thought it could be a unique finish that could have some associated benefits including increased safety and visability.

I have always like bright orange and thought that making it stand out at night could be interesting.

I know I may be openning the fload gates with this comment, but I personally don't see reflective orange to be any more of an unnatural or 'look at me' colour than the bright Kawa green that seems so popular. Except maybe that there are more green bikes already on the road. Just my opinion.

[Steam]

You can buy that glass-bead sand they put on the roads. That reflective bead sand on a final clear-coat over the orange would be the trick.
I got about a kilo of it from a truck that was painting my road. I just went up to them and asked "can I get some of that sand from you guys, I have $10" and they smiled and gave it to me.
I mixed it with polyurethane and painted it on the box I have on the back of my bicycle. It is pretty reflective, but certainly not as much as a reflective sign or sticker.
Good luck with your project. I also like orange, especially fluoro orange. I have some fluoro overalls I wear often, I love them so!