Rebuilding an 80s bianchi frame as a fixie, but first... new paint. Does anyone have a good recommendation for the most inexpensive refinishing? Powdercoating? Any good places in the N.Cal. area (especially around Sacramento)?

Rebuilding an 80s bianchi frame as a fixie, but first... new paint. Does anyone have a good recommendation for the most inexpensive refinishing? Powdercoating? Any good places in the N.Cal. area (especially around Sacramento)?

That will certainly be the least expensive route. Certainly not the most durable, but you can do a good job if you take your time and do it yourself.

The best price I found for powdercoating in Dallas/Ft Worth was around $125 to strip and coat a frame. Not a bad deal, but for a $35 frame, kind of pricey. You might call around to some car painting shops and see what they can do for you. If they have a little extra paint left over from a car paint, they may make you a deal on doing your bike.

There have also been several threads in the last 5-6 months on this subject. Do a search on refinishing or repainting and you'll get the hits.

Wow man, having done EXTENSIVE powder coating (2 beetle pans, 3 sets of porsche wheels, many motor parts etc) I can say anything over $100 for a bike frame is insane. The sanblasting is quick on the, steel is great as it does not really pit. My local guy does great work and is quite a bit cheaper. Keep in mind to thread in something to cover all threads, the PC will strip a bolt. There are tons of great coating colors as well, I had a set of wheels done in Silver Vein and it turned out amazing. Back to the original question, dig around for a local place to cut you a good deal. PC is a much better option, most PC guys also do Ceramic Coating, if I do a steel fixie I will probably do it in CC.

Kyle

Kyle-
Who is your "local guy"? Got contact info?

wsky]Rebuilding an 80s bianchi frame as a fixie, but first... new paint. Does anyone have a good recommendation for the most inexpensive refinishing? Powdercoating? Any good places in the N.Cal. area (especially around Sacramento)?[/QUOTE]

I heard the Brothers Sycip bought their powdercoating operations, but as far as I know, they still service the general public also.

Try www.dmfg.com

Have had 2 frames done there for just over $100 including the sandblasting.

Kyle-
Who is your "local guy"? Got contact info?

Yup, Guys name is John Slayton I will get a number tomorrow.

Kyle

Wow man, having done EXTENSIVE powder coating (2 beetle pans, 3 sets of porsche wheels, many motor parts etc) I can say anything over $100 for a bike frame is insane. The sanblasting is quick on the, steel is great as it does not really pit. My local guy does great work and is quite a bit cheaper. Keep in mind to thread in something to cover all threads, the PC will strip a bolt. There are tons of great coating colors as well, I had a set of wheels done in Silver Vein and it turned out amazing. Back to the original question, dig around for a local place to cut you a good deal. PC is a much better option, most PC guys also do Ceramic Coating, if I do a steel fixie I will probably do it in CC.

Kyle

How is CC different from PC?

How is CC different from PC?

It looks like brushed aluminum and is actually polishable.

Kyle

I had my Apollo frame and fork sand-blasted AND powercoated gloss black for $65AUD at A-1 Powdercoaters in Bayswater (Melbourne, Australia).

That's about $50 US!! Many other places in Melbourne wanted to charge that much (or more) for just the strip or just the powdercoat!

The coat is not as good as a pro paint coat but most auto-paint places wont do a bike
frame because it uses too much paint for such a tiny area. Flat car panels are more cost
effective they say. The finish is HEAPS better than I could have done myself too..

See 6 stages of the "Vegemite" build process here:
http://www.thehippy.net/gallery/

hippy