leob1

I've never been really happy with the silver\grey color(or lack of) on my Trek 7.5 FX. I'm thinking of having it powder coated a nicer more vibrant color. About what can I expect to pay to have this done?
And considering that I strip the paint, what would be the best stripper to use on aluminium?

sdmc530

Around here a frame and fork will run you about $100-$125. this price is with paint removed and such. I would think this is probably comparable to most places?

Lemond1985

Most powder coaters include blasting the frame in their price, so you won't be saving any money by stripping it yourself. Also, the media blasted metal has a rough finish that accepts the powder coating beads better than a smooth frame.

But stripping a bike frame can be fun, just wear gloves and eye protection, and watch out for chemical burns (you'll probably get a few no matter how careful you are). You will need a wire brush for nooks and crannies, of which there are plenty of on a bike frame. I would just use whatever paint stripper you can find locally at WalMart, an auto parts store, or wherever. Brands seem to vary by region.

HillRider

If you decide to strip it yourself do NOT use any lye (Sodium Hydroxide, aka Caustic Soda) based stripper as it will damage the aluminum. You will probably do better to have the powder coater do the preparation but make them aware that they must not sand blast the frame but use a milder blast abrasive.

fietsbob

Inside deal .. a friend owns the local powder coating biz, for small projects,
I just leave the part there , without needing it done soon..

and wait .. someone else wants the same color (I'm usually going for gloss black)
and My pieces get done then..

Most expensive part, He says, is paying the power company for the electricity ...
to heat the oven to melt the powder.. once it's applied.

so my piece goes in when someone wants their motorcycle frame, car wheels, etc. , done..
so my cost = 0

pieces must be untouched after cleaning to bare metal..
by 'media' blasting , or finish will not come our smoothly, skin oils are a contaminant..

so your labor intensive stripping will just be completely done over anyhow..

this front tack was the most recent part coated




...

TimothyH

A complex two step process will cost $125 max. A single color should be closer to $75 depending on where you live.

Do not strip it yourself. The powder coater will do this for you.

Just take all the parts off the frame and drop it off. They will do everything.

Look for a shop which does custom car parts. I wouldn't go to an industrial job lot shop which will batch my bike with 300 washing machine lids or a truckload of lawn chairs. A shop which services the local auto and motorcycle enthusiast community is what we are after.

The Trek FX comes with carbon fork. Carbon cannot be coated. Only metal can be powder coated.


-Tim-

AnkleWork

I routinely pay about $20 for single color including media blasting, in Mexico.

dsaul

The powder coater that I use charges between $100 and $140 depending on how many coats are needed(translucent colors need a base color). Most of the time, I am dropping off new uncoated frames and he blasts them before coating. He has recoated a few frames for me and he stripped them at no extra charge.

JohnDThompson 

It's been a few years but I paid $75 for a simple gloss back powder coat on this bike:



And $125 for this dark blue powder coat with polychromatic flakes in a clear layer:

leob1

Thanks for the responses, looks like I can get this done and not have to lie to my wife about the cost.
Tim, the first year or two of the FX 7.5 had an AL fork. A carbon stem and bars made the ride much better.

TimothyH

Don't lie to your wife about anything, ever.

Not worth it and she sees right through you.


-Tim-

sdmc530

such excellent advice!

TimothyH

@JohnDThompson, that purple flake is nice. I like things that are different.

I had a frame done in "Illusion Blue Berg" from Prismatic Powders. It is a two step process, blue and then clear.

curbtender

Never had it done, but I was wondering how they deal with the threaded parts of the frame.

le mans

Same 'ere, Curb, also the top of the seat tube and the headtube inside, don't really want overspray build up there

Around here it's $120 aussie dollars {85.23 USD**
Blast, zinc and p/c

dsaul

My powder coater has a bunch of different sized high temp silicone plugs to fill any holes.

TimothyH

Mine also used tape to mask off bottom bracket shell face, headset face and other areas I pointed out such as the derailleur hanger.

There was a little overspray in one of the cable bosses but I cleaned that out with a rolled up piece of sandpaper.


-Tim-

curbtender

Thanks, so you need to instruct PC on these issues when getting it done? I'm guessing you should find a company that's been doing bikes for a while.

TimothyH

If they are unfamiliar with bicycles, yes, some instruction is in order.

This is why I recommend going to a shop which does custom auto and motorcycle work. They are familiar with the concept of not coating bearing seats, plugging threaded holes, etc.

A job lot shop coating large batches of lawn furniture or industrial shelving is not going to understand as much.

My guy had done a few bikes and was wiling to listen to my specific instructions re not coating the derailleur hanger area and need to keep the bottom bracket faces clean. It only took a minute to have the conversation and it came out near perfect. A bit of overspray is inevitable but easily cleaned up with a touch of sandpaper.

If you see custom cars and motorcycles in the parking lot and the guy who greets you has lots of skull tattoos then you know you are in the right place.


-Tim-

ramzilla

My shop in Tucker Georgia charged me $125 for frame & fork. One layer. Primary color. Either red, white yellow, etc. Special colors were extra. Make sure to provide some little 5mm threaded bolts for all the water bottle holes & rack eyelets. Try to get the cups & cones off the headset or, be prepared to clean the coating off after finished.

TimothyH

$125 for one color and limited choices is expensive.

Custom Coaters Atlanta in Marietta charged $125 for a two step "Illusion" process, clear over blue metal flake.

Custom Coaters Atlanta


-Tim-