epoxy painting
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
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epoxy painting
I have been reading some threads about powdercoating vs eopxy paint. Need some opinions. I want to black out some of my bike. I am leaning towards epoxy paint because I am reading it is pretty durable and less expensive if done correctly.
Here are the parts I would like to black out: triple trees, fork sliders, strut covers, removable sissy bar, luggage rack, and turn signals.
Will these parts hold up if I paint them or should I pay the extra $$$ and have them powdercoated?
Here are the parts I would like to black out: triple trees, fork sliders, strut covers, removable sissy bar, luggage rack, and turn signals.
Will these parts hold up if I paint them or should I pay the extra $$$ and have them powdercoated?
i woudl powder them... but the lower legs and turn sigs dont really get to much beating up so you can paint those... mine have been painted for almost 2 years now with no issues... but the side covers i would def powder as well as the sissy bar and rack
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
If you can afford it powder coating is best.I painted my fork sliders with epoxy because I didn't have money for powder coating and didn't want the hassle of disassembling my forks just for something cosmetic.But think about it you can paint stuff now and if you're not happy with the way it turns out still have it powder coated later.It has to be stripped for powder anyway.Of the things you mentioned the fork sliders and strut covers are a good candidate for Epoxy because they're easy to get to and redo if the paint gets scratched or chipped.I had a real tough time getting paint to stick to my turn signals and taking the triples off is something I don't want to do more than once.I don't think Epoxy would be tough enough for a luggage rack.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 4
From: Crisfield, MD
Small stuff epoxy paint (after good prep.) high abuse and wear areas powdercoat.
I tried the epoxy on my rear pulley but it was not really tough enough but worked fine on some shock perch covers. I use www.finaltouchpowdercoating.com for stuff I want to last (he has my pulley now) and he's fast plus reasonable.
I'd not used the epoxy paint before but plenty of other enamels which reguire primer (epoxy does not). The epoxy is very hard and tough once cured but in testing for longevity I tested a piece the I nicked and scratched (since the epoxy is not recommended for exterior use) and if you scrape or chip it by chance and it gets wet or you use a solvent cleaner or even wax/polish around it the paint will lift over time starting at the chipped area. The severe test was scraping a small area and letting the part sit in water for 10 minutes (not like washing or riding in rain would do this) when I run my finger over the paint it pushed right off but this was after only curing the paint for 2 weeks (epoxy paint supposedly cures in 24hrs. and recoat only after 1 week).
I tried the epoxy on my rear pulley but it was not really tough enough but worked fine on some shock perch covers. I use www.finaltouchpowdercoating.com for stuff I want to last (he has my pulley now) and he's fast plus reasonable.
I'd not used the epoxy paint before but plenty of other enamels which reguire primer (epoxy does not). The epoxy is very hard and tough once cured but in testing for longevity I tested a piece the I nicked and scratched (since the epoxy is not recommended for exterior use) and if you scrape or chip it by chance and it gets wet or you use a solvent cleaner or even wax/polish around it the paint will lift over time starting at the chipped area. The severe test was scraping a small area and letting the part sit in water for 10 minutes (not like washing or riding in rain would do this) when I run my finger over the paint it pushed right off but this was after only curing the paint for 2 weeks (epoxy paint supposedly cures in 24hrs. and recoat only after 1 week).
Last edited by capttawes; Jan 26, 2009 at 08:53 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,116
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From: Bella Vista, AR
Epoxy has great resistance to moisture as was stated earlier but almost no resistance to UV damage. I wouldn't use epoxy as a topcoat if your bike is outside a lot. You didn't say if you wanted gloss or flat. If you are looking for gloss I would go with a urethane. You can do flat with the urethane but it will take a lot of flattener to pull it off.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From: Sutherlin, Oregon
Epoxy has great resistance to moisture as was stated earlier but almost no resistance to UV damage. I wouldn't use epoxy as a topcoat if your bike is outside a lot. You didn't say if you wanted gloss or flat. If you are looking for gloss I would go with a urethane. You can do flat with the urethane but it will take a lot of flattener to pull it
off.
off.
Shawn
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Aldergrove BC, Canada
There is a "paint" called Endura this was developed for use on highway trucks and heavy equipment, it is nearly indestructable, a bit pricy but quality costs --as to sellers --- Google the name and good luck
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