BrianEugene

I'm working on a couple of restorations (my very first!) right now and am considering having the frames powder coated. I live in Atlanta, so that would be the ideal location, but I am willing to drive a few hours. Additionally, I will be making a round trip drive to Connecticut in May for a wedding, so I could theoretically drop the frames off on the way up and pick them up a few days later if there were a better shop along the east coast.

A search of bikeforums yielded this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oating+atlanta
However, there isn't much detail in the thread and it is 3.5 years old.

Another detail: $100-150 is the maximum that I think I would be willing to pay per frame. Does anyone have any suggestions? Experience with having a frame powder coated? On my limited budget, should I simply try to do it myself with auto paint?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

wrk101

There is a guy in Dawsonville that advertises on Craigs List every week or two. I have not used him, but I have considered doing so.

rccardr 

Len McCreary at Figure LLC in Manassas, VA- not that far off of 95, right on your way to CT. Guy's awesome with the powdercoat and a biker to boot.

Drop it off on the way north, pick it up on the way back.

velomotrav

I recently had this done in New Orleans. I had them sand blast off the old paint, parkerize it, then powder coat and it was $300 sans tax, owing to cash payment. I could have haggled the guy -- the shop was empty -- but he was honest and skillful. It would have been another $75 if I got a custom color, but he had what I wanted left over from a previous job. Add more if you want them to plug tapped holes, or do much complicated masking etc.

Parkerizing/pickling/phosphate conversion coating/bluing is dipping steel in a chemical bath which builds up a resilient and corrosion proof layer. Firearms with a blue/black appearance are typically an example. 100% worth it on a steel frame, I believe.

Travis

BrianEugene

I've seen these posts, but the picture below turns me off:

And the $75 price tag seems too low. I've heard that Litespeed in Chattanooga will do powder coating, but I imagine that the price is significantly higher.

I guess I'm trying to learn to what extent powder coating is a "you get what you pay for" business and what price point makes it worth it to spend the extra money.

A little more info on my projects. I have a 1967 Dawes Galaxy that I've inherited and never intend to sell and I have an 80's Trek 420. I picked up the Trek 420 for $11 and decided to use it as a learning opportunity. I intend to sell it, but don't care about making a profit, just hopefully breaking even and learning from the experience. I've torn the Trek down completely (first time removing a headset or bottom bracket) and have it soaking in oxalic acid, but it will definitely need a repaint. So, firstly, I doubt I could spend more than $100-150 on the Trek and hope to break even. Secondly, I do not really mind if the Trek paint job turns out a little poorly and I'm more than happy to use it as a Guinea pig.

So I'm thinking that perhaps I'll send the Trek to somewhere cheap (maybe the Dawsonville guy) and decide whether or not I am satisfied. If I'm not, I look for other places to send my Dawes.

What do you guys think?
-Brian

rccardr 

I think that like anything else that's equipment-specific and labor intensive, you gets what you pays for. A 1st class powder job requires real skills, takes several steps, uses some specialized equipment, and it helps if the person who's doing it has a real sense of pride in the finished product. So...better to pay more (especially with good references) and be happy with the results.

Otherwise, your bike frame may wind up with a finish like patio furniture, which is a pretty common powder coating mainstay. Don't get me wrong- I like my patio furniture and it's comfy and all, but I wouldn't want to ride it.

yuyax

I had no idea about Figure. I might have to check them out when I am ready to re-finish my frames.

Thanks for the tip

rccardr 

Check 'em out.

Len's done eight frames for me so far & every one has been flawless.