I'm certain this subject has been discussed many times before so pass on this thread if it annoys you.

I'm doing my first full tear down & rebuild on a 82 FXRS. I'm going to do a mild custom build and know very little about the powder coating finishes on a bike. We have adecent shop here that will do my frame/swingarm for $150 & my prepped jugs for $50. I'm considering doing much more at these rates. Is this a good route to take for other items like the tank, fenders, oil tank etc. or should I pass for another type of finish?

 

Powdercoating the oil tank to match the frame would look good, but I'd pass on PCing the rest of the tins, unless you're going for a matt look. Powdercoating still hasn't quite gotten to the same glossy, deep shine possible with paint. It's also a hell of alot harder to remove if you dent something and need to redo it.

 

Power coat on tins,,,will look like,,,brushed on enamal...

Check wit the powder coater,,,,I had them strip an old job,,,they re-heated,,,and the coat fell off....

U'r just doing the outter edge of the fin's,,,,not the whole jug?????

I saw a finish about 2 weeks ago,,,,,it looked like he had the chrome lightlly anodized red...really sharp looking....ask the guy about it and he said that he thought it was powder coated...

 

Having just started coating at home, I'd say if you have a VERY talented coater, the tins should come out well. Powder coats can be clearcoated, and polished like paint. It's much more durable, of course, but as mentioned above, repairs would be somewhat more difficult.

As a side note, if powder coat "fell off" when re-heated, it was applied really badly. If it was heated way above cure temp, I guess it might come off, but it will stay attached at up to around 400 degrees. Generally powder will only come off with sanding (done it- lots of work!) or with chemicals.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but that is one sweet looking Softtail, jbt. What finish is on those pipes?

 

I would probably not powdercoat the tins. Although you can get some really good colors done in powder. However, IMO, you would be better off with paint on the tins.

Now the motor, cases, frame,etc...Powder...It's the chit. I got my Jeep CJ's skidplate/crossmember done at: www.exoticcoatings.com They're 'local' to me, but they do outstanding work. They do all sorts of things, motorcycles and custom cars being a big business for them.

 

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**Hijack in progress!**

That's actually satin black spray paint. I'm currently looking for a full-size oven for coating, so when I find one, I'll re-do the pipes in satin powder. As it is, I need to repaint every month or so.

Hijack over, please continue with your thread.

 

I don't think Toyman is looking, so on with the highjack-

My powdercoat guy went to great lengths to talk me out of PCing my pipes. Said it was an ugly finish, so I had JetHot coat them in flat black instead.

Just so this isn't a total highjack, there's a lot of powdercoat on this bike.

[IMG]local://upfiles/9230/7AF33F8330C341F4928E9DA71B8387E8.jpg[/IMG]

 

Toyman!!! we been highjacked....kewl,,,,sounds like we got some,,,smarta$$'s,,,gonna set u straight on powder....

JBT!!!! is that powder on,,,, forks, x3 tree's, rizers, bars, dash, frame....whats on the oil bag and rocker box's, side cover???? Nice job!!! hurt my neck trying to see the primary finish...