What are the steps involved in coating your veloheld frame?
1
Corrosion protection - the ED-Black coating
After the frame and fork have been welded, they are subjected to cathodic dip coating (ED-Black Coating, electrophoretic deposition paint). In this electrochemical process, the parts are coated in a bath of aqueous, black dip coating under a DC voltage of 3,000 amps and from 220 to approx. 290 volts. After the bath, the parts are briefly baked at approx. 230 degrees. This primer is free of heavy metals, between 10 and 40 µm thick and also reaches the cavities in the frame and fork to protect them from corrosion over the long term.
Attention: This primer is only used for frames and forks manufactured in Asia. Frames manufactured in Germany are only treated with a protective interior sealant after coating.
2
The paint - the powder coating is applied
Now comes the actual color in the form of your desired color or the standard color on the frame, fork and mudguards. This is applied electrostatically to the components as a thin layer of powder (approx. 60 – 120 µm) and then baked (cross-linked) at up to 200 degrees in special ovens for approx. 20 minutes. For all these processes, we rely on the experience of a service provider close to our company headquarters in Dresden. We are delighted that this qualitatively successful business relationship has already existed for over 10 years.
3
Ein echtes Veloheld-Bike – das Anbringen der Dekore
Nachdem der Rahmen abgekühlt ist, werden die charakteristischen veloheld-Dekore im Design des jeweiligen Modells aufgebracht. Diese sind je nach Modell unterschiedlich über die Rahmenrohre verteilt, sodass das Fahrrad seinen unverwechselbaren veloheld-Look erhält.
Eine vollständige Entfernung der Dekore oder Dekore in Rahmenfarbe sind leider nicht möglich. Dafür bieten wir die Wahl zwischen silbernen und schwarzen Dekoren, die optimal zu jeder Wunschfarbe des Rahmens kontrastieren und dein neues Bike individuell abrunden.
4
The finish - the clear lacquer in matt or glossy
To protect the decors and, of course, the color and give them their final appearance, all components are given a clear powder coating at the end of the process. This can be glossy or matt.
Due to the smooth surface, a glossy finish has the advantage that dirt adheres less easily and is therefore easier to clean than a matt frame. The color also appears more brilliant. A matt finish always makes the base color appear slightly lighter.
What color options are available?
In addition to the standard colors, you can choose your desired color for the frame, fork and mudguards from over 200 RAL Classic and many Prismatic Powders colors. These are available in a glossy or matt finish. The fluorescent colors in the RAL table are not recommended, as they are not UV-resistant and can fade over time.
For all those who cannot find a suitable shade in the RAL colors, we can also coat your new bike in some special colors, including those of the American manufacturer Prismatic Powders. With over 6500 colors, you will find an almost infinite selection of metallic, transparent and other effect colors. We will be happy to advise you on prices, availability and our recommendations (many colors are very similar).
A maximum of three colors can be implemented on one frame. Only one color is possible for the fork and mudguards. The transitions can be realized “hard” or as a gradient. Please note that due to the overlapping layer thickness, a small elevation/edge may occur at transitions without a gradient. We are also happy to advise you on this with our experience in direct contact.
Here are some important tips for coating with the colors of your choice:
We will be happy to give you recommendations on possible combinations with our decors and also with regard to matt or glossy finishes. For example, it is not possible to combine a black frame with black decor.
With certain colors, especially Prismatic colors, it is possible that decors can also be colored to a certain extent. With some light-colored frames and fork colors, it is possible for decors to turn slightly yellowish. Furthermore, there may also be color differences when coating mudguards and frameset at the same time due to the different materials (raw aluminum and ED-Black steel frame and fork). With matt final clear coatings, it is also possible that a small edge is visible on the decors.
These points are not foreseeable due to the large number of color combinations and do not constitute grounds for complaint.
The use of matt clear coats is not recommended for very light colors. Due to the “rough” surface, they quickly become dirty and are very difficult to clean.
How do you find the perfect color for your veloheld?
Choosing the right color for your new veloheld can be a really lengthy process. The color must suit you and you should be able to look at it with satisfaction even after a year or more. So how do you find the right color?
The RAL color fan
The RAL color fan is the first choice to see which colors are possible. Surely you already have a color preference and can therefore look within the color range in the fan to see exactly which color it should be.
But where can you get such a color fan? You may be able to borrow a color fan from the paint department of a DIY store. Perhaps a friend is a graphic artist or designer and has such a fan in stock. Of course you can also buy the RAL fan.
Can I also view the colors on the web? Yes, theoretically yes, but the RGB monitor cannot reproduce the color in the same way as a color fan can in real life.
The veloheld gallery
We regularly present individual customer bikes in the color of your choice in our gallery. Here you can browse and find inspiration for your desired color. You can also see whether your color has already been realized by us and how it looks on the tubes of the frame.
Let yourself be inspired!
Let your surroundings inspire you! Walk or drive carefully through your city! Which color always catches your eye? Have you recently visited an art exhibition and lingered in front of an exhibit or painting for a particularly long time? Are there other products with particularly interesting colors for you? Can you imagine these on a bicycle frame? Such or similar questions could be an approach to finding your ultimate color for your new veloheld bike.
The veloheld quality standard for surfaces
As the coating of the frames and parts is done by hand and not by machine, it must be taken into account that irregularities cannot be avoided in this manual process. We naturally endeavor to reduce these to a minimum. For this reason, we check every component for perfect quality after coating. The quality guidelines that apply to us are based on common industry standards for powder coatings and are summarized below.
1
Checking the correct color and gloss level for the color ordered
The frame and other parts are checked for the correct color using a RAL color sample card. It should be noted that color differences may occur, particularly in the case of repeat orders or in comparison to components coated by other coaters, due to the manufacturing process. There may also be slight differences in color compared to wet-painted components and components made of different materials (e.g. aluminum fork and steel frame).
Matt colors usually appear brighter compared to glossy coated frames and parts.
2
Testing for structural defects and inclusions
We observe the surface without optical aids at a right angle at a distance of approx. 70 cm in diffuse daylight for a period of 5 seconds per view.
A punctual light source increases the formation of shadows on the surface and therefore does not allow a reliable quality assessment.
We also differentiate here as to whether it is a directly visible area (e.g. top and sides of top tube, down tube, seat and chain stays, head tube, seat tube, fork, top of mudguards) or concealed areas (e.g. top and sides of top tube, down tube, seat tube, seat tube, fork, mudguards): Top and sides of top tube, down tube, seat and chain stays, head tube, seat tube, fork, tops of mudguards) or concealed, non-visible areas (e.g. undersides of the tubes, bottom bracket or under the dropouts, underside of mudguards, brake mounts).
As there are no clean room conditions in the coating system, the following qualities are permissible:
Non-visible areas
Point defects (craters, bubbles, inclusions) = max. 5 pcs. ≤ 0.8 mm² per component
Orange peel = structured approved
Nicht-Sicht-Bereiche
Punktfehler (Krater, Blasen, Einschlüsse) = max. 5 St. ≤ 0,8 mm² pro Bauteil
Orangenhaut = strukturiert zugelassen
The assessment of the areas to be examined must always be applied to the individual case, taking into account the aforementioned principles. As the tolerance limits for irregularities vary from case to case and depend on many factors, it is not possible to make general statements about the acceptance of irregularities. Each individual case must be examined individually.
Wet paint
If the quality standards for powder coating are not sufficient for you, your new veloheld frame and parts can also be coated using the wet paint process. Here it is possible to achieve a finer quality through a higher workload. Please note, however, that this will result in higher coating costs. We would be happy to advise you.
How can you maintain and preserve the coating?
We have summarized how to maintain and preserve your frame or your entire bike here.
If you notice a stone chip or scratch in the coating, we recommend quickly sealing any exposed metal with a touch-up pencil to prevent rust from corroding. We recommend the website www.lackstift24.de, where you can purchase your RAL color in various gloss levels. These colors match the original color relatively well and are also inexpensive to purchase.
New paint for your old frame?
Your veloheld frame is already getting on in years and has acquired a certain "patina" from all your adventures? This is no reason to dispose of it, as we give you the opportunity to give it a new coat of paint.</p><p>Please note that when recoating, all "old" colored parts (fork, mudguards etc.) should be recoated. Due to the possible effects of UV light and production-related color tolerances, there may otherwise be color differences between the individual parts.</p><p>Please contact us and we will advise you on all the options for the new coating and how you should send us the frame and other parts.
0351 212 952 95
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