View Poll Results: Proper powder coating or painting?
Powder coat
4
66.67%
Paint
2
33.33%
Voters: 6. You may not vote on this poll
Powder Coating or Painting my frame and fork?!
#1
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Powder Coating or Painting my frame and fork?!
Hi folks
So I am currently building up an old Raleigh frame. The previous owner wanted to paint the frame and fork black. Unfortunately, he did the worst job imaginable (did not even strip the frame) and the bike is now black with paint runs all over it . Despite the horrendous paint job, the frame is in great condition and that's the reason for my rebuild.
This leads me to my question: Should I have a proper powder coating job or a proper paint job done?
While we´re at it, could you guys tell me something about the pros and cons of both methods - would be greatly appreciated! (Perhaps anyone is from Graz - Austria and even knows a place for either job)
I look forward to your opinions and answers.
Thx a bunch in advance!
Felix
So I am currently building up an old Raleigh frame. The previous owner wanted to paint the frame and fork black. Unfortunately, he did the worst job imaginable (did not even strip the frame) and the bike is now black with paint runs all over it . Despite the horrendous paint job, the frame is in great condition and that's the reason for my rebuild.
This leads me to my question: Should I have a proper powder coating job or a proper paint job done?
While we´re at it, could you guys tell me something about the pros and cons of both methods - would be greatly appreciated! (Perhaps anyone is from Graz - Austria and even knows a place for either job)
I look forward to your opinions and answers.
Thx a bunch in advance!
Felix
#2
Senior Member
On the advice of my local shop, I had my 1968 Paramount frame powder coated. Great price and the finish is fantastic. They are used to doing bikes, so they know how to mask off the lugs and threads. I am glad I went that route.
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#3
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Howdy, Felix.
I have a little experience stripping and repainting and feel I should warn you it would be labor intensive and could be expensive.
But if you’re into it, I could point you in that direction.
Might be cheaper and easier to just have it powder coated, though.
I have a little experience stripping and repainting and feel I should warn you it would be labor intensive and could be expensive.
But if you’re into it, I could point you in that direction.
Might be cheaper and easier to just have it powder coated, though.
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#5
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Thanks man, appreciate it!
I probably wouldn't have done it myself anyways. But I´ll definitely try sometime in the future
I probably wouldn't have done it myself anyways. But I´ll definitely try sometime in the future
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Try to find out if there is a Cerakote applicator in your neck of the woods. Don’t know where it’s available outside the U.S.
https://www.cerakote.com/
https://www.cerakote.com/
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#7
Sr Member on Sr bikes
I had a steel frame and fork powder coated and am very happy with the outcome. In my area, the process cost about $150. As others have pointed out when similar questions about stripping and painting vs. powder coat are asked...to do a good job painting you’d have to invest in chemicals, primers, and equipment...like spray system, ventilation, respirator, etc. The only drawback to powder coating is that you can’t do multiple colors. Or at least it’s much more involved. But it’s only two-tone. You can’t do stripes...unless you have them painted on after the powder coating.
Dan
Dan
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#8
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I had a steel frame and fork powder coated and am very happy with the outcome. In my area, the process cost about $150. As others have pointed out when similar questions about stripping and painting vs. powder coat are asked...to do a good job painting you’d have to invest in chemicals, primers, and equipment...like spray system, ventilation, respirator, etc. The only drawback to powder coating is that you can’t do multiple colors. Or at least it’s much more involved. But it’s only two-tone. You can’t do stripes...unless you have them painted on after the powder coating.
Dan
Dan
DSCN1059 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
That, unfortunately is the price for any piece. I wanted a fork powder coated and it would have been $125 with sandblasting.
I added the pinstripes after painting. Those came from Twisted Chrome.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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#10
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I'd do either. If I had it painted, I'd make certain it's a good automotive quality paint. On the other hand, powder coating usually is fairly good to great results. With either, I'd have to ask more questions about durability and things like top coating with clear to help keep any decals on that I want to add after the paint job.
The biggest determining thing for me will be who can do it in the colors and scheme that I want. Then costs and time to do it will be the next consideration.
The biggest determining thing for me will be who can do it in the colors and scheme that I want. Then costs and time to do it will be the next consideration.
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#11
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Thanks for the advice man, appreciate it!
#12
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Powder coat - Generally reasonable price, durable, looks good
Rattle can yourself - Not as cheap as you think to do right, may or maynot look good based on prep or skill
DIY spray - Not too cheap, again prep, skill, and facilities variables
Pro spray - usually big $$$, excellent outcomes.
Largy the choice comes down to intended use and quality of the bike.
everyday rider,or commuter I'd use PC
High end garage queen classic and a wallet full of money - Pro spray
Going to be my beater tavern bike - rattle can
Rattle can yourself - Not as cheap as you think to do right, may or maynot look good based on prep or skill
DIY spray - Not too cheap, again prep, skill, and facilities variables
Pro spray - usually big $$$, excellent outcomes.
Largy the choice comes down to intended use and quality of the bike.
everyday rider,or commuter I'd use PC
High end garage queen classic and a wallet full of money - Pro spray
Going to be my beater tavern bike - rattle can
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#13
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Don't intend to hijack, but....
If the powder coat place doesn't have experience with bikes, what needs to be discussed regarding the blasting process? Do they normally blast all the old paint off? What about rust? Thanks!
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It is up to you and your usage of the bike, if it is a heavy usage bike probably powder coat but if you want something a little more stunning paint is the way to go. If you have a lugged frame, wet paint with lug lining is always a good look.
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#15
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I would love to have either one of my Cambodia bikes either powdercoated or ceracoated.
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I told him where to stop on the fork' steerer, to not coat into the seat tube or head tube, and to plug the bottle bosses and shift bosses.
Pretty straight forward.
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