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LHR MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE
Tough as Powder, Sharp as Steel
Why Powder Coating Motorcycle Parts Is More Than Just a Pretty Finish
By Ian van der Merwe | LHR
Motorcycle Magazine
Paint fades. Chrome pits. But
powder coating? That stuff lasts.
Whether you're building from the
ground up, restoring an old classic,
or customizing your ride with
purpose, powder coating offers the
kind of finish that stands up to grit,
weather, and time. In this feature,
we dive into why more South
African builders and riders are
turning to powder coating—and
how it delivers both form and
function for motorcycle parts across
the board.
What Is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a dry finishing
process developed in the 1960s.
Unlike paint, which uses solvents to
suspend pigment, powder coating
involves spraying electrostatically
charged powder onto grounded
metal surfaces. Once applied, the
part is baked in a curing oven,
where the powder melts and forms a
rock-hard, smooth finish.
REVIEW
When it comes to motorcycle performance, one of the most
vital yet often overlooked components is the spark
plug. These small but crucial parts help ignite the air-fuel
mixture in your engine and play a massive role in
ensuring efficient performance, fuel economy, and smooth
operation. The quality of the spark plugs you use can
make a significant difference in engine reliability and longevity.
In South Africa, a wide variety of spark plug brands are
available, each offering unique features suited to
different types of motorcycles and riding conditions. In this
article, we will rank the major spark plug brands
commonly available in South Africa for motorcycles, from the
worst to the best, based on factors like performance, durability,
heat tolerance, fuel efficiency, and overall reliability.
It's used on everything from alloy Why It's Ideal for
wheels and engine covers to Motorcycles
swingarms and subframes.
Let's be honest—motorcycles take a
beating. Road debris, rain, sun, and
How the Process Works oil splashes are daily fare. Powder
coating was practically made for
1. Strip & Prep
Every part must be stripped of this world. Here's why:
paint, rust, grease, and 1. Unbeatable Durability
contaminants—usually via “Powder coating is up to 10x
sandblasting. more resistant to chipping and
2. Pre-Treatment scratching than liquid paint.”
A chemical or phosphate wash may — The Powder Coating Institute
be applied to improve bonding. Bikes endure everything from
3. Powder Application gravel chips to boot scuffs. Powder-
A technician uses an electrostatic coated parts hold up better, stay
gun to spray the charged powder intact longer, and don't flake at the
onto the grounded part. first sign of trouble. ADV and off-
road riders especially benefit from
4. Baking this.
The part is baked at around
180–200°C until the powder melts
and chemically bonds into a smooth 2. Total Corrosion Resistance
shell. Powder coating offers excellent
5. Cooling & Quality Check protection against moisture, rust,
After cooling, the part is inspected and road salt. When properly pre-
for coverage, gloss consistency, and treated, parts can endure over 1000
texture. hours of salt spray exposure
(ASTM B117 testing)—perfect for