Powder coat or paint myself? Dawes Kingpin.

[dim]

True, but more expensive. . A good powder coat can look surprisingly good. Choose one that knows bike frames and blocks out the threads.

Horses for courses and all that

Shaun

enamel = £100 ....: if it's a bike that you like and that you will keep, it may be worth it, and have it done properly:

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/resprays_pl.php

 

[screenman]

Do you mean two pack? If you are using a gun, the atomised molecules will be smaller, so a suitable mask might be advisable.

I would not spray anything without using a mask, even WB.

 

[Brand X]

If powder coating is done properly it's harder to chip than paint. Sure, there's no primer, but in terms of corrosion protection there's consequently less need for it. Two of my bikes are powdered and not a single chip on either, one being quite heavily used off road.

This has convinced me, thankyou Drago. I've read that powder-coat is prone to allowing rust to penetrate, and it doesn't "allow steel to breathe", but I've also read that stove enamelling is prone to scratches due to it being rather soft. I'd rather have the look of enamel and I don't think it would cost a lot more, but I probably need a scratch-resistant finish.

Yep, I think I'll go with powder-coating after all.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Powder coating's fine. I have a 531 steelie done recently that looks ace and I have in my collection one I had powder coated some 30+ years ago and it's fine.

 

[keithmac]

We had a motorcycle frame done, asked for a light powdercoat and it look just like it's been painted.

If they blather the powdercoat on thick it will look awful.

Imho powdercoat applied properly is a a lot more durable than paint.

 

[roadrash]

I had this powder coated at stockport powder coating, all threads were masked properly and i was really pleased with the results, took the frame and mudguards which were sand blasted and powder coated for £45 all in

 

[Dirk]

.......the risk of "drying out" vintage aluminium........

........ and it doesn't "allow steel to breathe".......

Aluminium 'drying out' and steel 'breathing' are two terms I've not come across before.
What do they mean?

 

[brokenbetty]

This may be too late for you, but I had a rusty Dawes kingpin powder coated and have been commuting on it regularly in London since last Christmas. I haven't noticed any problems with rust returning or the paint chipping.

Before:

After:

Powercoat:

There's a detailed thread about it on LFGSS.

 

[simongt]

Great job - ! Wouldn't believe it's the same bike - ! Good to see you've dumped the steel rims in favour of alloys. Much more efficient braking, especially in the wet - !

 

[Brand X]

That looks pretty darned stunning Betty! I'll check that thread out sometime, I'd like to read a bit about your bike.
I haven't powder-coated mine yet; I recently acquired a Raleigh RSW which I plan to get powder-coated at the same time but both bikes needed a lot of preparation before they can go for shot-blasting and painting, plus I got side-tracked with a couple of other little jobs so chances are I won't get it done for for ages yet.