Powder coating. A temporary measure?

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Greybeard
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Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by Greybeard »

a smidge over 25 years ago I had the frame of my '61 G80 powder coated by a reputable company in Pontefract and credit where credit is due, they did a very nice looking job too. As part of the restoration I did the cycle parts in 2-pack paint. Over the last couple of years I have noticed a tendency for some of the coating to start cracking and flaking. Nothing too outrageous that couldn't be touched in with real paint - I've already done the brake pedal and centrestand.
Today I had reason to take off the fuel tank and noticed that there is more flaking around the headstock. I reckon perhaps another couple of years and I'll be looking at stripping the bike again and sorting the frame out properly - the 2-pack painted cycle parts are still as good as the day they were done and on the whole the old girl is still presentable.
matchbox 1a.jpg
Could it be that powder coating was not the be all and end all it was marketed as. It may be fine for a quick cosmetic job, but for long term ownership, personally speaking I would rule it out altogether.
My Dad's '53 G9 was done a short time afterwards by the same company so I'll be looking at re-doing all his hard work at some point too :roll: He'd've been quite disappointed I imagine.
Needless to say that any future restorations will be done with 2-pack, though in fairness I'm not that likely to be around to check on how it's fared in another 25 years :roll:

Steve
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chappers1962
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by chappers1962 »

Powder coating has advanced over the years and is a good option for restoration provided it's been done by someone with experience with bikes (not someone who specialises in gates and park benches).

Just had frame and tinware done by fast line coatings in Preston who did an excellent job - doesn't look plasticky at all. They took me through the full process from degrease, Chemi strip, blasting, cleaning, etch prime and finally coating. Not particularly cheap but cheaper than having 2k. However, I will be having the tank , Mud guards etc 2k. 2k is the best option but it's all down to budget - therefore powder coating is still a good option.


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Reynard24
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by Reynard24 »

I had our dad's bike frame done around the same time by a firm in Ollerton in Nottinghamshire and that is still as good as the day I collected it, same for the two-pack that they did the petrol tank and fork shrouds with. I suspect that it's the preparation and how well it is carried out that dictates both the level and duration of finish achieved.
As you say powder coating was supposed to be a once and for all finish and so far, I've not had a bad experience with it. On one of my bikes I had the headlamp shell and toolboxes powder coated first and then flatted back and two pack applied to that to avoid any "orange peel" effect. They still look extremely good but that was a mere fifteen years ago.
Oldcarguy
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by Oldcarguy »

What was the original finish, was it stove enamel or paint?
Mick D
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by Mick D »

Hi

I'm pretty sure they were dipped in enamel - I found numerous remains of drips during my restoration.

My fuel tank for example:
Drips.png
Regards Mick
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39speedtwin
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by 39speedtwin »

I had my G80CS powder coated some 5 years ago, everything including hubs etc with the exception of the oil and petrol tanks which I did in 2 pack.
The local blaster (an Essex BSA man) blasted all the parts which he then took to the powder coaters.
The result was excellent, it looks that the thickness is no greater than the original enamel, to date no flaking or cracking has occurred.
Mick D
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by Mick D »

Hi

I'm very pleased with the service from my local powder coaters - they blast in house, prime with a corrosion inhibitor, colour coat and clear coat - three bakes :)
I was so impressed with the quality of finish on my first two restorations, (limited to frame, engine plates and minor bodywork), that I've gone the whole hog with my current one and have had the tanks, mudguards and nacelle powder coated as well - very happy with the finish and the saving over a spray job :D

Can't comment as to whether it will last 25 years or more but it's a real b****r to remove the coating from the areas I forgot to mask :oops:

Regards Mick
Richard Mills
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by Richard Mills »

Reynard24 wrote:I had our dad's bike frame done around the same time by a firm in Ollerton in Nottinghamshire and that is still as good as the day I collected it, same for the two-pack that they did the petrol tank and fork shrouds with. I suspect that it's the preparation and how well it is carried out that dictates both the level and duration of finish achieved.
As you say powder coating was supposed to be a once and for all finish and so far, I've not had a bad experience with it. On one of my bikes I had the headlamp shell and toolboxes powder coated first and then flatted back and two pack applied to that to avoid any "orange peel" effect. They still look extremely good but that was a mere fifteen years ago.
Can you remember the name of the firm in Ollerton?
SPRIDDLER
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by SPRIDDLER »

Mick D wrote:Hi I'm pretty sure they were dipped in enamel - I found numerous remains of drips during my restoration.
Spot on, Mick. Page 33 in the book 'Working for AMC' plus much more about the factory and production here:
http://archives.jampot.dk/general/Working_for_AMC.pdf

Just a small extract........
Painting 1.JPG
Painting 2.JPG
Painting 3.JPG
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Cjay59_LAPSED
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Re: Powder coating. A temporary measure?

Post by Cjay59_LAPSED »

I wouldn't go down the powder coating route again, I found cracking where ever bolts clamped the frame, looks fabulous on the bench,
Powder Coated Frame.jpg
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