Powdercoat thoughts

[oldbritguy]

Hi All
I am getting a frame ready for Powdercoat and seeking your thoughts on protecting threaded parts on the frame
There are lots of threaded bosses and captive nuts which I am thinking of fitting bolts into before getting coated
Will save a bit of cleaning with taps but which will give a better finish?
Not an LC frame but older jap 4 with metric fine threads 6, 8 and 10mm threads.
John🙂

[midlifecrisisrd]

Hi

I always blank them

I don't believe in running a tap through a thread unless there is a problem, the will always remove a small amount of meat

Steve

[oldbritguy]

Cheers Steve
That was my train of thought
Dropping off at P&J on Monday

John

[midlifecrisisrd]

Usually cheaper when you blank it as well 😉

I was in a couple of months ago with a couple of brackets. Went to collect them and asked Susan how much I owed, don't worry about it was the answer 🤫

Unlike ESP who pulled my pants down ☹️

Steve

[dusty350]

I always put bolts in all the threadways, but be sure to keep all bolts flush with the back of the fixing and not protruding through. Once coated you will have a hell of a job getting a partly coated bolt back out !
Jamie just did a load of parts for me, and I put old bolts in every thread. He removed them to blast the frame as he wants to ensure the threads have no corrosion in them. He then powdercoats with the bolts back in, and will run a tap through any thread he think needs it. He also masks off the frame number and lacquers it so it wont rust. The frame number couldn't be read if he hadn't done that. Time consuming but worth the effort I think

Dusty

[midlifecrisisrd]

Before I fit the bolts I put them on a steel block and then (depending on how thick the captive bolt it goes in) take a hammer and cold chisel and deform the thread to stop it going further in and as jt nips up they won't undo and fall out

The frame number masking is a good idea, you've got a good one there 👍

Steve

[dusty350]

The numbers are quite shallow, and the powder would easily hide them making it impossible to read. He tends to do it on all the frames he does. Clear coating the bare metal is a nice touch too. You could cut some black tape to cover it over if needed, but I'm happy to leave "as is".

[donkeychomp]

The frame number has to be visible nowadays. As Jamie pointed out last year when he did my frame. Can't fault his work.

Alex

[oldbritguy]

Thanks guys
All sound advice. All the bolts being used as plugs are just to the full depth of the captive nuts now. Never considered the problem of removing a part coated bolt so cheers Dusty.
Already got the number masked off and I’ll paint it once the coating is done.
I have always had frames painted so just checking with the knowledge before diving in.
Top team
John 😎