cerakote vs powder coating

[fletche36]

Gents, has anyone had their lc casings cerakoted? its supposed to be stronger and harder wearing than powder coating and ( obviously) paint. If the finish can be as good or better than paint i would be prepared to have it done and if not i would go down the route of cerakoting the spare barrels i have and having the casings powder coated. What are peoples thoughts? i have had good results with rattle cans but im after going up to the next level ( if indeed it is). 

[dusty350]

Powdercoat isn't petrol safe, so any spills of fuel will dull a powdercoated finish, and possibly even strip it. I've never thought powdercoating a top crankcase is the best idea because of that - far better using a petrol resistant paint. Side cases are less likely to suffer fuel damage though, so I've always had mine powdered, with excellent results.
Cerakote is a great finish for bike parts. Fuel, oil and brake fluid resistant, and heat resistance is amazing - like Formula 1 manifold heat resistant. But it is a thin coating, so wont hide imperfections like a thicker powdercoat would - all depends on what you want to coat if that is an issue. Any finish depends on prep of course. There are lots of colours now available with Cerakote - it was quite limited initially, and it's not as cheap as powder. Dont get me wrong - I like powdercoat and have had a LOT of parts powdered over the years, but Cerakote will definitely have a place on future bike builds. Powder is great as long as the guy applying it knows what he's doing and takes a pride in his work. It doesn't have to be too thick, and all the parts I've had done are very resistant to wear and chipping, in spite of what you hear. And because of how it's applied, it will coat "hard to reach" parts on a bike where paint wouldn't get.
The fella I use has just Cerakoted a motorcross exhaust in a silver, and then went over the welds with his welding torch to bring out the welded joints colour. I will see if I can get a pic.

Dusty

[mouse]

I had my barrels and head cerakoted (sorry not engine cases) and i cannot fault the finish, looks as good as paint, but heat and fuel resistant. If i were to do cases, cerakote would be my choice.

Mouse

[dusty350]

I read it wrong ! I think he cleaned up the exhaust - probably vapour blasted it, then "torched" the welds, and then Cerakoted a clear coat over the top - my apologies !
Anyway;

271198508_3097947980494567_8117408718370582223_n by dusty miller, on Flickr

271229090_3097947973827901_486925876063693312_n by dusty miller, on Flickr

271234808_3097947983827900_3723768108954930977_n by dusty miller, on Flickr

The other bonus with Cerakote is you can use it on plastic parts. It's flexibe, and you use an "air dry" version, so no oven cure needed.

269692355_3086344131654952_3895082882510555016_n by dusty miller, on Flickr

I've seen some Motox parts he has sand blasted, then Cerakoted, and they end up looking like "factory" sand cast cases, thanks to the thin coating.

Dusty

[fletche36]

Cheers guys, that PC pipe looks absolutely stunning and i guess it will stay like that until it gets a bit of motocross action. i wasnt aware that petrol dulls powder coat so ill bear that in mind and im feeling that a full cerakoting job is in the pipeline. i guess a lot depends upon the pride and workmanship of the craftsman so ill do a bit of "due dilligence" before i get the work done. That goldy titanium colour looks great and im wondering what i could have done that colour. maybe brake calipers?

[geoffers997]

I got my exhausts done with Cerakote last year - still really pleased with them and would echo all the previous comments.

Shop around as to where you go though as prices seem to vary wildly.

Dusty put me onto the chap I went to. He did a brilliant job for a very reasonable price.

[midlifecrisisrd]

I've been looking at buying the air dry stuff and applying it myself

Small spray gun with .8mm nozzle

Clean the gun with acetone after, fully cured in a week

You don't even get half a litre for near £70 mind but as its thin it should go far

Steve

[jam911]

The Cerakoted parts look great I must say.

[mannanan]

I have to say I have not had anything done in cerakote yet but I have been looking at all feedback. I really think it’s going to be the way forward for future coatings and I would have no hesitation in going down that road for my own purposes. Not yet seen any negative reports so I think it would be my preferred option.

[shandyboy]

I use base coat and 2K clear coat comes out as I like them shinny and petrol proof
20210325_194758 by alan foster, on Flickr

[shandyboy]

Will try with Cerakote on my Hybrid build and post the results

Dusty you might remember the bike photo Buddy

[dusty350]

Hi Al
Yea, that looks familiar !! Hope you are still enjoying her
The small bottles of Cerakote are very expensive, especially compared to a box of powder. Jamie - the fella I use - has to import it from the US, so added costs. He is an ex MotoXer, and a lot of his customers are MotoX guys who seem to love getting parts Cerakoted, so if it's good on a dirt bike, it will be great on a road bike. Regards aircooled barrels and heads, lots has been said against powdercoating them as it can increase heat retention due to it's thicker layer, so Cerakote was a great media to use on my 400 barrels and heads;

20200525_152823 by dusty miller, on Flickr

And Steve, there is a guy on Facebook that has been Cerakoting parts at home and curing them in a household oven. The results look great, so it can be achieved at home

Dusty

[shandyboy]

Dusty that does look nice think you can get a version of it which does not need a oven bake goes off in at air temperature ? not sure how true that is but looking into in now as i will be trying it out

With regards to the bike yes loving it mate thanks again happy days only thing i have changed are the bars and painted that casing looking for a gilly seat

Alan

[midlifecrisisrd]

Jan 7, 2022 11:15:14 GMT 1 shandyboy said:

Dusty that does look nice think you can get a version of it which does not need a oven bake goes off in at air temperature ? not sure how true that is but looking into in now as i will be trying it out

With regards to the bike yes loving it mate thanks again happy days only thing i have changed are the bars and painted that casing looking for a gilly seat

Alan

Cerakote C series is air dry and 425 degrees C

Steve

[Gunny]

Jan 6, 2022 22:35:46 GMT 1 midlifecrisisrd said:

I've been looking at buying the air dry stuff and applying it myself

Small spray gun with .8mm nozzle

Clean the gun with acetone after, fully cured in a week

You don't even get half a litre for near £70 mind but as its thin it should go far

Steve

Get it bought

[robw]

I have had two gpz engines ceramic coated and they look really good. The coating is hard wearing and copes with spills. I also got my exhausts done and they still look good even after a few years.
Originally one of the engines was powder coated and after time it started to come away from the casing, this could be down to poor preparation or contamination, although the other parts that I got done are still good today. So it was stripped and ceramic coated.
My ceracoating was done by Aerocoats, who are near Great Yarmouth, excellent company and quick turn around.
Stay clear of Flying Tiger in Bury St Edmunds as he takes months to do it, is generally uncontactable and is a w###nker.

[sidney81]

Jan 7, 2022 12:41:32 GMT 1 robw said:

I have had two gpz engines ceramic coated and they look really good. The coating is hard wearing and copes with spills. I also got my exhausts done and they still look good even after a few years.
Originally one of the engines was powder coated and after time it started to come away from the casing, this could be down to poor preparation or contamination, although the other parts that I got done are still good today. So it was stripped and ceramic coated.
My ceracoating was done by Aerocoats, who are near Great Yarmouth, excellent company and quick turn around.
Stay clear of Flying Tiger in Bury St Edmunds as he takes months to do it, is generally uncontactable and is a w###nker.

aerocoat done my tzr pipes ,look fantastic!

[fletche36]

well, after doing a little prep work today i find that there has been a liquid metal repair on the clutch casing ( i think it was just a small crack and was hidden under the paint). its a decent repair job but its going to be powder coated or painted rather than cerakote as its going to need to be a bit thicker. ill post some before and after pics when i have done more prep work. the barrels were already down to bare alloy so they should be easy to coat.

[gazzatt2]

Jan 7, 2022 12:41:32 GMT 1 robw said:

I have had two gpz engines ceramic coated and they look really good. The coating is hard wearing and copes with spills. I also got my exhausts done and they still look good even after a few years.
Originally one of the engines was powder coated and after time it started to come away from the casing, this could be down to poor preparation or contamination, although the other parts that I got done are still good today. So it was stripped and ceramic coated.
My ceracoating was done by Aerocoats, who are near Great Yarmouth, excellent company and quick turn around.
Stay clear of Flying Tiger in Bury St Edmunds as he takes months to do it, is generally uncontactable and is a w###nker.

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