jkan

has anyone ever powder coated a carbon fiber road fork?

I am having my steel frame powder coated and want to coat my carbon fiber fork the same color. I was concerned the 400 degree oven would affect the connection between the metal steer tub and the carbon legs, or create any other structural problems with in the fork?

jeffz

Unless I am mistaken, it needs to conduct electricity to be able to powder coat it. I don't think that carbon will conduct electricity.

Allen

The carbon, more precisely the resin, can't tolerate 400º.
Sorry, but powder coat and carbon don't mix.

j0e_bik3

simple answer

YOU CANNOT POWDER COAT CARBON FIBER.

(notice the period?)

above answer is correct, the plastic will NOT handle the 350+ degree heat.

you PAINT carbon fiber,...which sets up a whole nuther' issue: MATCHING the powdercoat color.

here's what ya do: get the frame powdercoated, when you get the frame done, ask the powdercoater to make you a sample panel about 5" square: so thats a 5" steel plate that gets powdercoated right along with your frame.
most places wont charge you anything extra for this.

now take that steel plate to an autobody supply shop (color shop) that has a computer scanner, and have them scan the sample panel and make you up a pint of good urethane basecoat (the expensive stuff ALWAYS matches better), and then take the fork to a painter and give him the paint.

the reason you get the sample panel made is that most color scanners need at least a 4" square to make an accurate color match.

you can also let the color shop do whats called a "full spray out match", but that usually costs $$$$$ and takes a few days, but the color will be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.

there ya go

peace, love, and isocyanates

jkan

I was under the same impression, but my powder coater said he can get a charge off of it and has done carbon race car panels in the past, however paint matching sounds like a better idea and a bit safer.
I'll go with it, thanks for the help

Allen

When the panel fails it maybe peels off of the car.
When your fork fails, your front wheel snap off and you have an up close and personal, high speed, encounter with the pavement.

j0e_bik3

THATS probably the BEST reason, right there.

also I'd be curious as to which powdercoater your talking to?

(ya never know, maybe he figured out a way?)

Nessism

Had some red basecoat mixed for my car and 1/2 pint cost me $75. Contrasting carbon weave might not be such a bad thing.