Looking for opinions on frame painting...

Which do you recommend and why?

 

Powder coating holds up a lot better then spray paint.

 

It all depends on how bad it is. My general "rule of thumb" is 10% or so; if it's less than 10% "in need" then I use rust converter, primer, and rattle can it.

If it's more than 10% I'll strip it down, and then have a body shop or "paint guy" (somebody with a booth and more knowledge than I) spray it with a good quality two-part automotive type paint.

I don't recommend powder coating for frames because the only way to truly repair a chip, scrape, or other damage is to re-bake it. Paint, on the other hand, is much more easily repaired.

 

I agree with Fitz.

I have restored many motorcycles and a Porsche.

Do not powder coat your frame, paint it, if powdercoat chips you cannot repair it easily.

If it's going in your livingroom or a museum, then go ahead and powder coat it.

 

Spray paint.
Then Money you save can be better spent on other things.
and plus 2 on the repair part

 

Ok, starting to come back from the dark side lol. My problem is the garage I'm working in is very poorly heated and it seems like the paint (Plastikote Engine Enamel) doesn't want to take. Does this sound right or do some paints handle cold better?

 

Powder Coating is the toughest way to go, but I do alot of painting, so it is much easier for me. I do not use spray cans. I media blast the frame, degrease, etch prime, and then paint with a catalyized urethane. I get a terrific finish that is easy to repair.
By the way, you should never paint in a cold environment.

 

Yamasarus, you used a lot of big words in there haha. I'm gonna throw up some plastic in my basement to paint some of the smaller pieces. Might just make the booth a bit bigger and paint the frame there too... Back to the paint store, I go.

 

Don't use that Plasticote crap either.

Go to an AUTO PARTS store if you're going to rattle-can it; and get some paint that's made to withstand the elements (automotive paint.)

You're not painting patio furniture or your mailbox; it's a motorcycle. Forget the craft store, stick to the auto parts store.

 

This is automotive paint, Fitz. Bought it at Napa. High heat engine enamel.

http://www.plastikote.com/index.jsp

 

And I think I've stayed away from a lot of the noob questions but it's 7am and I've been at work for 2 hours already, on 4 hours of sleep so I'm having a moment of weakness. Is it absolutely necessary to take the old paint off the frame or can i just blast off the rust and spray the whole thing?

 

With the price of propane it'll be Springtime before any painting gets done at my house ...

skillet

 

Oh, OK, sorry. The only Plasticote I've seen here was at the hardware store, for "homeowner" use.

Not necessary to strip the whole thing; but if you plan to paint the whole thing, I would at least wet-sand it anywhere you're going to be painting over the original paint.

 

Ok fair enough, thanks once again for the help!