Newbie with an A7 SS, powder coat the frame ?

[davedental]

Hi everybody
Already learnt a huge amount on here and saved myself a lot of time and grief by being steered in the right direction, so thank you all!
I have recently purchased a 1958 A7 SS with a 1960 ss engine in dire need of restoration. Tackled the engine first which was supposed to run (hadn't been started for over 20 years) Completely stripped the engine and found all in surprisingly good order, just a few little glitches like a helicoil in the barrel came out with the bolt, both ends of the primary drive nuts loose and one thread gone in the sump plate. Worst part was finding another issue with a sump bolt, the casting was broken where somebody has used bolts instead of studs and nuts. Being welded as we speak. Long way to go yet, can't decide whether to powder coat the frame and wrestle with the swinging arm bushes or to stove enamel or 2 pack paint it, any thoughts? No doubt i will be writing again soon with more issues
Davedental

[Greybeard]

 

[RDfella]

2 pack paint man myself.

[Bsalloyd]

Powder coating is truly easy and great way to get it done. I have powder coated a couple of bikes but have never been satisfied with the results. The appearance is not as glossy as the 2 pack paints. The powder coating it much thicker and adds unwanted thickness especially on the engine and transmission adapter plates. The last A10 I restored required a lot of time to remove the coating in those areas. So, I vote for 2 pack paints for all future restores. Good luck on your adventure! Lloyd L

[ianbsa]

Yes stay well clear of P/Cting, awful stuff. had my frame done a few years ago but it never seems to look black...more like a black grey if that makes sense....and plasticky which it is I suppose. Seen some very nice two pack finishes.

[Greybeard]

I had my frame powder coated. It's OK. I once had a car hood frame powder coated and that was like a thick plastic coating, rather like the plastic handles on a pair of pliers. So, I think powder coating may mean different things to different shops.

[beezermacc]

Powder coating is usually much cheaper than other options. If you're happy with an 'OK' finish powder coating will do the job but make sure you take it to somebody who is used to doing motorcycle frames and has a good reputation. If you want a concourse finish you'll need to go the two-pack route or even stove enamel.

[Jules]

2 pack is my choice too, although I have to say its not as chip resistant as I expected.....I had some engine brackets powder coated for a car resto and was disappointed with the poor adhesion at points where they had been bronze welded, obviously hadn't been properly cleaned out first....also my decision on 2 pack was based on the s/a bushes too, I didn't want to get into those.

[Rex]

Rather like sprayers, there's powder coaters and then there's powder coaters.
Quality varies although generally the quality seems much better these days. If your bits get put through with a large lot of industrial brackets or garden furniture then it clearly wouldn't be as good as a bike/old car specialist.
I use a firm in Southampton called Trestan and I can't praise them highly enough. Beautiful deep gloss flawless black (or whatever) a quick turn-around and reasonable prices. They also do two-pack and stoving.
I wouldn't even contemplate going back to the days of endless paint removal, rubbing down etc.

[AdrianJ]

I’ve discovered that my local powder coater also stove enamel. They don’t advertise it because they say there is no demand and it is more expensive with most customers being happy with powder coating.
I wonder if most powder coasters can also stove enamel.
I got them to do my head and barrels - nice job.
Adrian

[ianbsa]

2 pack is my choice too, although I have to say its not as chip resistant as I expected.....I had some engine brackets powder coated for a car resto and was disappointed with the poor adhesion at points where they had been bronze welded, obviously hadn't been properly cleaned out first....also my decision on 2 pack was based on the s/a bushes too, I didn't want to get into those.

Trouble is few people seem to understand prep these days. In days of old the guy would soak out any workings/welds with hot Trichoethelene (evil stuff), but it'll strip out even the most buried grease deposits.

[Greybeard]

In days of old the guy would soak out any workings/welds with hot Trichoethelene (evil stuff), but it'll strip out even the most buried grease deposits.

In my yoof, I worked for a few weeks at a plating shop. I had to use the hot Trico tank to degrease tiny thingies. You climbed some steps at the side of the tank and lowered the baskets of widgets into the vapour. There was a solid-looking cloud of Trico vapour coming halfway up. The Trico condensed on the metal and started dripping off like rain. If you were not careful a swirl of vapour would come up and you got a whiff of the stuff. It smells like a dry-cleaning shop: Same stuff I imagine.

[Jules]

amazing what we got away with back then wasn't it, I'm not sure I'd want to be working with those sorts of conditions now though - however, I do still have some Toluene in a 5 gallon drum leftover from "them days" which I still use (carefully) for cleaning parts, partic. carbs....
I do agree though Ian that that was the issue with the parts I had powder coated, the coating just crumbled off showing powdery corrosion underneath..

[ianbsa]

Trouble is Jules its the undustrial nasties which give us the best results....Used a tin of cellulose spray recently?...rubbish as they've taken all the nasties out of it.

[ianbsa]

In days of old the guy would soak out any workings/welds with hot Trichoethelene (evil stuff), but it'll strip out even the most buried grease deposits.

In my yoof, I worked for a few weeks at a plating shop. I had to use the hot Trico tank to degrease tiny thingies. You climbed some steps at the side of the tank and lowered the baskets of widgets into the vapour. There was a solid-looking cloud of Trico vapour coming halfway up. The Trico condensed on the metal and started dripping off like rain. If you were not careful a swirl of vapour would come up and you got a whiff of the stuff. It smells like a dry-cleaning shop: Same stuff I imagine.

My old dad was a toolmaker, ha... he used to bring home gallons of the stuff....great smell. You daren't even try to get it now, ...I find a tin of gun wash in the workshop is nearly as good.