To Stove or paint?

[coldsummer]

I've noticed that there seems to be some dispute over the merits of stove enamelling, esp on frames compared to painting. Can anyone tell me why? Is it the heating process involved in stoving or something else?

Also what about wheels. I always understood that Stove enamelling is the preferred method as it provides a more robust finish than paint.

I'd appreciate any advice (frame and wheels especially) as I'm planning to do a resto at some point and want to make the right choice.

Thanks guys!

PS added a poll for fun

[Steve R]

When you say stove enamalling, do you mean powder coating?

Powder coating is thicker and not the original finish so if its a standard resto go with paint.

Powder coating is tougher if you hit it, but can flake off when say a bolt is tightened up to it. Cos its thicker its not so easy to touch in any damage as paint is.

I think the main objection is it does not look original. I have a very non original Z1a so I have the frame powder coated, but the lester alloys are painted as they are part polished and Andy at triple s does not powder coat wheels with an edge to a polished section as the edge of the finish would not last.

[mikey]

Had my Z1000 frame powder coated 3 years ago still just as good, i know its not original but my Z1000 is a million miles from original.

And its been in a crash and written off in that time.

[coldsummer]

When you say stove enamalling, do you mean powder coating?

Yep, sorry brain freeze,

[GEZ635]

Paint,looks like it should and always easy to touch up should you scratch it, plus it will last for years if you do it well.

[GUYZED]

I had my frame enameled (not powder coated) two years ago and it still looks brilliant.

[Ginger Bear]

Powdercoating for me...... But I don't count rivett's!

[MaineKZ]

Put it this way, if you're restoring a kitchen drying rack then it's gotta be powder coat all the way.
But if you're lucky enough to own a 30+ year old classic Kawa - DO THE WORLD A FAVOUR AND PAINT IT!

The most robust paint finish, which replicates the look of the original factory cellulose whilst providing modern levels of durability, is the 2 pack finish as supplied by Doug Cox at RD Cox, Reading. It's excellent for both frames and cast wheels.

If you fancy a spot of DIY spraying, I've just used Frosts Extreme Chassis Black in aerosols on my '73 resto. It's a close second to 2-pack and obviously more economical.

[BShaw]

I did an old bike with Hamerite smooth and it was great...lasted till I sold it for a good few yrs, I painted calipers with it as well and they stayed good...

[Steve Cooke]

Stove Enamelling and Powder Coating are different.

[zeroed]

took a frame to be blasted and powder coated, was in a state of shock when i picked it up, looked like they`d used 5mm ball bearings.
"I coated it twice for you" bloke said when he saw my face.
Couldn`t be bothered to argue, it was only for a CB900 afterall

i tend to paint now

[irhobotolo]

If its a valuable original bike then paint, If its non standard or a bike "to ride" then powder coat. I have had good results with black gloss Hamerite but as with any type of finish the key to everything lies with the preparation.