Powder Coat?

[Redboots]

OK, which is best and why?

Powder coat or paint. That is for the frame/subframe/main stand and various other bits.

I was always told that paint was better 'cos its easier to repair chips in it. I don't see to many chips but lots of rubbing points that have allowed the gout to set in.

Cheers,
John

 

[iftikartaxis]

powder coat

powder coating is as hard as the devils forhead
if my gsa had been powder coated my fork legs shouldn't need attention
so in opinion powder coating or plastic coating every time
for the frame hubs suspension bits

"Praise the lord and pass the Ammunition"

 

[alimey4u2]

Powder coat for durability, stoved & vitreous enamel for top quality finish...

 

[Redboots]

Thanks guys...

Now, the nearest powder coater I have found is 253 kms away and the nearest low-bake painter, only 5km, but he does not have bead blasting facilities.

I ain't doing it by hand!

John

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Now to piss on the chips a bit... I had some wheels for my vintage Austin blasted and powder coated some years ago. I have noticed however that the coating has started to crack as water has got underneath. The trouble is that there is no prior warning and no sign of rust until it bursts out. This does not seem to happen with stove enameling. Most vintage restorers will always go for enameling but powder coating is mostly cheaper and easier to get done.
I have had rear subframe, pannier rails and rocker covers powder coated as they would be easy to get off and do again but the likes of a frame I would get painted.
Trouble with powder coating is that there is no undercoat to key into the metal...... Just my opinion

 

[BillN]

I would always go for as near to the original as possible

I have had stuff powder coated in the past and it has never really looked "right"

 

[Rob Farmer]

Some powder coaters will phosphate the frame before coating. This prevents the rust veins forming under the coating. Worth asking before you use a company.

I've always found gloss frames look wrong. The guys I use in Leicester do an excellent satin finish that looks very similar to the original BMW finish.

 

[Deleted Member MS]

Yes, Satin is best. Ive had 3 boxer frames done. 1 gloss (to try it) and 2 in satin. Gloss looks poo !

 

[bowser]

For my two penney worth, Anything ali its worth looking at anodizing, either coloured or hard anodized. The Grey colour you get with hard anodizing is nice and the finish lasts for ever.

If your coating something which don't take much wear then powder coat, but if it is something where you may get wear or rubbing or scrapes etc then go with paint as trying to touch up powder is a pain in the arse, and getting it all off to re do a part is costly and again a pain in the butt.

I always paint crash bars now as I can give them a tart up no problem if they get a bang, the powder coated items were a nightmare, although not dropping the bike might have been a better option ;-)

If your doing it yourself and want a good durable finish, hammerite smooth is great if you follow the instructions properly, got a set of shocks I did nearly 5 years ago and they still look good.

 

[MattW]

For my two penney worth, Anything ali its worth looking at anodizing, either coloured or hard anodized. The Grey colour you get with hard anodizing is nice and the finish lasts for ever.

Interesting thread.
So would say a hard anodised 1100 front wishbone or fork brace stand up to pitting and general degradation better than the standard finish (which I assume is powder coat?).

cheers
Matt

 

[bowser]

Interesting thread.
So would say a hard anodised 1100 front wishbone or fork brace stand up to pitting and general degradation better than the standard finish (which I assume is powder coat?).

cheers
Matt

dont know is it ali or steel, anodizing is an acid dipping process where the ali is dipped in an acid bath and the surface is changed into a different form of aluminium, it not possible with steel. Now I wont admit to knowing the chemical difference between Hard anodising and and the more normal form where dye is added to give different colours, other than the fact that afaik the grey colour is what always comes out from the hard anodising. Annodizing can be worn away, but it does take some time and effort, I have to say for aluminium it is way the best finish, but it has to be STEEL FREE, no inserts etc.

From what I have seen on the parts on my 1100, most are powder coated.