Spray or powder coat

[Dmnic3]

Currently starting out on a build for weekend riding. The frame needs a bit of work and am thinking or re-spraying or powder coating. What would be the best option?

 

[Midlife]

Depends on the frame really........I've seen quite a few frames powder coated which have looked nice. Far better than the gloopy, very thick, frame lug hiding powder coating of old.

Cheaper too.

what frame is it?

Shaun

 

[1duck]

If you can afford it and think the bike is worth it, definitely powder coat it.

 

[Dmnic3]

It's only an old Raleigh milk race so nothing special. I know someone who can get it powder coated for £35 so might go for that.

 

[1duck]

It's only an old Raleigh milk race so nothing special. I know someone who can get it powder coated for £35 so might go for that.

May as well, spray paint costs about a fiver a can...plus undercoat...plus all the prep work. At 35 quid its the obvious choice.

 

[Ross 1964]

Two pack polyurethane spray paint is higher and longer lasting gloss. If done well it's a superb finish. If not done in properly filtered spraybooth it can be a bit gritty up close (like mine).

Powder coat is thicker and more hardwearing but lower gloss. Easier for the appplicator to get an acceptable and consistent quality.

I had 20 years in the paint industry, just my thoughts. Go with powder for a no-nonsense hardwearing finish where cosmetics are less critical than durability.

 

[David B]

Two pack polyurethane spray paint is higher and longer lasting gloss. If done well it's a superb finish. If not done in properly filtered spraybooth it can be a bit gritty up close (like mine).

Powder coat is thicker and more hardwearing but lower gloss. Easier for the appplicator to get an acceptable and consistent quality.

I had 20 years in the paint industry, just my thoughts. Go with powder for a no-nonsense hardwearing finish where cosmetics are less critical than durability.

My local powder coater tends to finish the job off with a top coat of glossy lacquer; they've now done 3 of my frames and the end results are great value for money (all things considered I'd reckon on the cost being about 1/4 that of a traditional stove enamelling job).

David

 

[Ross 1964]

Hi David, it sounds like your applicator gives the best of both worlds, I learn something new every day! As long as he can keep the film thickness down (which good powder coaters can do) it sounds like a great solution.

 

[David B]

Hi David, it sounds like your applicator gives the best of both worlds, I learn something new every day! As long as he can keep the film thickness down (which good powder coaters can do) it sounds like a great solution.

The only downside is that they don't do decals, so I have to sort those myself afterwards, giving the relevant areas a 'key' with very fine emery paper, applying the transfers and then making good the slight damage done to the lacquer; Plasti-Kote spray varnish seems pretty good for this.

David