Paint or Powder Coat ? Harley Sportster & Buell Discuss Paint or Powder Coat ? in the Motorcycles forums; I am reworking my old Iron Head . I have to rebuild the engine and while the bike is down I am planning on reworking the frame as well . ...

[74hdironhead]

I am reworking my old Iron Head . I have to rebuild the engine and while the bike is down I am planning on reworking the frame as well . I would like some informed input on whether to Paint the frame or Powder Coat it . Some advice so far has been that Powder Coating is more durable than painting but that Paint will match the new graphics on the tins when they get finished . Thanks in advance for any help .

They should be able to get the color of the powder Coat to match pretty close to the painted pieces.

[soulman13]

If you want something that looks custom, go powder coat. If you want the retro stock look, go paint. If you have it painted and want it to look original use an acrylic enamel, let it sit for about four hours, then bake it for about four hours at 250 F. After baking it will have original quality gloss and be durable. It will not be as hard as powder but it is pretty hard. The baking cross links the chemistry and makes it really nice. I did this to my 76 CH and it still looked new after 2 years of riding and drag racing (on a track).

[74hdironhead]

Seems to be what I hear the most . Some good advice but no real strong reason for one or the other . Most people I know state some favoring one way or another without it being a strong ome . Thanks for the advice .