Powder coating

[Flossyrockstar]

I,ve decided to pimp up the summer beast, the frame is a Planet X, but has been sprayed by the previous owner blue and white with what looks like either cellulose or two pack which is starting to flake off.
So the question is, is it a durable option or am I better off getting it stripped back to the metal and leaving it?

 

[PpPete]

It is a durable option, but does involve sripping back to bare metal first.
I've only ever had it done on steel frames. Not sure how feasible it is on Alu or other materials.

 

[smokeysmoo]

As PpP says it is durable, a lot more so than a painted finish, but that also means it's the most costly option too IMO, unless you were having a blinging custom paint job done I suppose.

I've never gone down the powder coat route myself due to, (assumed) cost, but I've had a few frames re-sprayed now, and granted they were professionally sprayed and baked, (I've friends in the trade), but I was perfectly happy with the results and had no issues with paint chipping off etc.

The beauty of a painted finish though is it means you can get a perfect colour match touch up paint as well if need be.

 

[Andy_R]

I had my 4 year old carrera powder coated last summer as it was looking a bit tired, cost £40 for a bead blast to bare metal and then the powder coat. Ali frame, no problems. Just make sure whoever does it for you knows how to mask off the bottom bracket, head tube, and any rivnuts/mounting points. Well worth it - mine ended up gunmetal grey with gold flake running through it, looks mean on an overcast day, but shimmers on a sunny day!

 

[MacB]

Anything from £30 to £100 for a strip and powdercoat depending on where you are and how much they need to do and the finish you want. There are quite a few that claim to specialise in bikes but to be honest any decent body/paint shop can do a good job. As Andy says just make sure they protect threads properly.

 

[Flossyrockstar]

Found this place online http://www.armourtexltd.co.uk/ and spoke to Duncan, very helpful guy, said they can't powder coat the forks as they are carbon but can spray em for £90. I might give that a swerve and get a new/better set of forks at a later date. So I,ve started to strip her down ready for the off on Monday reckon they can turn it round in two to three days for about £80.

I,ll take some piccys when it,s back.

Thanks for all the comments guys.

 

[P.H]

Armortex are good, I've seen a few examples. Have you paid for an extra coat of clear gloss? It's very shiny if you like that sort of thing, I do.

 

[Amanda P]

We've had Armortex do some bits for us, and they're good. They know about masking threaded bits, and how to package things for posting back. Recommended.

Having said that, there are many companies doing powder coat, including potentially one more local to you. Try asking around locally.

 

[biggs682]

i have had 2 steel framesets blasted and powder coated at a complete cost of the pr of £75 , so works out to less than £40 per frame

 

[Flossyrockstar]

i have had 2 steel framesets blasted and powder coated at a complete cost of the pr of £75 , so works out to less than £40 per frame

I think one of the reasons that it,s more expensive is due to the frame having to be dipped in a solvent then blasted at low pressure with soda before they apply the powder. Where did you have yours done?

 

[biggs682]

I think one of the reasons that it,s more expensive is due to the frame having to be dipped in a solvent then blasted at low pressure with soda before they apply the powder. Where did you have yours done?

spray craft did the powder coating in irchester and another local person whos name has escaped me did the blasting

 

[Flossyrockstar]

spray craft did the powder coating in irchester and another local person whos name has escaped me did the blasting

Ta, I might give em a call tomorrow.

 

[biggs682]

Ta, I might give em a call tomorrow.

are they local to you ?

 

[sancho]

Anything from £30 to £100 for a strip and powdercoat depending on where you are and how much they need to do and the finish you want. There are quite a few that claim to specialise in bikes but to be honest any decent body/paint shop can do a good job. As Andy says just make sure they protect threads properly.

.....and if you are unlucky to get paint all over the threads then use gasket remover to remove the paint.

 

[Flossyrockstar]

are they local to you ?

I dont know, I,m in biggin hill in Kent, just googled irchester, so no.
I,ll probably stick with the hackney crew as I can be there in half an hour.