Powder Coat vs. Wet Paint...

I'm considering having a frame repainted with 1 or 2 colors, and I'm trying
to decide between the powder coat process vs. wet paint. If I powder coat,
I'll most likely use Spectrum Powder Works (Colorado Springs), and if I wet
paint, I'll probably use Hot Tubes (Worcester, MA). I've been lead to
believe by some that powder coat is a somewhat more durable finish, while
others have said the durability of the two is roughly the same. Since the
cost is about the same from these two refinishers, price isn't the
determining factor. Spectrum says they specialize in creating a powder coat
with a wet paint "look". If this is true, the esthetics isn't an issue
either. What experience have you folks had with these two methods?

"rosco" wrote in message
news
I'm considering having a frame repainted with 1 or 2 colors, and I'm trying
to decide between the powder coat process vs. wet paint. If I powder coat,
I'll most likely use Spectrum Powder Works (Colorado Springs), and if I wet
paint, I'll probably use Hot Tubes (Worcester, MA). I've been lead to
believe by some that powder coat is a somewhat more durable finish, while
others have said the durability of the two is roughly the same. Since the
cost is about the same from these two refinishers, price isn't the
determining factor. Spectrum says they specialize in creating a powder coat
with a wet paint "look". If this is true, the esthetics isn't an issue
either. What experience have you folks had with these two methods?

It depends on what kind of paint Hot Tubes uses. If they use polyurethane like
Imron, it's pretty tough stuff. A good, thick powdercoat is probably tougher,
though. Then there's the level of finish. Powdercoat has traditionally been
kind of "industrial" looking, but these days it's really good -- better than
most production bike paint jobs. However, the best finishes are still with
paint. I guess it depends on how good you want your bike to look, and how much
you're willing to spend. Powdercoat is usually much cheaper.

Sometimes the best paint jobs can almost look too good -- especially if you
don't have top-notch components in really good condition. A less perfect finish
can actually be a better match.

Matt O.

It depends on what kind of paint Hot Tubes uses. If they use polyurethane
like
Imron, it's pretty tough stuff.

They use PPG urethane paints.

In article .net,
says...
I'm considering having a frame repainted with 1 or 2 colors, and I'm trying
to decide between the powder coat process vs. wet paint. If I powder coat,
I'll most likely use Spectrum Powder Works (Colorado Springs), and if I wet
paint, I'll probably use Hot Tubes (Worcester, MA). I've been lead to
believe by some that powder coat is a somewhat more durable finish, while
others have said the durability of the two is roughly the same. Since the
cost is about the same from these two refinishers, price isn't the
determining factor. Spectrum says they specialize in creating a powder coat
with a wet paint "look". If this is true, the esthetics isn't an issue
either. What experience have you folks had with these two methods?

powder coat will be more durable. If you are looking for a simple paint
scheme, go with the powder coat.
--------------
Alex

To demonstrate powdercoat, I take a sample tube and whack it on my
workstand, producing a dent. then I carve a curl of clearcoat off the tube.
In both cases, no chipping. My former painter also used PPG urethane and I
don't look back.
Tom

--
Bruni Bicycles
"Where art meets science"
brunibicycles.com
410.426.3420
rosco wrote in message
news
It depends on what kind of paint Hot Tubes uses. If they use
polyurethane
like
Imron, it's pretty tough stuff.

They use PPG urethane paints.

"Matt O'Toole" wrote in message ...


It depends on what kind of paint Hot Tubes uses. If they use polyurethane like
Imron, it's pretty tough stuff. A good, thick powdercoat is probably tougher,
though. Then there's the level of finish. Powdercoat has traditionally been
kind of "industrial" looking, but these days it's really good -- better than
most production bike paint jobs. However, the best finishes are still with
paint. I guess it depends on how good you want your bike to look, and how much
you're willing to spend. Powdercoat is usually much cheaper.

Sometimes the best paint jobs can almost look too good -- especially if you
don't have top-notch components in really good condition. A less perfect finish
can actually be a better match.

Matt O.

Hi, more questions, than answers. What is used on new bikes. Like the
Trek products, LeMond and Klein? The Kleins I have seen have all had
nice finishes, as did the Felts.
I would have to agree that shoddy, worn components, wouldn't look
right with a high quality finish. But I would possibly find myself
overly protective of a bike that had a custom paint job. Getting that
first nick or scratch in a new bike or car is always a bummer, but
after that, an occasional chip seems a part of life.
Final question, what do these place charge for frame refinishing?
I appreciate the info,
Jeff

"rosco" wrote in message
news
I'm considering having a frame repainted with 1 or 2 colors, and I'm
trying
to decide between the powder coat process vs. wet paint. If I powder
coat,
I'll most likely use Spectrum Powder Works (Colorado Springs), and if I
wet
paint, I'll probably use Hot Tubes (Worcester, MA). I've been lead to
believe by some that powder coat is a somewhat more durable finish, while
others have said the durability of the two is roughly the same. Since the
cost is about the same from these two refinishers, price isn't the
determining factor. Spectrum says they specialize in creating a powder
coat
with a wet paint "look". If this is true, the esthetics isn't an issue
either. What experience have you folks had with these two methods?

There's a shop here in San Marcos that'll powder coat your frame for you for
less than $100. They do all of one of the local builder's frames and I
haven't seen a bad one yet.

Whoever Russ Denny uses did a fantastic job on the pearl black powder coat
on my track frame...

Pearls, candies, metallics, I've seen some pretty nice samples at the powder
coating guy's shops.

Look around locally. You can probably find a shop in your area that'll do
as good a job for a lot less $$.

Mike

"Jeff Starr" wrote in message
om...

Hi, more questions, than answers. What is used on new bikes. Like the
Trek products, LeMond and Klein? The Kleins I have seen have all had
nice finishes, as did the Felts.

It's probably acrylic enamel, like most auto paint -- not nearly as tough as
powdercoat or polyurethane. Boutique frames usually have better paint, often
polyurethane. Some are powdercoated, like the original Bontragers.

I would have to agree that shoddy, worn components, wouldn't look
right with a high quality finish. But I would possibly find myself
overly protective of a bike that had a custom paint job. Getting that
first nick or scratch in a new bike or car is always a bummer, but
after that, an occasional chip seems a part of life.
Final question, what do these place charge for frame refinishing?

Usually $1-200 for powdercoat, $150-400 and up for polyurethane -- depending on
which colors, how many colors, fades, other designs, and even decals. Here are
a couple of links for paint shops, but there are many, many mo

http://spectrumpowderworks.com/

http://www.campyonly.com/joebell.html

If you have a bike like a Klein or Waterford, you can just send it back to the
factory (who in turn probably sends it to someone like Joe Bell).

Most cities have shops that do powdercoating, for everything from signs to off
road truck parts. You may find a really good deal from a place like that, but a
bicycle specialist is likely to do a better job. Still, I've seen really nice
jobs done for $100 or so -- well worth it.

Look for a shop in your home town anyway. Even if it's not cheaper, you'll save
a lot on the shipping charges.

Matt O.

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 19:12:21 +0000, rosco wrote:

I'm considering having a frame repainted with 1 or 2 colors, and I'm
trying to decide between the powder coat process vs. wet paint. If I
powder coat, I'll most likely use Spectrum Powder Works (Colorado
Springs), and if I wet paint, I'll probably use Hot Tubes (Worcester, MA).
I've been lead to believe by some that powder coat is a somewhat more
durable finish, while others have said the durability of the two is
roughly the same. Since the cost is about the same from these two
refinishers, price isn't the determining factor. Spectrum says they
specialize in creating a powder coat with a wet paint "look". If this is
true, the esthetics isn't an issue either. What experience have you folks
had with these two methods?

I have been very happy with the powder coat on my fixed gear bike, a
30-year old track bike. But you are talking about a whole different ball
game in terms of finishers. Neither of these guys will be doing $100
paint/powder jobs, will they? For my price range ($100), powder is a much
more durable finish. It also looks great. My bike is a metallic blue
with a beautiful luster. You can see it on
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com, #325.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | A mathematician is a machine for turning coffee into theorems.
_`\(,_ | -- Paul Erdos
(_)/ (_) |

On an episode of "American Chopper", they powder coated a set of aluminum
rims with this red, that turned out really shiny.. almost like an anodized
red, but with a really high polish. It looked amaaaazing.
The guy that looks like hulk holgan then said that he prefers powder
coating, because the finish is so much more rich.

By that fact alone, I'd go powder coat

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

"rosco" wrote in message
news
I'm considering having a frame repainted with 1 or 2 colors, and I'm
trying
to decide between the powder coat process vs. wet paint. If I powder
coat,
I'll most likely use Spectrum Powder Works (Colorado Springs), and if I
wet
paint, I'll probably use Hot Tubes (Worcester, MA). I've been lead to
believe by some that powder coat is a somewhat more durable finish, while
others have said the durability of the two is roughly the same. Since the
cost is about the same from these two refinishers, price isn't the
determining factor. Spectrum says they specialize in creating a powder
coat
with a wet paint "look". If this is true, the esthetics isn't an issue
either. What experience have you folks had with these two methods?