Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated.......

[1997BlackC5]

Anyone had any experience of clear powder coating, pros & cons? Any pics of frames that have been done? Thinking about getting it done to a polished steel frame.

 

[drystonepaul]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

I think, and I could be wrong here, that the general concensus is that clear powder coating on steel can still allow a little moisture and therefore rust under the coating.
The powder coat is essentially a plastic wrapper which only partially adheres to the metal, whereas paint or lacquer bonds to the surface more effectively making surface rusting less likely.

Another approach with bare metal frames is to use anchor wax or boiled linseed oil to protect the steel. This may need reapplying once a year or so and would also be much cheaper than a powder coat or wet spray/lacquer.

 

[superstar1]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

So what about the longevity of some of the latest Kona frames that are bare steel with some kind of coloured lacquer?

 

[xerxes]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

I think, and I could be wrong here, that the general concensus is that clear powder coating on steel can still allow a little moisture and therefore rust under the coating.
The powder coat is essentially a plastic wrapper which only partially adheres to the metal, whereas paint or lacquer bonds to the surface more effectively making surface rusting less likely.

I'm not sure that coloured powder coat would be any better if that were the case, as it's only pigment within an uncoloured plastic/epoxy that melts onto the metal surface. I think it's much more than a plastic wrapper too, it bonds to the surface and is generally a lot tougher and more chip resistant than "wet" paint, which would suggest that it adheres to the surface even better than wet paint.

http://www.warnercustom.com/powder-coat ... wders.aspx

 

[Koupe]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

Another approach with bare metal frames is to use anchor wax or boiled linseed oil to protect the steel. This may need reapplying once a year or so and would also be much cheaper than a powder coat or wet spray/lacquer.

Apologies for going slightly O/T, but has anyone done this on a 'year-round' bike? The prospect of having to lacquer my frame is making me delay in getting my build finished - if the above options would protect in actual riding conditions it would be far easier. I have noticed that my frame oxidises far slower than I'd expect from steel (due to chrome content? metallurgy not my strong point), so I guess I have a bit of a head start anyway?

 

[WD Pro]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

In general, powder needs a clean, oil free roughed up (blasted) surface to bond properly.

It certainly doesn't last long on polished / diamond turned alloys ... :-(

WD

 

[paddy311]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

I think, and I could be wrong here, that the general concensus is that clear powder coating on steel can still allow a little moisture and therefore rust under the coating.
The powder coat is essentially a plastic wrapper which only partially adheres to the metal, whereas paint or lacquer bonds to the surface more effectively making surface rusting less likely.

Another approach with bare metal frames is to use anchor wax or boiled linseed oil to protect the steel. This may need reapplying once a year or so and would also be much cheaper than a powder coat or wet spray/lacquer.

Only my opinion but I'd recommend thinking very carefully before using ankor wax on anything that there is even a vague chance you or someone else may want to paint anytime in the future.

Getting all of that stuff off in the future is very difficult - and the silicon content ruins any paint you try to apply.

 

[rumpfy]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

Clear coat (pc or paint) looks really cool, but you'll ultimately get rust worms.

 

[Koupe]

Re: Steel bike frames that have been clear powder coated....

^^ Actually, that's something I hadn't even considered. I guess the wax/oil option would be better, if only because you can take care of rust as and when it appears.