Powder Coating

Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 2008-04-01 09:58.

Fix Bikes

I have read the threads about advising people to have their frames powder coated. What I am seeking now is your experience: what kind of frame (steel or aluminum, how well has it held up, who did it, and how much. Mucho gracias!

I haven't had it done, but

Submitted by guerciotti on Tue, 2008-04-01 10:03.

I haven't had it done, but its a durable finish and folks generally really like it.

either.
http://www.millerpowdercoating.com/ (in Lilburn)
$100 per bike frame and fork

.

Submitted by paul h on Tue, 2008-04-01 11:04.

I've used Miller on a steel frame. They did satisfactory work. Mike at InTown says he knows a place up in Cumming that's good as well.

Right now, I'm looking at Air Glow out in Washington, GA. Judging from the portfolio, you can get an amazing paint job for a little more than 200 bucks.

Some notes on powdercoating vs. painting:
Powdercoating is very durable, but it's pretty much a shell around your frame. So if it starts to chip, it'll keep on chipping. Also, I think it's very hard to remove. So if 7 years from now, you decide another color, you're /more/ stuck with what you got. I think is a result from the fact that powdercoating is a very industrial type process.

I high quality paint job will be more customizeable in terms of textures and detail. I will also look better, but won't be as durable. Air Glow's work is simply stunning, IMO.

Miller

Submitted by X-topher on Tue, 2008-04-01 12:40.

I have used Miller for 3 frames and for the bike rack at 97 Estoria. Each time they did a great job. Powdercoating is a little heavier than a standard paint job but is very durable. If you want the most durable paint job available, ask for polyester powdercoat. Its a little more expensive but it is seriously industrial...the type you see on farm equipment. The rack at 97 Estoria is polyester powdercoat.

Powdercoat is also better for the environment than wet painting (no VOCs and no solvents!). Also there is no waste in overspray because all overspray can be reused!

You can get different finishes (satin, gloss, etc) and usually you can get a clear coat on top of your color coat for around $25, which adds durability.

The reason you don't usually see powdercoat on factory frames is because it is more expensive and because its heavier.

IMPORTANT: If you powdercoat your frame, make sure you face your bottom bracket shell before installing bottom bracket/cranks. Also, if there is any overspray into the bottom bracket threads (poor masking job) make sure you chase the threads.

A few more questions

Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 2008-04-01 13:11.

1. Did they strip the frames?
2. Did they mask the steer tube, bb, braze on for rack/water bottles?

Thanks for all the good info!

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Submitted by paul h on Tue, 2008-04-01 14:33.

yes and I think so.

When I took my frame in, one of the guys was telling me that he road BMX and that he'd take of it. The

Exactly what he did, I'm not sure, but the steerer tube of the fork was definitely masked. You should probably get your BB and head tube faced though.

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they mask everything and

Submitted by X-topher on Tue, 2008-04-01 15:15.

Paul is correct, they mask everything and yes, they strip your frame but you still need to face your bb shell and head tube when its finished.

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http://www.spectrumpowderwork

Submitted by monkeejuice on Tue, 2008-04-01 12:51.

http://www.spectrumpowderworks.com/
These guys do professional work. Quality is top notch and they can create any effects you want since they have very talented airbrush artists.

I've done it

Submitted by chis crash on Tue, 2008-04-01 21:51.

I did it when i was at BREW, would recomend them, send them a stripped frame and they mask and powder it. their finish held up well on my bike, and i went for a really thin coat to show the weld marks through, its all scratched up now in 2 places where a thief damaged it trying to break my D-lock (where his ball jack scraped the frame, and a scrape where the frame scraped the stand it was locked to.

pics pre scratch http://chriscrash.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/brew-finished/