Paint it your way: the art of custom bikes

Let’s be honest, off-the-shelf is boring. If you’re riding the same paint job as the person next to you at the cafe, are you really living? For some of us, cycling isn’t just about winning bike races, KOMs and carbon layups – it’s about winning bike style and a form of self-expression. And nothing says unique like a custom-painted bike that turns heads before you even clip in.

Enter Steve Munyard from Sun Graphics, the man with the magic hands and the eye of a true artist. Steve isn’t just a painter – he’s a storyteller with an airbrush. He’s brought five of my dream bikes to life, and let me tell you, each one has been a rolling masterpiece. Never dull and always a head turner, Steve makes it personal. He turns your ideas – no matter how mad they sound – into rideable art.

Why custom? Because your bike should be as individual as your fingerprint. A custom-painted bike is a statement. It says you’re not afraid to be different, to take risks, and to ride something that truly reflects who you are. It’s about turning heads, starting conversations, and most importantly, making the bike feel like yours.

You spend hours on the saddle, pay big bucks for your dream machine, and you obsess over performance, fit, and components – why not obsess over how it looks, too? A custom paint job adds personality, emotion, and pride. It’s more than aesthetics—it’s about owning your identity as a rider. Whether it’s bold and brash or sleek and understated, the colour scheme becomes part of your cycling DNA.

It also creates a connection to your bike that no factory model can match. When you’ve had a hand in the design, when your vision is layered into the paintwork, the bond is personal. And when people stop you mid-ride to say, “Mate, that is stunning”- you know it was worth it.

Big brands like Pinarello (with their MyWay program) or Trek (through Project One) offer custom options, but there are always boundaries. Limited colours, restricted patterns, a few logos shuffled around. It’s custom with an asterisk. With Steve, the only limit is your imagination.

Want a tribute to your dog? No worries. Inspired by an 80s synthwave album cover? Done. Matching your kit, car, or team kit? He’s your man.

Steve gets it. He listens. And most importantly, he delivers.

The process

Don’t let his grumpy demeanour fool you. Steve is part of a small but passionate scene of custom bike painters across Australia. Others include Velocraft in Victoria and Paint My Bike up in Queensland, who handle everything from wild race builds to sleek repaints. But what sets Steve apart is his accessibility, his imagination, and that uncanny ability to make each frame feel like it was built just for you—and it was.

Working with Steve is like collaborating with a mate who just happens to be a genius. It starts with a chat. A few reference images, maybe a laugh or two, and then the magic begins. He strips the frame, preps it with surgeon-like precision, lays down layers of colour and detail, and finishes it off with a gloss so deep you could dive into it. Each bike takes time, care, and a ridiculous level of skill.

He works out of Melbourne, and his reputation has travelled far beyond the state. Riders all over the country ship their frames to him because they know the end result will be world-class. Every job gets the same care and attention, whether you’re an Australian National Champion or a weekend warrior like me.

If I could, I’d hang every one of my previous custom bikes on the wall like art pieces—they’re that good. Each one tells a story, captures a moment, and screams individuality. So if you’re ready to stand out, tell your story, and ride something that actually means something to you, then do yourself a favour—get a custom paint job. Life’s too short to ride a boring bike.

Interview with Steve Munyard

Lee Turner: How long have you been doing this, and how did you get into it?

I’ve been painting bikes full-time for around 18 years. As a kid, I was obsessed with sketching and painting and never stopped. I spent 25 years in the sign industry creating all kinds of signage, but as I rode and raced bikes as long as I can remember, I spent a lot of my spare time painting bikes for mates until it got too much. Gave away the sign game, and I’ve been painting bikes ever since.

Lee Turner: Has there ever been a job you couldn’t do, or that was more challenging than you expected?

I can’t recall not being able to produce a request, but one of the most challenging was recreating a multi-coloured, textured pattern to match a team jersey for Australian Champ, Peta Mullens. I used a variety of airbrushing techniques on this job, and the result was very satisfying.

Lee Turner: What’s the quickest you’ve ever turned around a custom bike?

I had 48 hours to paint two Australian Champs bikes for Luke Plapp and Ruby Roseman-Gannon. Pretty sure the bikes were still drying as they raced the TDU.

Lee Turner: What’s the strangest or most out-there request you’ve ever received?

Having to paint a bike as if it was made of wood was one of the more unusual.

Lee Turner: Is there a style or theme you personally love painting the most?

Reproducing old retro paint schemes on modern frames is cool. Freehand air brushing, making a frame look like a piece of art. For instance, the Punk-themed Brompton I recently did, probably one of my favourites.

Lee Turner: What’s one thing people misunderstand about the process of custom painting a bike?

Probably the number of hours involved in prepping a bike, even before you start painting.

Lee Turner: How do you balance a customer’s vision with your own creative instincts?

Most of the time, just talking through the customer’s ideas, then suggesting what will actually work visually on a bike frame while still giving the customer their own personal touch.

Lee Turner: Do you have a dream paint job or concept you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance yet?

Not really. In all the years of painting, I’ve managed to create most schemes I can think of. Sometimes, if I have an idea, I’ll try it on one of my bikes.

Lee Turner: What’s your biggest pet peeve when working on a frame?

Sanding back a frame takes a few hours. Just put on some tunes and get it done.

Lee Turner: Are there any colours or effects that are trending right now in the custom scene?

Hydro dipping, everyone’s jumped on that bandwagon. Fades made a comeback, and lately everyone wants pearl white bikes!

Lee Turner: If you could paint a bike for any pro rider—dead or alive—who would it be and what would you do?

Wiggo, full Union Jack scheme over the whole bike, he’s a legend.