Refinishing steel frame/fork

[yeastor]

I'm considering refinishing a steel frame/fork to change the color of a bike. Current finish is powdercoat. Looking for the group's collective experience in 1) replacing the powdercoat with a different color powdercoat or 2) getting an Imron paint job over the powdercoat (? if that can be done). What are the considerations here? Differences in prep? Differences in finishes once done? Costs?

[dave thompson]

I'm considering refinishing a steel frame/fork to change the color of a bike. Current finish is powdercoat. Looking for the group's collective experience in 1) replacing the powdercoat with a different color powdercoat or 2) getting an Imron paint job over the powdercoat (? if that can be done). What are the considerations here? Differences in prep? Differences in finishes once done? Costs?
Powdercoat is good, wet paint is much better as regards to finish quality and what can be done.

In any case, the parts should be completely stripped to bare metal, the metal prepped and primed. Cost? Probably $250ish for a pretty good job, to around $500ish for a truly great job. Who? Joe Bell (he paints for Dave Kirk and Richard Sachs) is the name that springs to mind but there are others out there (who most likely will be mentioned here soon) that can also do wonderful work. To achieve the best work, be prepared to wait months to have the job done. The best painters are in high demand.