Technical & Reference Section > Tech and Restoration

Help on powdercoating needed

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Nosnod:
I am looking to get a frame powdercoated. The frame is aluminium, virtually brand new and is already painted with the stickers on.

1) Does the frame have to be stripped down to the aluminium base or can I just remove the stickers and get it powdercoated over the existing paint?

2) If it does have to be stripped who is best placed to do this: me or the powdercoater and how hard is it to do?

3) What is the best way to remove the stickers?

4) What kind of  approx cost am I looking at?

Oviously I am going to speak to some powdercoating companies soon but I just wanted to go with some basic knowledge so I dont look like a complete tw8t! :-[

Sanmarcopizza:
I am no expert, but will offer my opinion. Powder coat needs to be applied to bare metal so the existing paint will need to be removed. I also think that the surface needs to be "Keyed" i.e not smooth, so the powder can adhere to it. The normal process for this on steel frames is to media blast. This is where beads of plastic or metal (possibly ceramic materials ?) are fired at the frame under pressure. Most powder coaters offer this service. I am unsure whether this id done to alluminium frames, but guess a soft media can be used so the metal isn't destroyed. I guess you could strip with paint stripper and key the frame with sandpaper. If the frame is to be media blasted then it needs to be de-greased, and possibly have the decals removed so that the media doesn't get all sticky. Use a hair dryer to warm the decals and thus soften the adhesive, and peal the decals off. I normally use something like WD40 sprayed onto the residue, leave it for a short while and then rub with a finger and it normally rubs off. I am sure someone more knowledgeable will add to this.

aditup:
You're about right there San. The old paint must be removed, both outside the tubes and inside, or it "bleeds" onto the new colour. Paint stripper, emery tape and degreaser is what I use. ALWAYS Prep yourself, is what I say. The old saying; P1ss poor preperation, leads to p1ss poor performance. Don't trust it to someone else, they will cut corners. The cost, if you prepare it yourself, about £40 for F+F and bars. ;) Ad

daz bmx it!:
I have a chrome frame which i want a pukka job doing on,is it the same process for chrome or different? ???  cheers :)

lazychubs:
superbikedan on here is a powdercoater pm him and he will put things straight for ya

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