Powder Coating vs Painting Motorcycles in Los Angeles, CA
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Motorcycles are enjoyable vehicles to own not just because they are enjoyable to ride, but also because they are very simple to maintain and personalize. If you're thinking of restoring, modifying, or simply touching up your motorbike, you might be asking about your frame and how to improve its appearance. A common question we get is whether powder coating or painting the frame is better. Not only can you powder coat the frame of your motorcycle, but we often get customers in our shop inquiring about motorcycle wheel powder coating. We always recommend this service because your wheels are always subject to harsh conditions such as rocks flying up on the roadway and striking them. Applying a powder coat to the wheels can add a nice protective layer to further protect them from damage such as scratching.
Powder Coat Pros and ConsWhen a frame is powder coated, a powdery material is sprayed over the whole frame (hence the name). It nearly appears like a hairdryer is spewing powder out.
When powder coating a motorbike frame, it must be thoroughly stripped down to the frame. This necessitates the removal of the engine, seat, tank, electrical harness, and even every nut and bolt from the frame. This is necessary since the frame will be placed in a big oven, which would otherwise destroy other components. The good news is that the work is typically completed thoroughly. You'll never have to worry about missing a location because a component was blocking the route. You'll know that powder coating has been applied to every inch of the frame. Another advantage of powder coating a motorbike frame is that it lasts far longer than other painting techniques. The sun, along with all of the other factors, may have a significant impact on paint work, including paint jobs on motorcycle frames. The sun's UV rays can brighten the paint, basically sun bleaching it, leaving light patches and a discolored frame behind. That is not the case with powder coating. Powder coating will usually maintain the same color for the duration of its life, regardless of how long it is exposed to the sun, rain, or snow. If you take proper care of the bike, the powder coat will look as if you just bought it from the shop after ten years. Powder coating is also far more durable than any other paint job you've ever attempted. The chemical reaction that occurs while the powder dries in the oven following application guarantees that the frame is covered in a thick and durable layer. Powder coating is frequently used on machinery that travels a lot but yet has to be maintained. Powder coating motorcycle wheels is also one of the most popular requests we get. We are the official provider of custom powder coat services for the Los Angeles Motorcycle Club. Outside of motorbike services, we often get players from the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, LA Dodgers, and LA Kings hockey team, come into our shop and get their vehicles rims and wheels powder coated by our professional contractors. |
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Powder Coating Cons
Despite the fantastic results you'll get from powder painting your motorbike, there are a few drawbacks. The first disadvantage I'll address is that powder coating is not a "do it yourself" activity that you can accomplish on a Saturday afternoon in your garage.
While it is feasible to purchase a powder coating kit and equipment to complete the work yourself, the results are frequently less thorough and crisp than if you had it done by a professional. You'll also need a large enough oven to place the frame in to cure the powder, which most folks don't have on hand. You'll have to take it to a specialist and get it done.
Powder coating is also more costly than painting the frame. Powder coating a motorbike frame starts at approximately $150 and varies based on where you reside and what has to be done to the frame. This normally excludes any preparation work done to it as well as dismantling of your motorbike.
If you want preliminary work done, expect to pay between $200 and $250. If you want the shop to disassemble and reassemble the motorbike for you, expect to pay another $200–300. It will cost you no more than $50 or $60 to paint the motorcycle frame yourself.
Powder coating a motorbike frame also takes a lot longer than painting it yourself. When you powder coat a motorbike frame, you're almost certainly taking it to a shop to get it done. You must adhere to their timetable and book an appointment. It also takes them many hours to finish the process and cure it in the oven.
While it is feasible to purchase a powder coating kit and equipment to complete the work yourself, the results are frequently less thorough and crisp than if you had it done by a professional. You'll also need a large enough oven to place the frame in to cure the powder, which most folks don't have on hand. You'll have to take it to a specialist and get it done.
Powder coating is also more costly than painting the frame. Powder coating a motorbike frame starts at approximately $150 and varies based on where you reside and what has to be done to the frame. This normally excludes any preparation work done to it as well as dismantling of your motorbike.
If you want preliminary work done, expect to pay between $200 and $250. If you want the shop to disassemble and reassemble the motorbike for you, expect to pay another $200–300. It will cost you no more than $50 or $60 to paint the motorcycle frame yourself.
Powder coating a motorbike frame also takes a lot longer than painting it yourself. When you powder coat a motorbike frame, you're almost certainly taking it to a shop to get it done. You must adhere to their timetable and book an appointment. It also takes them many hours to finish the process and cure it in the oven.
Painting Pros
When I say "paint a motorbike frame," I'm referring to doing it yourself rather than having it professionally done. There are several advantages to painting a motorbike frame yourself, one of which being the ease with which it may be accomplished.
Some individuals choose to paint their motorbike after removing everything off it and stripping it down to the frame. While this is good, painting a frame without removing some of the larger components, such as the engine, is still doable (click here to see our article about how to paint a motorcycle frame without removing then engine). This can still produce excellent outcomes while requiring far less effort on your behalf. Additionally, this is something you can do yourself on your weekend.
Whether you want to powder coat your motorbike frame or paint it yourself, both methods need some preparation. Preparation work is critical since it influences the longevity of the paint or powder coat on the frame. If you perform your prep work correctly, your paint job on the frame might look just as nice as powder coat without the time and money.
When it comes to cost, painting a motorbike frame yourself is less expensive than powder coating. I've painted a number of motorbike frames in the previous several years, and it's never cost me more than $50-$60.
Some individuals choose to paint their motorbike after removing everything off it and stripping it down to the frame. While this is good, painting a frame without removing some of the larger components, such as the engine, is still doable (click here to see our article about how to paint a motorcycle frame without removing then engine). This can still produce excellent outcomes while requiring far less effort on your behalf. Additionally, this is something you can do yourself on your weekend.
Whether you want to powder coat your motorbike frame or paint it yourself, both methods need some preparation. Preparation work is critical since it influences the longevity of the paint or powder coat on the frame. If you perform your prep work correctly, your paint job on the frame might look just as nice as powder coat without the time and money.
When it comes to cost, painting a motorbike frame yourself is less expensive than powder coating. I've painted a number of motorbike frames in the previous several years, and it's never cost me more than $50-$60.
Painting Cons
As previously stated, each technique of covering a motorbike frame needs preparation. When a frame is powder coated, people frequently pay the business to prep the metal since they have the necessary equipment. When you paint a frame yourself, you must perform the prep work yourself, and you must be meticulous. This is something you should not scrimp on if you don't want your paint job to seem sloppy.
I've made the mistake of rushing through the prep work, only to discover that the paint began to chip soon after I painted the motorbike frame. Poor prep puts dirt and grease on the frame, which prevents paint from adhering to it.
Paint tends to scrape off more easier than powder coat. If a tool slips or you tip your motorbike, you'll almost certainly get some scratches or chips that you'll have to spot treat with new paint. Because paint is not as durable as powder coat, the harsh outside environment may impair the paint work, leading to chips and paint peeling off.
When you paint a motorbike frame yourself, you run the danger of having overspray on other elements that were not intended to be painted. Doing things yourself is a terrific way to go, but because you may not have as much expertise, you may not always know every location you need to tape off to prevent over spray.
We encourage you to come into our shop and see why our team has the reputation as the best powder coating company in the San Fernando Valley,
I've made the mistake of rushing through the prep work, only to discover that the paint began to chip soon after I painted the motorbike frame. Poor prep puts dirt and grease on the frame, which prevents paint from adhering to it.
Paint tends to scrape off more easier than powder coat. If a tool slips or you tip your motorbike, you'll almost certainly get some scratches or chips that you'll have to spot treat with new paint. Because paint is not as durable as powder coat, the harsh outside environment may impair the paint work, leading to chips and paint peeling off.
When you paint a motorbike frame yourself, you run the danger of having overspray on other elements that were not intended to be painted. Doing things yourself is a terrific way to go, but because you may not have as much expertise, you may not always know every location you need to tape off to prevent over spray.
We encourage you to come into our shop and see why our team has the reputation as the best powder coating company in the San Fernando Valley,