I can't answer that as I never use powder coat. Just 2 pk or single pack paint. I've had two WD bikes pass through my hands that were both fully powder coated and I don't like the way it chips off when you undo nuts and bolts. Seems to defeat the object to my mind Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Hi Wade,

400 fahrenheit or even Celsius wont anneal your springs.

Powder coating is baked at a lower temperature than that...approx. 200 degrees C...So no problems with springs...

After coating, the surface should be well abraded before spraying to ensure the subsequent coats adhere...I built one of the bikes (at least) that Ron is referring to and it took me a while to realise that fact...

As regards protecting the base metal, which is the primary purpose of paint the powder coat exceeds the performance of sprayed finishes IMO and is therefore a good 'basecoat'

I have them done now with a high zinc powder coated primer coat......Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Thanks for the feedback, Matty, Ian and Ron. I've already painted these parts once but very displeased with the result. The paint was thin in some places so I had to go back over them. The paint I used had to be mixed with a hardening and flattening agent in proper proportions. Trying to match the sheen turned out to be awkward. Also did not appreciate what happened to the wheel rims when fitting the tyres. I Must devise a better method of mounting that does not marr the paint finish. Trying to touch up these areas with the tyres on sent me over the edge. Just a few more hours now and I'll be finished blasting the entire bike. So many pieces!

email (option): Iron_ariel@yahoo.ca

I fit all my own tyres and often the modern ones can almost be just trodden on with minimum use of tyre levers. But I have used pieces of thin plastic (milk bottles) to protect the rim against tyre levers. But even so the inevitable scratch can happen. In which case I just flatten the small area with some fine W&D and touch it in with a chisel shaped artist brush. Matt or eggshell paint is very forgiving. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Having a tube in the rim complicates fitting. A tubeless tyre can easily be fitted to avoid modern rim damage by using zip ties. The ties are placed every 6 inches or so around the circumference of the tyre and pulled tight. This has the effect of increasing the tyre I side diameter allowing it to quite easily slip over the rims in one go. The ties are then cut and pulled out. This is demonstrated on YouTube. Wade

email (option): Iron_ariel@yahoo.ca

I've never had to fit a tubeless motorcycle tyre. But I have seen that trick with cable ties. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I used plastic rim protectors on the wheels and I haven't chipped the paint once, so definitely worth getting.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=251990533662&_sacat=0

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Oh, one thing to do if you do buy these rim protectors, you'll need to soak them in boiling water so they soften up enough to go on the rim. Put them on and let them cool down, otherwise they're very tight to get on.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks Horror. Off to the eBay store to get a set. Cheers. Wade

email (option): Iron_ariel@yahoo.ca