I have an older P3, one of the first ones made with the flat charcoal black paint. There are a good deal of chips and scratches so it is time to get it refinished. I am considering having it powder coated for a number of reasons including cost (free) and durability. Anyone ever have their bike powder coated? IF so what things should I worry about and watch for as far as prep goes.
While we’re at it how about color suggestions, I am pretty wide open. But considering going with a Glossy Black, to keep it the same color as it currently is- not a lock though.
Yep, just got my 2003 Cervelo Soloist back from Spectrum Powder Works a couple of weeks ago. I really wanted a Soloist, but didn’t like the blue panels on the black gloss for 2003. Also I commute to work and powder coating is a lot more durable than paint. I was looking for a simple paint scheme as well.
My color of choice was a gloss black base for the entire frame, white Cervelo decals and a clear powder coat over everything. Spectrum recreated the Cervelo decals that could with stand the temperatures of the powder coating process. Once the frame was powder coated gloss black and the decals were applies they covered the entire bike in clear powder (similar to a clear coat on a painted bike).
It came back to me within 3 weeks, and really looks sharp. I just built is up with a D.A/Ultegra 9 speed mix that I had from my old road bike, Velomax Circut wheels, Columbus Muscle fork, and ITM stem and bars. Add to that the carbon seat post, black Vredestein (sp?) tires, and white bar tape.
I’m extremely pleased with the result, and the cost for the powder coating was about $260.00 including prep work and shipping. I would recommend powder coating and Spectrum… and no I’m not affiliated with Spectrum Powder Works. Here’s a link:
Ask if we can get a better price since he’s doing two at once, and dealing with the same decals.
Email me if you want and we can send our bikes in to arrive at the same time.
Thanks for the offer, but I think you missed a key word in my original post - FREE! I sell equipment to powder coaters and as result I can work some deals. I gave a guy a larger than normal discount which saved him a nice chunk of money- more than I would have paid to get a delux powder coat job. In return he is going to paint my bike this winter.
For prep I am worried about getting the paint in the threaded areas like the BB or cable routing. Also for those that had their bikes striped how were they striped? Chemicaly or Shot Blast? I am worried about shot blast due to the very thin walls of the frame.
For color I had a thought about going with the gloss black, but for the Cervelo logo leaving it plain Aluminum color (if it can be done) with Clear over every thing. Also possibly leaving the rear triangle Plain Al.
Thanks for the offer, but I think you missed a key word in my original post - FREE! I sell equipment to powder coaters and as result I can work some deals. I gave a guy a larger than normal discount which saved him a nice chunk of money- more than I would have paid to get a delux powder coat job. In return he is going to paint my bike this winter.
So you screwed the owner of the company you work for? You ROCK!
You might check for a local powder coater. I found one in my town. They had done a few bikes and I went out on a limb with them on my P3 in order to get rid of that battleship grey and save a few bucks. More colors than you could ever want. My company orders the stuff in stock and if I used some color they had it was a lot cheaper. I can not remember the name of the color I used. It was a metalic/iridescent black (imagine a gaudy bass boat). It changes colors and looks really cool. I think it cost me $150 bucks. My LBS charged more for their work. Only issue I had was the first flat. I could not get the wheel out. Filed down the inside of the dropouts and it is fine. If you do use someone that does not do a lot of bikes, need to make sure all of the ports, screw wholes, etc are plugged.
I had my steel Richey road bike powder coated at a local shop 2 years ago for $100 (frame & fork). This also included all stripping/prep work! I now want to do my P2k…I think the only potential concern is the temp’s involved in the coating process. I think it’s around 400F which could cause some problems with very thin aluminum tubing. Since others have had their Cervelo’s powder coated, it sounds like it’s not an issue. I’ll be calling my local (eastern Wisconsin) vendor shortly to confirm. Be sure to mask the BB threads, headset cups, and seat tube.