Powdercoating v Paint

[Heikki360]

I have a 1984 Husky 500CR and will shortly get to the stage of repainting or powdercoating the frame and other bits and pieces. I have decided to stick with the stock white colour scheme. What are the pros and cons of powdercoating v paint? Thanks in advance for your help.

[pokey]

powdercoating = Thick

Some parts  may not align  correctly, engine mounts swingarm.... Having said that My 240wr was powdercoated and it was Booooodifull

[Hoony]

i have had a Honda CR250 powercoated since 1992 its lasted extremely well. if you do powercoat you need to put bolts in every thread on the frame otherwise they will all be blocked and that will be a problem clearing the threads out. only problems with powercoating is as Pokey mentioned and also it is very hard to get off if you ever decide to do it again.

[Tony T]

I had my DR frame powder coated once and it looked magnificent. Until you used it. It chipped really easily and looked like crap very quickly.  

[Rosco400]

Powdercoated the Maico at the start of year, full season racing showing barely a blemish, quality of powdercoater preparing and applying product is the difference, Give Cliff or John a ring at Prostrip 0249426264, you will not be dissapointed

[Rossvickicampbell]

I love the powdercoating - had my 73 250 done 3 years ago and still looks good.  As far as the bolt holes go I go through everything with a tap before trying to put back together - not too hard but certainly needs to be done or blocked.  Good powercoaters make the difference though.  The first effort by one guy took 3 months, chipped, flaked and fell off so I went elsewhere and couldn't be happier.  Painting is OK but will not last as long.

cheers

Rossco

[Freakshow]

only downside to powder coating is if it cracks in the wrong places it can hold water, if you are a bit of a cleaner or look after your bikes you should be able to notice any cracks/water before it rust a hole in your frame.

last thing i had P/C was an RD,  in white just stuck peices of masking tape in the holes and it was fine, i think the finish can vary based on how fine a blast grit is used, and how well the painter gets it off the gun, if it runs you gotta start again, whereas painting you can sand out and blend.

I think if your racing i'd powder coat to stop all the roost marks and rocks in the down tubes, but if your restoring go with a acid dip and paint.

horses for courses  me thinks 

[DJRacing]

Hi Heikki360,
   I have had a few frames powdercoated and it has lasted well. I'm about to send another frame to my powdercoater here in Wanganui and the cost is about $180 and that covers sandblasting, priming and the powercoating. I havnt had a problem, and to clean the threads out I just use a tape and die set, it does a good job, never a problem. Before you get it powdercoated just use masking tape to mask anything you dont want coated. And I can even inspect the frame after it has been sandblasted for any corrosion/rust or cracking. The powdercoater I use is called Spectrum Coating here in Wanganui and there phone number is 06 3445600 and address is 433 Heads Rd, Wanganui, NZ

See you at Taupo

[Heikki360]

Thank you all for your help, gentlemen. Looks like powdercoating will be way to go - cheaper, too. It will be interesting to see if it stays bright white and does not yellow. What were Husqvarna thinking?

DJ, I have been sabotaged by family at the last minute and won't be at Taupo. Will just have to win the last three rounds...