Powdercoat - the poll

[LondonClassic]

Yes, just when you though a dim January Monday couldn't get any more exciting.

I've had bike frames powdercoated and also painted (most recently DIY painted). In a few years of normal use the powdercoat has chipped, peeled and come away in places like the dropouts or where the BB shell meets the cups, seatpost binder bolt. What started out looking pretty neat has now deteriorated to looking a bit shabby. Laquer is also worn / fallen off from some area including around decals where its no doubt found nothing to key into on the smooth powder surface.

It was a crappy PC job. The guy seems to have been an alloy wheel specialist and thrown by thin steel tubes. I think the baking temp was too low. He also quite unhelpfully didn't notice a bung had fallen from my rear mech thread - so that got coated too. Needed burning out and then re-tapping.

I know there are great powdercoaters out there and I should have done more homework - but I'm now of the opinion that as far as bicycles go its the devils work. Its hard to shift if you ever want to get rid (burn off, abrasives or slicing and peeling are the only options for a DIYer) and after all its just a tight fitting plastic sleeve over metal, not actually connected to metal. Acid primer and paint all day long and if I don't like it then paint stripper will take it off.

Powder fine for park benches, gates and the alloy wheels of a 2007 Vauxhall Nova. Maybe fine for some plain guage cheap utility bike. Otherwise, paint all the way.

Whats your take on this?

 

[The History Man]

Both. Paint for keeps and powder coat for price.

Which is which?

 

[Glug]

I haven't tried powdercoat, but I get decent results using (very) old fashioned paint.
It has the huge advantage that I've got paint left over and I know exactly what mix I used so if it needs touch ups that's not an issue.

Could you do this with powdercoat ?

 

[winjohn]

Both. Paint for keeps and powder coat for price.

Which is which?

I

I would have to guess yellow is powder coat.

 

[LondonClassic]

Which is which?

They both look like (good) powdercoat.

 

[bagpuss]

All depends on the quality of a frame and how deep your pockets are.
I have used powder coating many times. Always been happy with the results.
Hard wearing .As with any finsh preparation is the key.
One of mine with a powder coating finish.

https://flic.kr/p/J18D7T

 

[bikeworkshop]

You powdercoat a dumper truck
You paint a masterpiece

Simple.

 

[CTK]

3rd category:- keep the original paint!

 

[Canuk]

There's a French guy in Nantes (44) who is getting rave reviews for his powder coat finishes, and at around 120 quid (equivalent) including blasting, prep, coating and decals/top coat it's a pretty good deal. I'll try posting some of the finished examples.

 

[d8mok]

I’d challenge anyone to tell whether it’s paint or powder on several of my bikes / parts.

Powder has come a long way. But you need the better quality stuff and someone who knows what they are doing.