Bicycle Mechanics - painting/powerdercoating around DC?

Can anyone tell me where I can get a steel frame painted in the region of Washington, DC? I'm just looking for something basic and durable, like a good powdercoat, but done right... and cheaper is better :D

A friend of mine got it done in B'more for about $100, but I've heard of people on here who got good paint jobs done for $60-80 and would like to know some recommendations around DC. Thanks!

I can't answer your specific question, but having just had three frames powdercoated in the last year, I can offer some unsolicited advice.

I got my frames done by a guy who has done a lot of frames, and he knew what he was doing. One frame was done in cool metalic green. When I got it back, the color of the green was somewhat different where it covered the different metal around the brazes. He said he had only seen that happen a few times before, but always with light-colored metalic pc paint. It did not look horrible, but it was not perfect. If I could do it again (he cut me a deal, and so I just took it), I would have chosen something non-metalic to avoid the chance.

Otherwise, I have been very happy with the finish. Very durable, and no discernable slop around the sharp edges. I did not even have to reface the BB or headtube.

And my guy will do a basic job for $80. Multiple coats (involving sparkles) bring the price up to $110.

He is in Carlisle, PA (about two hours from DC), so I am not sure it is close enough for you. But let me know if you want contact info.

jim

Hi Jim, please do let me know the info on that guy! I haven't heard anything closer yet :)

there are quite a few around DC. I used one of the ones in Manasass once, not for a bike though. They were fine.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&q=powder+coating&near=Washington,+DC&fb=1&view=text&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=more-results&cd=2#

Cool. So, if I go to a powdercoating place that doesn't have any specific experience with steel bike frames, are there any particular precautions or anything I need to prepare or tell them to get it right?

hey moxfyre,

there's a guy who lives across the street from Proteus--young guy who works in an autobody shop who might be interested in doing some bike work. Don't know what he would charge--don't know if he does powdercoating either. He rides bmx, and is repainting one at the moment.

As for the painting, you might want to suggest that they use a smaller spray nozzle--I think they have them for interior areas like doors and the like. The kind they use most for autobody are made for painting the large flat surfaces of cars, not small round tubes, so you might want to point that out. And to mask off all tube openings as best they can.

you could always talk to Dr. Deltron as well.