Topic: Powder coating prices and thoughts?

[UnCrash]

I called 2 places near me in Portland Maine and got very different ball park prices.

First was ColorTech, they do mostly motorcycles.  They wanted $250 for the frame, $100 for the swingarm $100 for the fork lowers, and $115 for each of the Comstars.  This includes all prep and media blasting

Second was a smaller paint shop that also does powdercoating.  They wanted $200 for the frame $50 for the swingarm, $30 for the fork lowers,  and $25 for each of the Comstars.  He's done some harley frames, but doesn't have a blasting cabinet big enough for the frame.  He might be able to blast the wheels, and swingarm, but I got the feeling the prices I got were for pre-prepped parts ready to go.

I'll call around a little more, there are a couple shops closer to Boston that I'll inquire into as well. 

Any one have any thoughts, recommendations, or things to consider?

Thanks!

[GNXFan]

I just had some powdercoating done last week. They did my frame, swingarm,oil tank, engine brackets, etc., a total of 16 pieces. They only thing they didn't do was my triple clamps. Color was gloss black and the price was $170.00 plus tax for total of $182.15. This was the fifth frame he has done for me.

[UnCrash]

Holy Cow 

You're not near me are you 

[754]

It not that it isnt worth 200 -250 to do a frame.. but it just does not cost them that much.

Granted shops that do bike parts a lot should do better at masking and knowing how the part works.

A lot of powder shops simply take advatage or price what the market will bear..

[BobbyR]

I am going to get a ration of doo doo for this, but I work with a few guys that do Hershey class restorations. They will not touch powdercoat. It can flake off, chip and if something happens it is very hard to make an invisible repair. They tend to stick with high quality two part black paints. If you prep your frame well, you can do a glossy  smooth job with simple Rustoleum black enamel. Rattle can or better yet through a gun. It is cheap, very durable and very original.
Yeah I know, everyone has a great powder coater, however these custom restorers have not been happy with the result from any of them.   

[UnCrash]

Hmmmmmmmm

If you prep your frame well, you can do a glossy  smooth job with simple Rustoleum black enamel.

That sounds much cheaper than a powder coat 

[andy750]

Im with Bobby on this one....unless you are doing a concourse restoration and the bike will be ridden only in sunshine weather I personally wouldnt powdercoat...Rustoleum has done me well and I ride in all weathers 

cheers
Andy

[UnCrash]

This is the sage advise I was hoping for.

I'll put a few $ into finding a warm place to paint the old girl instead of powdercoating then.  I can prep in the cold, just can't paint it it.

Thanks fellas.

[754]

I am with Bobby on this one..

 Powder coat has its place and it is cheaper and easier to apply than wet paint.

 But the Question I want everyone to consider when they are talking a restored bike is;
 How can using a finish that did not even exist or was never used at that time by the OEM, be allowed on a restoration  without it causing points to be deducted for the use thereof??

If you introduce things never available when it is new, then it can never be a totally correct resto. Further aggravating the problem is, it is not even a matter of original finish not being available.. let alone being very hard to source..

JMO..

[UnCrash]

An additional piece of info is that I'm not doing a restoration.  I'm "trying to polish a turd" of a 78 750F.

The cheaper I can polish it up, the more will be left over for a mild port job from master Mike

As it runs great now, I'm trying to make her look better.  Once she looks better then I'll make her go faster, once she goes faster I'll, I'll,,,,, i'll

Oh you know the story.

You're all suckers for the same never-ending.