Mountain Biking - Anodized or Powder coat? Which lasts longer and is more scratch resistant?

Anodized or Powder coat? Which lasts longer and is more scratch resistant?

Also, why is Anodized more expensive?


Thx!

Well, if its the same as computer parts i.e. thumbscrews then Anodized is stronger. Its more expensive because of the amount of coating that gets applied. I dont know about scratch resistance. Scratch it and find out :)

anodized doesn't hide anything, you basically just change the color of the aluminum alloy. powdercoating is more protective, it actually covers the material. are you refering to a frame? anodizing a frame is basically just coloring it, and may make the alloy material stronger/harder. you have the alloy surface exposed, then you subject it to a treatment similar to "chroming." powdercoating is spraying powder onto the frame and then baking it so the paint is even and smooth. i would say powdercoating is more protective from scratches because it actually covers over the alloy material, kind of like a layer of paint. anodize is not a layer of paint. anodize is probably more expensive because of the process involved, not comparable to powdercoating.

Powdercoating is definitly tougher, but its not as shiny as anodizing, so it depends on what you want...

I'm getting a black Santa Cruz Blur frame and I have the option of either anodized or powder coat. I want something that will still look decent after a few years of riding.

It sounds like powder coat is the one to pick from the above suggestions.

Originally posted by toolfreak
Powdercoating is definitly tougher, but its not as shiny as anodizing, so it depends on what you want...

Actually, powder coat is shinnier. It looks as if it's got an epoxy coating while anodized has a more satin/duller finish. I've been noticing that a lot of office funiture/supplies are actually anodized. ie. desk, stapler, edge clamp lamp...

Here's another anodized bike:

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/swfsr_blk_l.jpg

This is powder coat I think:

http://www.trekbikes.com/images/bikes/2003/mountain/large/liquid30.jpg

I'd go with the Epic!

Doh sorry, wrong question

:fun:

The powder coat has the potential to chip away from the frame while the anodized won't, as the color is in the metal.

you can scratch both, i have Ano parts on my bike and powder coated rims. they both will scratch. but i would say powder coating is better because with some anodizing it will rub out. but powder coating shows small little spyder web scratches, but powder coating is thicker so rubing down to nothing is not that much of a problem.

powder coating is basically a plastic that has been ground intoa powder, and is sprayed back on to a negatively charged item, and then baked. The plastic powder melts forming a thin layer of plastic over the item. It can be very shiny if done correctly. as far as scratch resistance. given the right circumstances anycoating will scratch. Maybe you should coat it with Line-X or a Rhino lining coating. HAHAHA!

I wonder....

Would it not be easier to re-paint a frame that has been powder coated as opposed to one that has been anodized as well?

Shane

you can re-powdercoat a powdercoated frame, as you can re-anodize an anodized frame. btw i'm talking about the general processes, not bike frame specifics. here's an example: when dealing with car rims, some come powdercoated or anodized. when you curb a rim, you're going to damage your wheel, regardless of whether it was ano'ed or pc'ed. so like MadDogJR stated you can damage both. anodized rims are considered more exotic than powdercoated rims, btw. the finish is that classy raw alloy texture(basically the same as how it started, only with color), whereas powdercoat will appear like spray paint (but better texture) and will be smooth and glossy.

Something to note about anodized frames and parts. Anodized parts fade. Especially in hot bright sunlight. I've had anodized aluminum parts completely fade in less than two years.

I've had my frame powdered. It's tough but dulls with fine scrathes from road grit.