What would be better to do paint your frame or powdercoat it? I know that powdercoating is stronger than paint but on a restore would paint be better?
Senior Member
repainting a frame
What would be better to do paint your frame or powdercoat it? I know that powdercoating is stronger than paint but on a restore would paint be better?
Member since 1972
Paint it!!!
Senior Member
thats what i thought thanks
Curmudgeon
Although the club does allow powder coating, for whatever reason I can't imagine. Powder coating doesn't look anything like the original paint on a vintage machine.
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Senior Member
I absolutely agree! Motorcycles were painted.Originally Posted by Chris Haynes
Eric Smith
AMCA #886
Senior Member
1. did they originally use a primer on black painted parts.
2. Should we use a primer on a frame?
3.how are the neck cup area's addressed and prepped for paint? Should you mask off so paint doesn't get into the neck. Or perhaps install an old used set of cups?
AMCA 17499
47EL
Curmudgeon
Here you see how frames were painted in 1939. Notice they are still covered with residue from being brazed. I have been told by old timers that they paint they used was a primer-less Zinc Chromate paint. As you can see there was no masking of anything.
As far the post war '40's/'50's frames they were Bonderized before being painted. Bonderizing is a conveyor belt assembly line form of Parkerizing.
Last edited by Chris Haynes; 01-15-2011 at 10:08 PM.
Be sure to visit;
http://www.vintageamericanmotorcycles.com/main.php
Be sure to register at the site so you can see large images.
Also be sure to visit http://www.caimag.com/forum/
Senior Member
One again, I'm blown away by Chris' photo collection...... I use John Pierce from Pierce Color Write in New Hampshire (603) 942-5610. He's is, in my opinion, the first and last word on all Harley paint matters. He sells true color matches of all paint for most years as well as the corresponding primers. He also does sheet metal repairs and painting in house and does a truly excellent job. In fact, he's currently repairing a '47 knuckle front fender that I crashed last spring. This is THE top shelf guy (in my opinion).
Last edited by Bill Pedalino; 01-16-2011 at 07:06 AM.
Bill Pedalino
Huntington, New York
AMCA 6755
red dog
Has anyone else tried POR-15 black? primer-less, supposed to be pretty hard and durable. Very thin, some chase it with a brush.
Junior Member
Phil, have you tried it and how did it come out?
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