Decals onto bare metal, then a clear powdercoat.

[barry2017]

Is this possible?

 

[Russell]

I have no idea, but what about etching or engraving the decals onto the bare frame instead?

 

[barry2017]

Oooh, what a nice idea!
I'll have to find out about that.

 

[perry]

i know a guy who used a dremel instead of decals , looked cool

there was a few years when a lot of bmx frames were available in raw . looked good until they started getting scratched . as they only cleared them and didnt take into account of the loss of thickness of not having any paint they scratched easily . surface rust quickly grew under the thin clear and made the whole frame look manky . some areas went cloudy too

if you really want to do it make sure its plenty thick

i have a bmx frame in bare metal , its been that way for years and has very little tarnish to it . if it went out in the rain id just quickly wipe it over and spray gt85 at it . get sweat on it and you know about it , i have a rusty hand print on the toptube . probably not wise on a boat though

 

[Dr.Robotnik]

there was a few years when a lot of bmx frames were available in raw . looked good until they started getting scratched . as they only cleared them and didnt take into account of the loss of thickness of not having any paint they scratched easily . surface rust quickly grew under the thin clear and made the whole frame look manky . some areas went cloudy too

For example my current bike a Metal Rebel Contender in clear coat. Started rusting the day I got it just as mentioned above.

 

[No Longer Registered]

This surface finish is only will look good if you manage to remove all impurities on the surface before the lacquer is added. This is so you don't get anything reacting with the metal or the surface oxidising. You would need a thick coat of a plastic lacquer to provide a good skin on the otherwise bare metal.

 

[JeRkY]

As for the initial question, the powder may have trouble sticking over the decals. powder coating relies on electro-static attraction to stick the powder to the frame, adding an insulating layer in the form of a decal may upset this process.

Then your second problem will be the bake. Its quite possible your decals will shrivel up under the temperatures that the powder is baked at to turn it from powder into a hard coat.