Powdercoating over chrome

[medfurd]

I have a chrome 2005 Bianchi Pista. My plan is to strip the clearcoat and remove decals, then powdercoat the frame white. I've been told different things by different fabricating shops today, most notably Co-Motion Cycles and Bike Friday (both in town).

Some say that the powdercoat won't adhere to unprepped chrome, and that the chrome will need to be sandblasted. Will this pit the steel, and should I ask what other media is available other than sand, when I inquire at places? I searched and didn't come up with anything about removing chrome, or adhesion of powdercoat to chrome. Thanks :D

[SoonerBent]

I doubt that powder coating will adhere very well to chrome. Sandblasting won't hurt anything if they only blast the chromed areas. It really wouldn't hurt anything anyway if done correctly. There are other media such as walnut shells, plastic and glass beads, and others. Sand is the best way to go to surface chrome. The others are more for cleaning paint, rust, etc. not for roughing up a hard surface. Forget having the chrome removed. It can be done but I wouldn't put a bike frame through the chemicals it takes to do the process.

SB

[medfurd]

I doubt that powder coating will adhere very well to chrome. Sandblasting won't hurt anything if they only blast the chromed areas. It really wouldn't hurt anything anyway if done correctly. There are other media such as walnut shells, plastic and glass beads, and others. Sand is the best way to go to surface chrome. The others are more for cleaning paint, rust, etc. not for roughing up a hard surface. Forget having the chrome removed. It can be done but I wouldn't put a bike frame through the chemicals it takes to do the process.

SB

Ok, thanks. At first read, I didn't realize you were saying the chemical process of removing chrome was completely seperate from sandblasting, but that makes sense. I know what sandblasting is. http://bianchiusa.com/05_pista.html This is the bike, the whole frame is chrome. I'll be looking into it. One guy told me powdercoating will add weight, about 1/8 of a pound. Is this true.

[Ohso_Sandy]

As a frame builder and having done just this more than once, we will either bead blast , sandblast, or use silacone carbide blast before we powdercoat and yes the adhetion is very good after. It will stand up as long as the powdercoater is good and knows the recipe for heat and time. If you have more questions contact me and I can get you in contact with my boss and he can help you more.

Sandy