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Am thinking about changing from the gray powder coating on my '07 SG to black. Any input or suggestions on whether this is a suitable DIY project? or take it to a Pro?
Eastwood has a lot of powder coating equipment. My powder coater gets his stuff from them. Not exactly brain surgery, but it is an acquired skill to do the job right. Everything will have to be prepped. That is, sand blasted, sanded, roughed up, etc, so the powder will adhere correctly.
While it's true powder coating may not be "brain surgery," unless you have the knowledge, skill and equipment to do it right you're gonna end up with a mess, a very expensive mess. If you want to get some cheap equipment and do some stuff yourself I'd recommend practicing on scrap metal or junk parts... not your engine.
here is another important question though... What will it take to do the job as far as disasembly? Can the motor just be taped off around the rocker covers etc., or do you have to pull the guts out? Same for the tranny? I would like to go two-tone like the old shovel heades, but it seams like a bit of a pipe dream.
The engine would have to be completely disassembled.
Even if someone DID powder coat an engine that was assembled, down the road when it had to be taken apart all the hardware, panels, etc would be sealed with powder coat! You'd have a serious problem trying to get it apart to say the least. Besides that, any plastic seals, grease, oil etc would be damaged and/or leak over the parts damaging the finish. Bottom line, pieces parts only.
Guess this is why I am only doing the covers on my bike. Too much money time and effort for the black motor look. That and I actually like the contrast of the black against the silver. Breaks things up pretty well.
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