Cotic Soul 2010 - repaint options?

Hello - this is my maiden post!

I have a 2010 Cotic Soul as my MTB and a 2012 Cotic X as my roadie / workhorse. I'm not terribly "Retro" then, but hopefully you can all help anyway.

Three months ago, I needed some new forks for my Soul. I surveyed the market and found that most forks were available only with a taper steerer. I found that the Mk3 Soul had now gained a taper steerer tube - but the cost of new forks, Soul Mk3 and ancillaries was well over a grand. All for a bike with few other differences to my current Mk2 Soul.

I then took another look at what was available for my current Soul... and found some totally bargainous Fox 32 120 RLC QR15 forks *with straight steerer* to plug into my existing Soul. I also decided to repaint my Soul... and I'd like to go for an unusual colour.

I had an Orange 5 repainted by Argos in 2007. It was a great colour and finish, but it chipped easily. I appear to have two options if I want a tougher finish (like the OEM Soul):

1. 2 Pack finish: available from Argos, who are a known quantity to me. Unfortunately this finish limits me to a narrow range of colours. I'd probably go with white, which matches my Fox forks, and could look cool with the Cotic "wrap" and black finishing parts contrast. I also haven't seen this finish on a Cotic before.



2. Powder coat: this would mean going with a local motorcycle specialist, who I don't know. This option would be cheaper and durable, but I hear mixed reviews of powder coats and about problems with decals. This option means I could choose any RAL colour - I'm tempted by these:






Either way, I'm ready to go. I've managed to find the main Cotic decals (from Cotic), 853 decal (from Reynolds) and potentially a pewter Cotic headbadge from Geoff Moorhouse.

Any help, tips or opinions gratefully received.

I use a firm local to me to powdercoat my Tazer frame and they did a pretty good job. It was also tough as hell. I'd just apply the decals over the top and refresh every now and then once they get tatty.

The Souls look really nice in cream. There are a couple of chaps on STW who have had theirs painted in cream and they look lovely.

Forgot to add that I like the bright green the best of the colours you have selected.

Powder coat is tougher and more durable than wet paint.

There's a thread recommending some good paint and powder coat places here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... paint+shop

I had a frame done at LSN coatings in Castleford, West Yorkshire: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=232089. Frame and forks for £40.00, plus about £30.00 to post it there and back, they don't do decals though, so you'll have to sort that out yourself. I was really pleased with the result, absolutely delighted with the metallic lime green, the pictures don't really do it justice, it's more striking in real life, but you can see it here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=232089

Did you see the white Cotic Soul on singletrack the other day? http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic ... ul-content

Looks really good in white. The green looks great though.

As for powder coat I was looking into this for my Kona. A local company who do a lot of bikes said powder coat is tough but once chipped you cant touch it up and if I was keeping it long term then go for wet paint.

Good plan to refresh your current bike and save a load of cash to boot!

You can touch RAL powder coat up with a RAL touch up of the correct colour - your local car body paint supplier can supply the paint to match

Same goes for fancy colours - just get them to match it

WD

Wow - thanks for the advice and links chaps. Credit to the person who just put this one up on Singletrack:



I think I'm sold on a white paint job... watch this space. :mrgreen:

happy to help, just had to let you see the one in white, it is stunning.

Look forward to your finished bike

Do you homework before powdercoating, as the baking temperature (in excess of 400C) is sufficient to 'undo' the strengthening properties on many heat treated alloy frames.

Or down around 220 ish ... ;-)

WD