moxfyre

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

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!

jgedwa

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

moxfyre

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

buddyp

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

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8...-results&cd=2#

moxfyre

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?

comradehoser

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.

helmy

jgedwa, do you know if this guy in Carlisle is still doing powdercoating? Can you send me his contact info? Thanks!

surreal

I got a few frames done here: EastCoast PowderCoat - Custom Powder Coaters - North East, Maryland 410-287-6200 --Est. 2002. I think that's about an hour and a half from DC. The guy charged about $100/frameset, including flake in clear over the base color. That was a few years back; no doubt the price has gone up! But, the good news is, he's done plenty of bicycle work, and he rides, and he won't botch any threads or anything.

Which leads me to some general advice: go to a bike-friendly finisher. The first frame i ever got PC'd, i mentioned all the stuff that'd need to be masked off, dude was all like "uh huh, yeah" and when i got it back, the bb threads were all gummed up with powder, as were the insides of the headtube and seatpost. I had left the bottle cage bolts n, which ended up being a good thing b/c they came right out and those threads were fine In the end, dude did right by me; he gave me some solvent which made it easy for me to chase the threads and clear out the seat/head tubes.... but still, live and lean. Go to a place with bike experience.

**EDIT** just realized this thread is seven years old....

jgedwa

The guy I have used in Carlisle is Coating Concepts.

I have been happy with his work. It does take him a looooong time and many calls to get the job finished. But he does lots of bikes and so knows what he is doing.

Jim

rccardr 

Figure finishing LLC in Manassas Park. Awesome work.

findude

I've had (automotive) powder coating done at American Stripping Company in Manassas: American Stripping Company | Powder Coating & Blast Cleaning

They do excellent work and are reasonably priced. They will likely give you a price over the phone if you are polite and can provide measurements. I did see a bike frame there once, but it was inbound so I didn't see the finish. I know they do lots I motorcycle work.