RE: [CR]Custom powder coating of cycling frames;

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

content-class: urn:content-classes:message
Subject: RE: [CR]Custom powder coating of cycling frames;
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 13:28:11 -0800
Thread-Topic: [CR]Custom powder coating of cycling frames;
Thread-Index: AcUK/8apTHKxmxc0SG+2TX6bR2kDJwAAFouQ
From: "George Argiris" <George.Argiris@mitchell.com>
To: "Eugene Powell" <radfin@SpiritOne.com>, "Donald Gillies" <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

Atta boy Eugene,...............but this Imron thing.................., ah, forget it. I'm tired.

George argiris San diego, ca

-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Eugene Powell Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 1:19 PM To: Donald Gillies Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Custom powder coating of cycling frames;

Slow down Don,

I've stripped a lot of powder, and as much as I agree that it's not the right technology for a bike frame there's no need to overstate the problems.

First off, yes it's fully reversable on a steel frame. Assuming proper application (and we're talking about Spectrum, like it or not they know what they're doing), there is nothing to powder finish that can't be repaired later.

Next, as to it's life span, everything chips, and with powder because here's no primer rust will travel at will underneath. That's the big issue. Sooner or later it's going to rust, big time. A good powder coater can see to it that it gets good coverage, that it thins out appropriatly in the right places, fades, panels, etc. They can do all of that, but I know of no system that provides protection underneath. So as soon as it chips, or you machine the headtube/bottom bracket, insert a water bottle screw, whatever, you get little spider fingers of rust spreading damaging you frame.

Someday someone may solve this problem. That accomplished powder is a system worth taking a good look at, it has many advantages, and solves a number of problems. But for now I'll keep spraying Imron.

Also you can't bake carbon fiber, it's wet spray only. And some aluminum heat treating processes can be compromised by the baking process as well.

On Feb 4, 2005, at 12:37 PM, Donald Gillies wrote:
> My understanding is that powder coating a frameset is like getting a
> tatoo. It can never be fully reversed (as far as I am aware.)
>
> Let me know how your Tatooed Claud Butler frameset comes out. It will
> certainly look great for the next decade, but if the frame is still
> rideable in 40 years how do you think the next owner will feel about
> the powder coat finish ??
>
> I hope your frame never gets bent and needs a repair.
>
> I hope you never need a new fork for that frame.
>
> I hope that the next caretaker is as happy with the colors as you are.
>
> I hope you have all the braze-ons that you will ever need.
>
> I hope the powder coat gives you more happiness than the unhappiness
> it causes to future owners of your frameset.
>
> I hope that when UV or basic deterioration finally kills your powder
> coat, the next owner (who paid less because the frame was not saleable
> to a "restoration" buyer) will not just dump it in the trash.
>
> On the other hand, for an aluminum or carbon frameset, powder coat
> will probably outlast the frameset, and is perfectly appropriate in my
> opinion. But I don't think its the best choice for steel ...
>
> - Don Gillies
> San Diego, CA
> _______________________________________________

>

>
Gene Powell
Rad Finishes
Portland, OR