Frame powder coating experience?

[RyanW]

Hello,

Whilst removing a saddle post (with caustic soda: see my other thread) some of the paint has started to become damaged. Initially I was just going to go for the worn look however it has now become apparent that I will need a respray.

To cut this short, how much did you pay for a powder coat (Did you also get it sand blasted) what was it like quality wise, and would you recommend it over say, spraying it yourself. Or not bothering?

Ryan

 

[Drago]

50 quid even each time, glass bead blasted included. a fine quality finish, much tougher than any pro or diy paint. Just about to get my third frame done.

For what it costs ill never faff around painting a frame myself again.

 

[biggs682]

50 quid even each time, glass bead blasted included. a fine quality finish, much tougher than any pro or diy paint. Just about to get my third frame done.

For what it costs ill never faff around painting a frame myself again.

@Drago who do you use ?

 

[Drago]

Midland Finishing(?) up the back of Spencer in Northampton. Only ever had plain colours but always been extremely happy. 01604 755255.

 

[Specialeyes]

Armourtex Cycles in Hackney powder coated my Brompton in BRG and did a superb job.

Interestingly, they used to simply be a commercial powder coaters and finishers, but they got so many requests to refinish bikes that they spotted a niche and opened up a cycle shop on the premises, and now offer a full LBS service, which itself is really good too!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

My experience of powder coating is slightly more negative and I'd like to hear how the satisfied customers coped with the problems it presents. I find it has problems wherever it has to be masked, such as at the line between fork and steerer, BB shell and the start of the threads, the edge of the seat tube etc. Also, any threaded area such as water bottle and carrier bosses.

Powder coating is a bit thicker than spray paint and I think a bit tougher. Thus, when you mask an area, unwrapping the masking leaves an ugly, uneven ridge. If you leave a screw in the boss to ensure that the threads don't get fouled, removing it breaks away chunks of paint. The BB edge just never seems good either. The latter can be fixed by facing the BB if you are using an external BB but for internal you don't want to face it and want paint to go right up to the first thread.

Although it may not be a problem in this country, but I find that powder coat is simply not UV resistant and quickly goes powdery.

Then there is of course the issue of design. Powder coating leaves you with no options, you get plain or plain.

 

[Drago]

No such problems here. The place I use specialises in parts for classic cars so they're used to working to a high standard.

You can get metallic, fade, all sorts of powder coat effects, though that starts to get mighty pricy.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

I've had two frames done, paid £35 each time. (About five years ago now so perhaps 50 would now be closer) included the blasting to get rid of the old stuff. Used a local powderer. He was very meticulous in putting silicone bungs in threaded parts so I didn't have any problem as mentioned above. The finish is very tough, not shiny glossy like a paint but glossy enough to look good.
Best part was choosing the colours, there was a chart, like a paint chart for emulsions, the choice was immense.

 

[gbb]

I had my winter commuter done as a favour so dont know how much it cost but it is immensly strong. 4 or 5 winters, it had everything thrown at it and wasn't spared anything from the weather...its never deteriorated at all.
Mine was a more industrial finish, I wasnt looking for perfection and didnt get it, bosses, certain bits of chrome bearings I couldnt get off were masked...and it shows under close inspection, but thats ok, its a workhorse.
I suspect there may be a difference in quality of finish if you go to an industrial powdercoater compared to a specialist ...but thats all reflected in the price anyway.

 

[Andy_R]

My local chappie (Stella Blast) specialises in antique/vintage motorbike frames and swing arms, so a bicycle frame is a doddle for him. He masks off bolt holes with plastic screws which don't attract the powder, and uses silicone bungs in the bottom bracket. £40 a pop including media blasting, and a very wide choice of colours and effects. Just bought a small GT Arrowhead frame from recyke y bike in Newcastle for £20, had it blasted and coated in metalic anthracite, and myself and small boy are going to build it up for him to use as an old school school bike.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

My local chappie (Stella Blast) specialises in antique/vintage motorbike frames and swing arms, so a bicycle frame is a doddle for him. He masks off bolt holes with plastic screws which don't attract the powder, and uses silicone bungs in the bottom bracket. £40 a pop including media blasting, and a very wide choice of colours and effects. Just bought a small GT Arrowhead frame from recyke y bike in Newcastle for £20, had it blasted and coated in metalic anthracite, and myself and small boy are going to build it up for him to use as an old school school bike.

Aha! Plastic screws and silicone. That would solve the problem of the transition between metal and space.

 

[broadway]

I've had two frames done, paid £35 each time. (About five years ago now so perhaps 50 would now be closer) included the blasting to get rid of the old stuff. Used a local powderer. He was very meticulous in putting silicone bungs in threaded parts so I didn't have any problem as mentioned above. The finish is very tough, not shiny glossy like a paint but glossy enough to look good.
Best part was choosing the colours, there was a chart, like a paint chart for emulsions, the choice was immense.

Who was this?

 

[roadrash]

I had this bead blasted and powder coated at stockport powder coaters for about £45 i think , i was happy with the result



https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/restoration-twenty.148038/

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Who was this?

It was Greenspeed powder coaters in Macclesfield. I just looked in the yellow pages and took pot luck. When I visited he knew about covering things and I guess I dropped lucky. From memory it would be even cheaper if you wanted black or silver as he would just do your frame at the same time as a set of car wheels or whatever.