Powdercoating & Sandblasting

[Crossrodes]

Now that it's cold and rainy up here and I froze my buns on a short 100km ride today I'm thinking of tearing the bike apart and getting the frame, sub frame, headlight bucket and any other black parts powder coated.  I already have the valve covers and a few engine parts done and I'm very pleased with the result.  However the shop I went to wants and estimated $500 to sandblast and powder coat the frame.  This seems a tad on the expensive side to me...what do you think?

My other question is what type of media (sand, whatever) would you recommend to do the sandblasting of these parts.

[nhmaf]

It is a bit high, but doesn't sound completely crazy from what I have heard.    Bike frames have many little nooks and crannies and though not much paint is actually used, it is time consuming to blast, clean and prep all those little surfaces and shoot with paint or powder, and bake.   There can be no grease or oil whatsoever for the powder stuff to stick and fix itself, so meticulous cleaning is required.

I am beginning to think strongly of putting my compressor to greater use and learning how to spray paint to help keep the cost of my hobbies within reason... maybe.

[montmil]

There are other blast mediums available that might be less destructive than blast sand. Walnut shells, plastic abrasives, glass bead and crushed glass grit, aluminum oxide and others. Ask the powder coat guys for their recommendations.

Preparing the frame will be a labor intensive job what with blasting, cleaning out all the grit bits and sealing threaded bolt holes, bearing openings and such prior to the powder coating process. These openings need to be closed off -vinyl plugs are often utilized- as the paint film will cause reassembly concerns/problems. The actual color shot and baking is anti-climactic.

Bottom line is the labor will be the most expensive part of the job.

Monte

[Landlubber]

My framework has been recently completed, sandblasted and black satin powdercoating, looks very nice, cost 300 here in Brisbane.

[515_FOTO]

I have been thinking about getting mine painted also, but know NOTHING about painting beyond rattlecan messes. What are the advantages/disadvantage/cost differences betweend painting and powdercoating.
By reading your post I am assuming the 500 estimate is you handing them the pieces--not rolling the bike into the shop. What was the cost of the engine parts you got done?

[Lucky_Lou]

I had my frame sandblasted haveing stripped it down myself for the princely sum of 30 quid.....about $55 i then had it primed and painted with 2pac for 60 quid that would put the total job at about $165 i dont think it would have cost anymore to powder coat the frame but i didnt want to get on the wrong side of the rivet counters.
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

Have you checked around for other companies in your area, that provide the same service ?

$500 does seem a bit high price wise .

Are you planning on using a standard color powder coat ?

A few companies that do powder coating here in the Phoenix area, will give you a better price, if you can wait until they have a large number of items to do, instead of your parts individually .

It was 91 F. (33C.) here yesterday .

Riding season is just getting into high gear here .

[Crossrodes]

I haven't checked around yet Bob but I plan on spending 3 months in Yuma this winter.  One of my options is to take the parts down there with me and have the job done there.

I plan on having a gloss black finish.  I would guess that is pretty standard.

[Crossrodes]

515...Sorry I missed your post.  I don't know what it would cost to have a paint shop paint the frame but I'm guessing it would be cheaper to do it myself if I were to choose paint.

You are right...I plan on handing them the pieces.  For me powder coating is much more attractive for the frame because it stands up so much better than paint.

If I recall correctly it cost me $85 to get the valve covers done (I sanded off the horizontal fins when it was done).  They look great.  I also had the timing cover done.  I think that was about $75. again I sanded off the fins and it looks great too.  I had them apply a gloss finish.

I just called a powder coater in Victoria today.  They estimate $250 for blasting and painting but they would be using sand.  I'll see what it might cost to use walnut or glass beads once I get the bike apart.

[nhmaf]

Actually, depending on the paint used, a spray applied paint can be just as durable as a powder applied paint.   Powdercoating isn't a special form of magical wizardry - it is just very economical to do in a production setting and doesn't create the clouds of noxious fumes that create breathing/ventilation challenges and OSHA compliance challenges, messy cleanup and wastage, so it is preferred for those very real environmental factors.  But, an epoxy based spray paint properly applied can provide the same quality of finish, but to do it properly without causing a long term health risk day-in-day out requires more training, protocols, and equipment = $$$.