Powder Coating a Frame Cost

You're right, it was cheaper than painting. Most of the cost was in the blasting. I had the swing arm done as well.
The real hassle was even finding a place to do it. Most of the PC places around my area wouldn't do the blasting.
Both have their good and bad points. Powder tends to be thicker and a lot harder to remove if something get coated that isn't supposed to, while paint requires the additional step of priming before paint goes on and the powder process is just plain faster. Me? It depends. Restored the body on a vintage Indy car a few years back and the wire spoke wheels needed to be the same color as the stripe on the car (dark blue) I advised the customer to have them powdercoated as it would produce better results. They came out great, and except for those involved, nobody knows.
 
I just had the frame,swing arm, battery box,side and center stands plus some engine mounts powder coated for my XS2. Results were great, better than new. Cost me $500.00 cnd.
 
I just had the frame,swing arm, battery box,side and center stands plus some engine mounts powder coated for my XS2. Results were great, better than new. Cost me $500.00 cnd.
If you're happy, that's all that matters. Post some pics. My maternal grandmother was born in Trail (1904) BTW. Lovely town.
 
If you’re asking about cost then Cerakote is out. (I’ve been flirting with this stuff for awhile) I’ve built an oven and have been powder coating my own stuff for years now. Powder coat is a great finish, it’s just not for everything. It’s sensitive to chemicals and chips. Cerakote cures ar a lower temp for longer. It’s just the prepping steps that suck. My last chassis, I have a local guy that does industrial painting. Truck chassis, equipment, etc. He used some epoxy based paint. He has limited colors and throws my stuff on the line with everything else. For $60 this was the way to go! Shit is hard to get off too. I had to weld another bracket on. I worked a flap disc over this epoxy for a few minutes. Just suggestions and like everything in life, how far ya wanna go?
 
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If you’re asking about cost then Cerakote is out. I’ve built an oven and have been powder coating my own stuff for years now. Powder coat is a great finish, it’s just not for everything. It’s sensitive to chemicals and chips.
Totally agree. PC has its place, but it's not bullet proof.
 
JAT. My original XS650 has had the frame touched up all over the place. Except for being black, none of the paint matches. Nobody ever seems to notice and I don't either. I ride this bike. For the next one, I want what's the least amount of work, most durable, and economical. If I have to touch up powdercoat with paint later on, I'm OK with that.

XS650 Calendar 202226.jpg
 
JAT. My original XS650 has had the frame touched up all over the place. Except for being black, none of the paint matches. Nobody ever seems to notice and I don't either. I ride this bike. For the next one, I want what's the least amount of work, most durable, and economical. If I have to touch up powdercoat with paint later on, I'm OK with that.

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Right on. I work in a manufacturing facility that touches up powder coat with wet paint before trucks leave the assembly line.
 
I ran into a situation. A frame that has oil inside it. Out gassing should be done before powder coating to draw out contaminants. With decades of oil soaking into steel, who knows. The benefits of wet paint is layers of clear that can be buffed when chemicals stain. I have although cleared over powder coat successfully. Powder coat is so hard that clear coat isn’t necessary BUT it’s for chemical stains and being able to buff it out. Just me.Edit: haha Notice that powder coat goes by “salt hours” I can’t remember the last time I rode on salty roads. Lol Again, powder coat has its purpose. I’m not a hater. For years my dad spent thousands on his drag car chassis getting powder coated. Finally I think he’s backed off some.
 
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