Beginner paint color questions

[ThiloK]

Hello everyone,

I have spent way to much time on here and decided to buy my first chinese frame!

I am not sure what color/finish I want/need on my frame and have some general questions

Raw Finish
Is this only a good option if you want to paint it yourself?
Do you need some kind of UV protection or can you just ride the bike like this?

Raw Carbon Glossy
I guess this would be the 2nd lightest option and have some UV Protection

UD black matte and black glossy are the next lightest option and probably weigh about the same

Color options would be the heaviest option with around 100€ extra cost. This would add around 60-100g of weight?


I like the look of the raw carbon without a coat, but I am a little worried about durability. I would put some PPF on the downtube

Bike will be the Light Carbon LCR018-D

Thanks and greetings
Thilo

[Blueberry]

personally, I would only recommend getting raw if you plan to paint it yourself. getting a clear coat would be a better option if you want lightweight but don't want to paint it yourself. Pigment adds a bit of weight. Some colors weigh more than others, white tends to be the heaviest because it takes the most pigment. I think your 60-100g estimate is probably accurate.

[00Garza]

I tried painting a frame once. My prep work wasn't great and I didn't have a temp controlled room to work in. Humidity, temp, and poor prep work lead to a disaster. Learned a lot, but I leave it to the pros now.

[jonathanf2]

I recently just painted two frames. One frame was matte, the other glossy. Matte in general weighs less. Gloss paint is more like a candy coat and is heavier. If you want raw, I'd at least get it with a UD matte clear coat. That will probably be your lightest weight option and the frame should be ready to ride. Raw only with no clear coat is for DIY paint only. It will most likely not be properly sanded and will be quite rough looking.