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coastal or wet climate riders. ✔ Brake Calipers DIY or Pro Job?
3. UV and Fade Resistance While there are DIY kits available,
Many powder 6. Easy to Clean, Hard to Kill powder coating requires a curing
formulations—especially polyester- Powder-coated parts are non-porous oven and proper safety protocols.
based—include UV inhibitors, and smooth—grime and grease For motorcycle parts—especially
which means your parts won't fade slide off with basic soap and water. load-bearing ones—professional
in the harsh South African sun. No waxing or polishing needed. coating is strongly recommended.
Great news for guys running candy
finishes or custom neons. They're also resistant to chemicals, What to Ask Your Powder Coater
including oil, fuel, brake fluid, and
chain lube. That's a big deal for ✅ What pre-treatment do you use?
4. Better for the Planet garage tinkerers and long-distance ✅ Do you sandblast or chemical
Powder coating is solvent-free and tourers alike. dip?
emits virtually no VOCs (Volatile ✅ Can you coat over welds or filled
Organic Compounds). It also 7. Long-Term Value areas?
reduces waste since unused powder ✅ Do you use UV-stable powders?
can be reclaimed and reused. While the upfront cost might seem ✅ Can you do high-temp or multi-
“It's one of the most steep (R1500–R2500 for a layer coats?
environmentally responsible motorcycle frame), powder coating
finishes available.” lasts over a decade, even in harsh
— South African Coating conditions.Finish TypeLife Is It Worth It?
Federation ExpectancyAvg. Cost (SA)Rattle-
can Paint1–2 If you ride hard, restore classics, or
yearsR400–R800Powder want your custom build to turn
5. Custom Looks for Any Coating10+ heads and last, the answer is a
Build yearsR1500–R2500Factor in the resounding yes. Powder coating
cost of multiple resprays, and isn't just about looking good—it's
Wrinkle black. Matte white. Gloss about protecting your bike from the
red. Chrome-like silver. Candy teal. powder coating often wins. elements and reducing long-term
Textured bronze. The finish options headaches.
with powder are endless. Builders 8. Heat Resistance for Engine
can achieve: & Exhaust Parts
Final Thoughts
· Metallic sheens High-temp powder coatings can
· Two-tone layers handle up to 1000°F At LHR Motorcycle Magazine, we
(537°C)—ideal for headers, engine believe bikes should be built to last
· Transparent candy coats and look great doing it. Powder
cases, and heat shields. They don't
· Rugged textures for off-road discolor or bubble like traditional coating ticks both boxes. Whether
builds paints when things heat up. you're transforming a barn-find into
a street beast or simply upgrading
No brush strokes. No orange peel. Potential Drawbacks to Note your daily ride, this finishing
Just consistent, flawless coverage.
Powder coating isn't perfect. Here method offers unrivalled strength,
are a few things to consider: shine, and style.
Popular Motorcycle Parts to
· Heat Sensitivity: Any part Ride longer. Shine harder. Powder
Powder Coat
with rubber, electronics, or coat smarter.
✔ Frames plastic must be For more information:
✔ Wheels disassembled. Visit www.bspc.co.za or speak to
✔ Swingarms · Harder to Repair: your local motorcycle restoration
✔ Crash Bars Damaged areas can't be shop about powder coat services
touched up like near you. LHR
✔ Subframes
paint—recoating may be
✔ Engine Covers
required.
✔ Exhaust Shields (with high-temp
· Exact Color Matching:
powder)
Matching a previously
✔ Foot Pegs & Rearsets
coated part can be tricky
✔ Handlebars
across batches.
