I've also seen powder coat flake right off. It's usually been a mass produced car part though. With any kind of coating, prep is the most important part. Powder coating is very tough but I've seen or done some very durable paint finishes that didn't chip easy or at all. I'd go with powder coating for a bike frame.

I would have to support the powder coating side as well. I have had two Quads done recently and I am very happy with them. Both have been clear coated and are very shiny and look killer. Look at the post of "My daughters Quad finished" post under BMXtalk page 2. That is one that I had done in pink. I think as with anything with importance like your frame a quality painter is the key whether it is powder or not. Spend the money to have it done right. It will be worth it in the long run. PS you have mail.

I have a DB frame and Forks that are in bad shape..ie the chrome is flaking big time and has lots of rust. The Question:
How do I go about preparing the F+F for powder coating or Spray, and which would ppl recommend for such a bad condition F+F?

thanks
Rob

Rob
Where I take my frames to it doesnt matter what state the frames in. I have taken many a shagged one only to get back a shinny new looking one. Most powdercoaters near me blast the frame before coating so it really doesnt matter what state its in
Andy
P.S Shop around as I was first quoted 50 nelsons for the job but the guy I take all my stuff to charges £12 f&F

Blimey! 12 squid all in?
That is well cheap!
Any chance I can send it to you to get done?
Thanks for the advice Andy.
Rob

Bill

A cheap job is not always bad
I had my TA done and when I was bringing it into my house I accidently wacked it into a brick wall.
No damage was done. Ive had about 10 frames done by the same guy. All have been spot on. I dont know why he is cheaper than others maybe he makes enough money doing other things as powdercoating is not his main line of work.
Over here in the uk sometimes people just do you a good deal
Andy

Bill
How much do you pay to have all that done on a frame?
I doubt my little guy does all that but what he does do is sufficent.

i can get any colour as long as its black or white (sometimes he doesnt even get them colours right )on my f+f's for a tenner, stands up to some hard abuse aswell. i agree with bill about the prep work aswell, sometimes we do our own painting, prep work is the key
graeme

If you want to have your ff powdercoated, try Champion Powdercoating, in Santa Ana, CA.

I've had a ton of car parts done by them over the years, they are great and their prices are reasonable. Their work is as tough as nails!

They used to do the powdercoating for GT and other bike companies. I remember seeing rows of new frames there while I was picking up parts.

(P.S. I think they charge around $40 to do a frame).

ive had a few parts powder coated here in england and like my brothers say you get a lot of work done for not much money
i am very happy with the results and would go nowhere else
i know have a goose frame and forks to do ...he can do candys
i was so happy once with a pair of race inc bars i got done gloss black that i wanted to kiss him
and he is fat with a beard.....i hate beards

Powdercoating is nice but if you paint all you have to do is bake the paint on to harden it.

I painted a pair of valve covers for my 72 Skylark with red enamel automotive paint and baked them in the oven at 400f for 30 minutes. They're just starting to show signs of deterioration from the elements and oil. That was 15 years ago.

Paint the frame whatever you want and hang it from a rafter in the garage, place a pair of heat lamps facing it from either side, and bake it good.

-Phil

I suppose you would have to decide what you are going to do with the bike. Ride it or show it. If its a ride then powder would probably be better but if it's for show then I am all for auto paint. I don't think you can get the same quality from powder against auto paint and after a bodgy powder job I had done for a show piece, I will only use auto paint now.

Thats what I like about this page.... A guy can ask a question, and get SERIOUS results from it... awesome... thanks for your help guys....Powdercoating it is...Updates comming soon....

Rick

For a bike you are going to ride, you are making the right decision. Pcoating is far more durable than even the best auto paints.

Auto restoration (and other auto related things) have been a serious hobby of mine for 20 years now (since I quit BMX!). I've painted a couple complete cars, and done lots of other restoration projects involving powdercoating, replating metals, and auto paint. Some kinda nutty things!

Here's a pic of my painted/powdercoated/cadmium plated engine compartment on my 25 year old car:

[img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=682761[/img]

Good looking 3.0!! Here is the one for my 914-6, I'll have pictures of the engine for the cab next month as is going into the shop next week. Since I hang out a tune in this shop, does that count??
http://www.slackersunion.org/gallery/incom...ia/Mvc-003f.jpg

Your the second "car guy" that I've met on this site that I've also seen or met elsewhere.

I've seen your engine pic on the Pelican site, right? Are you selling some heat exchangers?

Yes, that is me!! I have other parts at the powder coater for this engine. The 83 cab's 3.0 is going to Broadfoof Racing next week to get "massaged" and everything that can be coated will be!

Bill is right about the prep work making the difference. I have had some new frames that were powdercoated that lasted about as long a paint job out of a can of krylon. A good powder job you will pay for and you will get a quality job. You can get a automotive job that looks as good but it will not hold up as well if you ride it. The prep work is the key to any job especially chrome because it is so thin and will not hide the imperfections.

Does the finish on a powdercoated frame come out smooth and glossy or does it come out rigid? I have an 87 Dyno Pro Compe that I am restoring. I paid $100 for NOS decals and I want to get it done in white. Now, I plan on riding it, but very minimal, how can you resist? Powdercoating will cost me $75 minimum here in Toronto. I don't want to spend that kind of $$ and have the bike come back to me with an egg-shell finish. I want it nice, smooth, and shiny, just like the day it came out of the box. I will never sell this bike, I will own it till the day I die, and I just don't want to invest all this money into this bike and have an ugly finish on it, cause once these decals are on it, the chances of me finding another sticker pack for it are pretty slim, actually, the chance of me spending another $100 on a sticker pack is even slimmer. I know there are 3 pages of comments and opinions on this topic, but I am still not clear on the overall finish and I need someone to put my mind at ease. Thank you for any input, it would be much appreciated.
Jeff

I just got my KZ back last week. Had it powdered gloss white. It is shiney like paint but alot nicer.Nice and Smooooth.
OH YA!

Keep it real brothers

Thanks alot, powdercoat it is then, can't wait till its done. Thanks Bill.

If you want to see some of what can be done with powder, check the for sale section for my custom coated Robinson.

The place I'm bringing my frames to get powdercoated said I have to bring in my stuff bare metal cause they won't strip it for me. They also said I have to make sure the metal is super clean with no residue. Can anyone suggest what I should apply to the bare metal after I strip it all down to make sure it is clean and ready to go? Thank you.
Jeff

Jeff, acetone will take all greases and oils from your bare frame. What are they charging you to do the job?

I believe it is $75 for the job. Acetone, is that something you buy at Home Depot or automotive store?

I would go to a different powdercoater.

First, that price is high. Second, making you responsible for the prep job is STUPID. The prep is the most important part. If your powdercoating starts to fall off in huge chunks, guess who they are gonna blame?

Find a place that takes full responsibility for their work, from start to finish. For $75, you can get the job done by just about any powdercoater in the country. That is a high price.

Hello McFly!! Do we not have a SPONSOR here?!! They will do all the work for an excellent price and you will get an excellent job!! Support those that support us!!

I live in Canada though.