Blue Ridge Industrial Coatings - Powder Coating : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

BlueRidgeIC.com · 02-27-2007, 12:17 AM

My interest is building and powdercoating motorcycle wire wheels and coating other motorcycle parts. I especially like custom applications and am always working on custom applications for derby covers and primary covers. I have a full working shop with the ability to media blast and coat almost any item.
I've tinkered with motorcycles for over 35 years and am always working on Harley items. Look at my website at samples of my work. I plan to update the site on occasion with new ideas for custom coating. Thanks

Frank Long

www.blueridgeic.com

Springer 07 · 09-11-2007, 10:21 AM

Frank,

I'm interested in getting my wire wheels powder coated for my 07 H.D. springer classic.
I have two concerns.
1. oven tempature distortion of the wire assembly.
2. cracking or chipping of coating if and when spoke adjustment becomes necessary.
Do you remove all of the wires prior to coating and then re-lace afterwards?
Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rod

crazytrain · 11-01-2007, 08:04 PM

i want to have to triple tree's and my lower legs powder coated wrinkle black to match the theme of my night train. do most powder coating shops do wrinkle finish or how do i go about getting that done?

BlueRidgeIC.com · 11-04-2007, 08:36 PM

Sorry Guys, I'm late with the information.

Springer:

Wire wheels are completely disassembled, coated then relaced. In Twin Cams with sealed bearings, the bearings should be removed and replaced with new ones after the hub is coated. You should also relace with new spokes and nipples if the wheel has been used. Although powdercoating is very hard and tenacious, it can chip and scratch but lacing doesn't usually cause any problems in the finish. The heat doesn't seem to distort the rim.

CrazyTrain:

I use a wrinkle black I got from Columbia coatings and it is essentially the same as HD used on their Nightrain which in the model I have. I have coated a few items for my Nightrain using this wrinkle black and it looks OEM. From what I've heard, many busy shops are making their money from industries that have a large volume of items to be coated and often seem unwilling to perform custom, small item work. Small item work is all I do.

Thanks

Frank

crazytrain · 11-05-2007, 11:41 AM

ok that sounds like excatly what i want, it will be a few months before i get back to NC but ill deffinently look you up when i get there. i tried to look you up on mapquest and there was 6 different town named concord, which county are you in?

BlueRidgeIC.com · 11-06-2007, 11:28 PM

I'm in Cabarrus County, NC. My shop is in Virginia however.

Frank

route66paul · 11-07-2007, 12:10 PM

Can you do a clear coat? This could look interesting over a polished frame.

BlueRidgeIC.com · 11-07-2007, 08:18 PM

Route66paul

Yes, clearcoat over aluminum can be done. I've done one set of polished cast aluminum wheels.

Frank

swmnkdinthervr · 11-10-2007, 06:13 AM

I have some parts that I'd like to coat but they aren't on your price list...there are of course several powder coat applicators in my area, (you're not far down the road either) some are good but expensive some are hit and miss and about average in price and some I wouldn't want coating my garbage can...I do like supporting the forum vendors but my choice is driven by what I can afford...can you give me a ball park on the parts below?

(1) springer handlebar

(1) primary cover minus the derby and inspection covers

(1) cam chest cover minus the points cover

(1) 5 1/2" headlight bucket minus the retainer ring

(2) fender struts

None of these parts are prepped for finishing but are in excellent shape (they are for the bike below)

BlueRidgeIC.com · 11-11-2007, 09:45 PM

For the items mentioned, assuming no paint or powdercoating needs to be removed: $250.00.

I mask over the inner portions of both covers and mask the gasket surfaces of plates as well as plug holes.

Thanks,

Frank

DEVILDOG · 11-21-2007, 09:19 AM

Frank,

Do you powder coat tins? Looking at one fender and a fuel tank.

What materials can be powder coated? Can fiberglass be coated?

Also, where in Va is your shop located? I'm in the SW corner and may drop down to take a look see.

Thanks

BlueRidgeIC.com · 11-23-2007, 06:27 PM

One can powdercoat sheet metal but I don't recommend it with one exception. Powder has a tendency to orange peel and unlike paint, is difficult to sand and buff out. The only exception I can think of is -if you are using a "metal grind" effect where the bare metal is coated with either clear or a candy color after it has been ground with a grinder - this shows the grind marks through the clear or candy powder. Then, since powder is a good primer, you paint the sheet metal, after masking off the area of "metal grind" you want to show. You can then clear coat the entire piece. Harley did metal grind a few years ago but it sounds like they used paint and people were compaining about chips down to the metal. This is less likely to happen using powder as it is so durable and chip resistant.

Metal items can be powdercoated (and some medium density fiberboard) but the standard item must be conductive and able to withstand the oven temperatures of about 400 degrees F used to cure the powder. This eliminates fiberglass.

My shop is in Galax Virginia and is run parttime when work permits.

Frank

DEVILDOG · 11-25-2007, 10:01 AM

Galax, you are very close to me!!! I am going to start thinking about some ideals and will see what you think.

Thanks,

swmnkdinthervr · 11-25-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueRidgeIC.com

My shop is in Galax Virginia and is run parttime when work permits.

Frank

Good to know...I'm down that way all the time for work, there are several of us up here in the DC metro area looking for a top notch powder coater...the workmanship around here is mediocre at best...