Powder Coating

[Gary Lich]

I know that powder coating bikes frames is a common practice. Anyone have any experience with powder coating other parts like fenders, gas tank, etc... I am restoring an old Cushman Eagle that I inherited. Now that I finally got the engine rebuilt I am starting on the cosmetics. I talked with a local professional who restores bikes to get a reccommendation on painting. He told me horror stories about all the the paint shops in this area (he now sends all his stuff to some shop in South Dakota) Anyhow, he said if I was planning to have the bike be one solid color (which I am because that is how it was originally) I should consider powder coating it.

[nastyjones]

I don't agree. I powdercoated the frame of my dragbike, but painted the rest. Modern paint is really very durable. Find a good shop in your area & relax. Sounds to me llike this guy has some other agenda.

Paul

[Anonymous]

Powder coating is great. You get a very durable solid color finish. I even had my frame clear-coated over the base ultra gloss black. I love the job.
One problem though is I probably would have loved the many dollars I forked out. Poly paints nowadays look just as good and will cost a lot less. Go out to any General Aviation airport and look at all those aircraft painted with Emron.
My vote, Polyurethane. The wet look.

[Anonymous]

check out www.coatingspecialties.com

[Anonymous]

I recently had all the tinware on a BSA powder coated for a customer. It cost about a third as much as painting.
The finish is not quite as good, but is acceptable for a runner but not a show bike. Make sure your coater knows his stuff and uses the right powder and preparation techniques.
Even if you don't like the finish, you can go over it with a clear lacquer or paint, and the powder provides an excellent base for this.

[Robert Corrie]

Don't forget that the parts need to be cooked at about 400 degrees F. If might warp or melt , use paint.

[Gary Lich]

I recently had all the tinware on a BSA powder coated for a customer. It cost about a third as much as painting.
The finish is not quite as good, but is acceptable for a runner but not a show bike. Make sure your coater knows his stuff and uses the right powder and preparation techniques.
Even if you don't like the finish, you can go over it with a clear lacquer or paint, and the powder provides an excellent base for this.

I am not looking to make it a show bike... Just want to return it to a clean, functional condition using as many of the original parts as possible. It's nice to know that it can be painted over if necessary