Powdercoat vs. paint

[KJWaters217]

I just want to clear this up because people keep telling me otherwise...I want the most durable and longest lasting finish on my metal parts...I always thought powdercoating is the way to go but I keep hearing that it chips easy and is hard to repair small chips...the only way I can see it being less durable then paint is if they didn't do very good prep work or apply the powdercoat correctly...does this sound about right or am I mistaken? How long has your powdercoating held up to different riding conditions?

[ban99]

Powdercoat is by far the best way to go for durability. I'm going on three years since i did my frame with not so much as a scratch (mostly sand riding). You are correct as far as the prep goes, bad prep = bad job but that is true for most everything.

[Building my First]

I don't think there is too many dunes in Illinois, so I guess you're mainly trail ridding. When your talking about the frame and your not running a skid plate, Powder for sand/show, Paint for trail. You could powder everything that doesn't get rocks flying at it. For me the frame gets paint, powder chips way too easy when a stone hits it at 60 mph or you scrape frame from hitting some rutted hill climbs.

[KJWaters217]

Yeah I mainly ride trails and woods and will only see sand on special trips. I guess an advantage to the paint would be that I can do all the work myself and can just mix up extra for touching up as I get chips in it.