frame respray

[alan dun]

Hi there,
Any recommendations for a firm to do respray on a nice steel 531 frame.
Nothing fancy, but a nice clean job in one colour.
Is stove enamelling the way to go ?
I am assuming this is not a job to tackle on the kitchen table...
thank you

[Jdsk]

Would you consider powder coating?
search.php?keywords=powdercoating

Jonathan

[alan dun]

thanks,
I think it's hardwearing.
if the colour is good, maybe the way to go
are there downsides ?

[simonineaston]

are there downsides ?

Yes, potentially. Powder-coating is the cheap&cheerful option. When done well, its hard-wearing and cost-efficient, but draw-backs can include threads coated, lack of coating adhesion and a slightly lumpy appearance over areas of sharp detail, such as tube lugs. Much depends on the skills of the coater.
I'm not saying powder-coating no good, but more a case of horses for courses and can suit a beater / commuter best due to its toughness and potential to look a bit - how shall I say - not as good as an expensive, pukka, sprayed jobbie (which is likely to cost many times more).
Also try to find out if they do bike frames regularly, as some of the techniques they can use on tougher stuff - car wheels, motorbike parts for example, can be a touch too aggressive for delicate tubing used in some lightweight cycle frames. Try to go by personal recommendation.

[thirdcrank]

Two highly-regarded firms in West Yorkshire are Ellis Briggs in Shipley and Woodrup's in Leeds.

https://www.ellisbriggscycles.co.uk/resprays/

https://www.woodrupcycles.com/renovations/

Both show their respray pricelist although EB's is a download. Jackson's have been closing down/ staying open so much it's hard to keep up but I think they are now shut. In the past, there were various myths and rumours about who did the actual enamelling, but who knows?

If you aren't handy for W Yorks then there's carriage on top. Worth it? A personal decision.

[PH]

are there downsides ?

Yes, potentially. Powder-coating is the cheap&cheerful option.

It can be cheap and cheerful, but several companies with a lot of bike experiences are charging similar prices to wet paint, with results to match. I recently used these and am happy with the result
https://ctc-powder-coating.co.uk/our-work/bicycles/

One thing that might be considered a downside is the inability of most powder coaters to put decals under a clear coat, so the choice is adding them on top, or going for a plainer look, I chose the latter
Alfie by Paul, on Flickr

[simonineaston]

Nice!

[alan dun]

thanks for ideas, examples and links.
I have contacted EB for a price.
will also follow up on shot blasting and powder coating.
cheers

[rogerzilla]

Powder coating can work well as an OEM finish (Bromptons and Moultons are sometimes dire for powdercoat adhesion, Surly and the other Taiwanese-made frames are excellent). I have never seen a powdercoat refinish that I would be remotely happy with.

[peetee]

When I have had steel, lugged frames sprayed I always discuss the thickness of the finished paint. I have seen many frames ruined by thick paint. To my eye loosing the clean edges on a lug to what I call a ‘toffee apple’ paint job is a no-no regardless of budget - and I have seen this happen to frames from highly regarded sprayers too.

[alexnharvey]

If I were having a frame painted I would seriously consider having it electrophoresis deposition coated first. It is not very expensive compared to the overall cost and it provides the best possible protection for the frame. The problems are that not many places do it but I've spoken to one place, foleshill metal finishing who would do a bike. My project was just a beater so I ended up getting it powder coated instead.

[alan dun]

My current thinking is powder coating for this project. A vintage Orbit.
Ellis Briggs quoted around £300, for a quality spray job, which isn't bad looking at their work..
Powder coating comes in much cheaper, though limitations are single colour, and no decals, so not so exciting, but a third of the cost.
There seems to be enormous quality variations, but some claim to do bike frames sympathetically.
If I can find a local powder coaters, Bath, Bristol area, I'll go and have a chat.
Thanks for the tips and info...

[PH]

Powder coating comes in much cheaper, though limitations are single colour, and no decals, so not so exciting, but a third of the cost.
There seems to be enormous quality variations, but some claim to do bike frames sympathetically.

If you follow the link I posted earlier, you’ll see that more than a single colour is possible and some of the finishes are certainly exciting!

[tatanab]

If I can find a local powder coaters, Bath, Bristol area, I'll go and have a chat

Many years ago, early 1980s, a number of us had frames resprayed at ABC Enamellers. Now in Nailsea. https://abcenamelling.co.uk/
I believe Reality in Kingswood also do some fancy work http://www.realitymotorworks.co.uk/

It is worth looking at places like those above that do motorcycle frames etc rather than the more "industrial" type that are more familiar with farm gates.

[PhilD28]

Two highly-regarded firms in West Yorkshire are Ellis Briggs in Shipley and Woodrup's in Leeds.

https://www.ellisbriggscycles.co.uk/resprays/

https://www.woodrupcycles.com/renovations/

Both show their respray pricelist although EB's is a download. Jackson's have been closing down/ staying open so much it's hard to keep up but I think they are now shut. In the past, there were various myths and rumours about who did the actual enamelling, but who knows?

If you aren't handy for W Yorks then there's carriage on top. Worth it? A personal decision.

Woodrup sub contract all their re sprays, sometimes they use EB.