Are Your Powder Coated Black Forks Chipping?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 283
From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
Are Your Powder Coated Black Forks Chipping?
Less than a week after black powder coated forks were installed, they started looking like photos below although photos do seem to exaggerate the situation somewhat, however the larger white spots are definitely chips that seem to go down to the raw metal. And no I don't live on a gravel road or travel gravel roads. This was after 300 miles or so of normal road driving.
Powder coater has a good attitude and has offered to redo them. I want to stick with the black forks but not if the redo is going to look like these after only a week.
My question is are your black forks chipping like these and if not, did you go with a private powder coater or did you buy the H-D brand?
If not normal, any powder coater have any idea what might have caused this situation?
Powder coater has a good attitude and has offered to redo them. I want to stick with the black forks but not if the redo is going to look like these after only a week.
My question is are your black forks chipping like these and if not, did you go with a private powder coater or did you buy the H-D brand?
If not normal, any powder coater have any idea what might have caused this situation?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
Hoping Joe chimes in on this..
I would think if done properly, powder coating is about as tough as it gets & is supposed to resist chipping and scratching better than about anything...interested to hear what others have to say, but something doesn't seem right with yours.
I would think if done properly, powder coating is about as tough as it gets & is supposed to resist chipping and scratching better than about anything...interested to hear what others have to say, but something doesn't seem right with yours.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 283
From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
Is the curing that you are referring to a simple time thing? I purchased them on Oct 24th but they weren't installed until around Nov 14/15.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,490
Likes: 3,687
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Thing about powdercoating is that it is a lot tougher and definitely more durable than paint. The pics you show are not normal wear and tear…especially after 300 miles. Only bad thing about powdercoat is that you cannot touch it up like regular paint.
Glad your powdercoater is willing to stand behind the work and fix it for you.
Glad your powdercoater is willing to stand behind the work and fix it for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,185
Likes: 7,961
From: In my head
There are a number of steps to powder coating, pre treating the metal properly and insufficient bake times are often the problems with crappy finishes.
I send parts out for powder coating once or twice a month, over the years I've had a few instances pop up like this and the reasons I explained are what was told to me by the powder coating guy.
It's an easy enough fix. Powder coating is strong and durable and you will be happy once they are coated properly.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Nope. But I hunted down an HD blacked out pair for my Slim. I believe they were from the previous generation, but a heck of a lot cheaper because of that. Exactly the same forks.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
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From: Out west
Looks like it wasnt prepped right, it shouldnt have chipped like that.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
I've had my powder coated legs on for about 7k miles and don't have a chip or nick yet. My front end was done by Joe, aka forum sponsor The Powder Pro. All the parts I had him do were flawless. On the other hand, my engine guard and some other parts were done by someone local. The engine guard is chipped all to hell. I plan on sending it to the Powder Pro to get redone at some point.
