| Author | Message | ||
     Indy_bueller |
I've got a white 2003 Firebolt. The look I want to go for is all white and chrome, with a splash of the original orange for color. I've ruled out polishing the frame, but I still need to get rid of that silver color, so I'm thinking about either painting it or powdercoating it. What do you guys think? I'm also not sure what to do about the black pieces on the engine and the black plastic parts. Any suggestions? Is anyone out there good enough with Photoshop to change the color of the frame and swingarm in a picture so we could see what it would look like? Here are some pics I dug up that are good candidates for photoshopping, take your pick.    | ||
| Wahmbush |
If you have the time to break down the bike and the money to do it....go for powder coat. It lasts longer and imho it looks better. If time and not having a bike are an issue, mask it off and spray it  | ||
| 99buellx1 |
There is a lining in the frame that is likely to be damaged from the heat required by powdercoating. I would have it painted. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
It's that liner that I'm concerned about, otherwise I probably never would have posed the question. | ||
| Snakedriver |
What are you going to do with you wheels? Leo | ||
| Pwnzor |
as for photoshopping, you say you want white and chrome... where do you want the white and chrome? | ||
| Skyguy |
Paint it, Easier to fix in the event of a scratch. Easier to repaint when it fades. It is all in the prep work with paint though. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
If the lining would be destroyed by powder coating, how did they powder coat it in the first place?? | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I have a set of wheels that I had powdercoated white. I plan on painting/powdercoating or dying anything that is silver or black and making it white. As for chrome, basically all the parts available from Buell that are polished or chrome except the swingarm brace, which will be white. That would make it the passenger and rider heelguards and footpeg mounts, and the belt guards. I'm putting on an 04-up sprocket and belt, using the "Diamond Highlighted" sprocket. If the lining would be destroyed by powder coating, how did they powder coat it in the first place?? Thats what I would like to know. (Message edited by indy_bueller on June 20, 2006) | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I'm also leaving the orange lettering intact, and maybe adding an orange racing stripe. I've got a Micron exhaust, and I'm going to have the header jet-hot coated silver. (Message edited by indy_bueller on June 20, 2006) | ||
| Pcmodeler |
Indy, did you see this one?  | ||
| Indy_bueller |
No, I haven't seen that one before, but thats really close to what I want to do. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
I painted my frame and swingarm with semi-gloss engine block paint since the oil circulates back through the swingarm. If you paint be sure that you use a paint that can handle the oil temp and the temp of the engine. If you have the time you should powdercoat. My paint looks good, but there is some fading and it has probably been on there for about 1 year and 6,000 miles. Powdercoating is not expensive as stated above either as long as you don't count your time in to it. Once everything is pulled apart and delivered to the powdercoater it shouldn't be over $200 for him to get it looking just the way you want. Some of my friends had their wheels, S seat frame, passenger hangers, kick plates and levers powdercoated for bout $100 just to give you a pricing idea. Also from what I've heard about the rubber inside the frame it doesn't really do much anyway. I wouldn't worry about it, but that is just me. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
Check my profile for a pic of what mine looks like with the black frame. Here are some pics and a thread from when I did mine. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/126854.html?1147981574 (Message edited by Olinxb12r on June 20, 2006) | ||
| Skyguy |
I have a lot of powder coating on my Pinzie and it will fade as well. (I am buffing and polishing this week). There are a few spots that have been scratched due to offroad use and unless I want to re-powder coat it I have to live with them. I think paint is easier to deal with. And you can add a UV clear coat to help with longevity | ||
| Glitch |
If the lining would be destroyed by powder coating, how did they powder coat it in the first place?? It was powder coated in the first place. The lining was added in the second place. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Thanks Glitch. Now that you say it, it seems pretty obvious.  PC Where did you get that picture? | ||
| Pcmodeler |
It was posted in the pics section a few days ago. Not sure who's bike it is. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
It's a Trojan project. | ||
| M1combat |
That's a trojan bike as I recall... | ||
| Dmextreme |
i am jealous of trojan.. i wish I had their loot and power. bah.. all the over seas people have all the fun. Sigh.. and the best lookin bikes.. rear sets.. all the goodie gadgets.. lol.. *drools* lol (Message edited by dmextreme on June 20, 2006) | ||
| Teddagreek |
Powder Coating is way more tougher than paint..... You can get different tectures and veins of colors.. I did my frame on my convertible last year... I've seen Seen Entire Race Cars and Cages... | ||
| Diablobrian |
there are several different kinds of powder coating and some are more uv resistant than others, but there are trade-offs in wear/durability involved. The powder coating shop of your choice should be able to help you choose the one that's right for you. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Yeah....still the big question remains. Will the liner in the tank stand up to the heat of powdercoating? Seems like no one has ever done it so no one knows for sure. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I'm taking a bunch of stuff for powder coating tomorrow, but the frame isn't one of them......hehehehe....it's secret..... |
