Parlee Z4 stripped paint for trainer

[Dman]

Some back story:
• I’ve previously owned a Parlee Z5 so I’m partial to them as I know the quality and finish
• As a long time WW member I’ve always wanted to strip the paint off a frameset back to bare carbon
• I’ve been using a steel Cyfac on my Tacx trainer which is just not a great idea as it’s literally rusting away beneath me
= find a cheap carbon frameset and build a project trainer bike

Don’t really need brakes or a rear wheel but I put something on just in case I want to take it out in winter

I looked for ages for preferably mechanical, threaded BB and carbon. Ie. an older Colnago or Cervelo R-series as I was hoping for something a little lighter but people want way too much $$$ for 10 year old bikes, but stumbled across a Parlee Z4 in very average condition for AUD$500 (USD$370)

It looked great but seller said paint had chips. I didn’t care and the project started...

Before




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[Dman]

The frame ended up being worse than I expected with spider cracks all over it and in places I’d have preferred not to see them - BB and head tube.

But this at least committed me to remove the paint just to check it wasn’t cracked....





I got a blade and the paint flaked off fairly easily




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[Dman]

Thanks to WW I knew that a blade and sandpaper would be required but there are a few threads detailing Carbolift which seems to have disappeared so I went with Dumond Smart Strip

http://m.dumondchemicals.com/home-peel- ... strip.html

Using what I learnt here I knew to lather it on and wrap in Gladwrap to keep it moist




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[Dman]

I toyed with the idea of leaving the logos intact but in the end I found decals in a similar blue from the UK and decided to keep reducing the weight instead.

I forgot to take photos of the weight before but it was approx 960g which isn’t bad for a M/L with a yellow primer and thick blue paint.

Leaving for just 24 hours in mild temperatures the paint literally falls off..




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[Dman]

But even with the blue paint off it seemed like the frame was glossy still so I got the blades out and immediately see clear flakes everywhere




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[Dman]

So.... using the Smart Strip on frame and fork was probably 2 hours all in however using the blade/wet sandpaper and aiming for nothing but bare carbon would later add another 8+ hours easily. Being a little OCD I didn’t want to leave any clear coat if I could avoid it and the carbon underneath looked so good.

Occasionally I’d hit black flakes or a very dark black on the sandpaper but realised Parlee paint the frame around the BB, etc to cover up the joins. The BB/downturn joins where they’ve glued the tubes together is a little messy but overall not worth hiding. The seats stays and lugs look so awesome. Headtube is monocoque but had thick clearcoat to smooth it out. The top tube and down tube were especially thick compared to rear stays and seat stays.

I didn’t take loads of photos during this part but kept going until I hit carbon (more of a graphite colour I later found).




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[Dman]

Once done I toiled with what to coat it with. I still haven’t figured that part out but thinking I’ll try a ceramic coating designed for cars and just see what’s its like. I did put some car care polish/protection on which looks ok for now.

Frame ended up at 860g and fork 330g

Then it was just a case of selecting parts. I either had it or bought lightly used parts to keep the cost low and ended up with:

Frame: Parlee Z4 M/L
Fork: Edge (I believe)
Expander plug/cap: ENVE
Shifters: Shimano Ultegra R8000
Cranks: Shimano Ultegra R8000 172.5mm 52/36
Bottom bracket: threaded Shimano Ultegra BBR60
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra R8000 braze-on
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra R8000 medium cage
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 11-30
Chain: Shimano Ultegra
Brakes: Shimano 105
Cables: Shimano Ultegra
Derailleur clamp: Bevato carbon clamp 34.9mm
Wheels: Mavic Aksium
Handlebar: ITM 101 carbon 40cm
Stem: Syntace 109 -17 110mm
Seatpost: KCNC Ti-pro 8000
Seatpost clamp: Mt Zoom
Saddle: Pro Stealth Carbon 142mm
Bartape: Burgh Hieroglyph
Tyres/tubes: Mavic
Pedals: Speedplay Stainless
Cage: Arundel Mandible

= 7.26kg with Aksium
= 6.98kg w/ZIPP 303 NSW/Vittoria Corsa




And now it’s destined to a lifetime on my Tacx Neo



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[LouisN]

Shame !!

We need more of these classic beauties outside on the road.
NIce work BTW
Louis

[LewisK]

Looks good, sanding back to bare carbon is very rewarding. Applying a clearcoat wouldn't be a bad idea, especially if it's a turbo bike where sweat will be an issue!

[Robt57]

I have a Look 585 stripped to bare carbon. I occasionally give it a cleaning and once dry give it a good coating of '303 UV Protectant Spray' to afford it some sun block... Gives it a nice sheen too. It is a stealthy looking sexy beast. And I am not a black bike guy. But the 585 top carbon layer is old school weave at its best.

Luckily, I got it professionally stripped and boxed waiting a paint decision that never happened.

How I got is out of the box:


Built after a few rides post 303 schmutzing...

[kode54]

Looks great! Almost too good to sit on a trainer. Great job and documentation.

[Dman]

Shame !!

We need more of these classic beauties outside on the road.
NIce work BTW
Louis

I’ll take it out on the road I’m sure!




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[Dman]

I have a Look 585 stripped to bare carbon. I occasionally give it a cleaning and once dry give it a good coating of '303 UV Protectant Spray' to afford it some sun block... Gives it a nice sheen too. It is a stealthy looking sexy beast. And I am not a black bike guy. But the 585 top carbon layer is old school weave at its best.

Looking good. 303 would be worth a look



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[Robt57]

You could saran wrap the sweat drop zones while on the trainer. Just renew in case saline gets in there....

And/or get one of these:

[gravity]

Wow im surprised it can take 303 NSW. I have the same frame which i fit zonda c15 + gp5000 28c. I think it has 2mm (each side) left of clearance around the chainstays.


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