Help me decide on color for powder coating.

[Rafa]

I still own the bike my parents bought for me when I was in high school, a Raleigh Technium from the late 80’s, originally equipped with 105. A few years ago, I scoured eBay and was able to assemble a good working DA 7400 group set, down to seatpost and stem. I’ve decided to show the frame some cosmetic love, so I’m scheduled to get her powder coated next week. The only trouble is that I have NO idea what color to go with. I know that it’s going to be a single color, nothing too fancy, and the only badging will be the original head tube badge. I’ve run white bar tape up to now, but am looking forward to going to a darker color there. How does one decide? What would ‘pop’ against the 7400? So far I’ve been thinking Ferrari red, a royal blue, or a forest green, but nothing has totally spoken to me yet. Worse come to worse, I’m going to look like a fool standing in front of all the color samples at the powder coaters next week.

Does anyone with powder coating experience have suggestions on finish, durability, etc. that I’m not considering? (I’ve never dealt with powder coating.)

Thanks for any and all suggestions and ideas.

[kiwisimon]

The first Raleigh I ever rode was a British Racing Green bike that had brown leather tape and seat. Looked really nice. think of a shiny bright Toyota 86 BRG. Pops but it will disguise grime more than a red or a blue.

[eddief]

I think this company will send powdered chips so you can see actual color in person. I chose Brentwood Orange and never looked back. Bright with subtle metallic. No clear top coat on my frame.

Not sure who Doug Curtiss uses there in Winthrop Washington but the finish on my frame has been close to indestructible.

https://www.prismaticpowders.com/shop/powder-coating-colors/PMB-0964/brentwood-orange?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCk4Iso83uIDxjfJEcc-hyAsvX4PqkoK8tsgYaYxfLfOjPiTuEvfKd1BoC-CIQAvD_BwE

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xDuNtw1eGtqhNjj2A

[Gummee]

Last bike I had powder coated was pearl black.

Very pretty color.

Otherwise? I got nuthin

M

[Tickdoc]

I vote blue. Deep blue. Ocean blue.

[coreyaugustus]

...British Racing Green bike that had brown leather tape and seat...

I second this. BRG is the way to go.
I really like green bikes btw: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=235801

That being said, the competition orange on Holdsworth's frames would look really good with either black or white tape.

[Malinois]

In terms of red, for a classic Raleigh I’d go with something in a darker shade than Ferrari. Something in the cherry red family would give a bit of depth to the finish and it has a nice understated classiness. An example that comes to mind is the red anodized finish on early GT Zaskars.

[mt2u77]

I like a pearlescent off-white for a traditional steel frame. It looks great with a shiny 7400 groupset.

If the colors get too bright on a powder coat (bright orange, red, green etc.), to me it just looks like a cheap cover-up. Just my two cents.

[RobJ]

The first Raleigh I ever rode was a British Racing Green bike that had brown leather tape and seat.

I have been keeping the image below of the green/brown tape/seat bike for that very reason. Green has never appealed to me, but this combo seems to combine modern and retro in one package. Other vote would be the blue with white combo from the Hampsten.

https://i.imgur.com/ufQfhZcl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1KZWwobl.jpg

[jmoore]

Brown saddle and tape go with pretty much any color frameset.


I like white bicycles, so I'd go with a Pearl White or Cream. Something in that range. That makes any slight bit of color really pop.


That being said, any well done solid color would probably look great. Can you look back at some old Raleigh colors and get something close to one of those? The powder coater could suggest ways to modernize it a bit, I'm sure.

This color is really sharp, IMO
https://live.staticflickr.com/4072/4657207628_47658322c5_b.jpg

[David Kirk]

So....if my memory serves me well the Technium was a tube-bonded-to-lug design and if I'm right I'd have serious reservations about putting that frame into a powder coating oven.

Most powder coating curing takes place at about 375° to 400° and this could very well be well over the softening point of the joints. You very well could have the thing come apart in the oven.

If it were mine I'd get it wet painted and skip the risk.

dave

[kiwisimon]

and Dave is correct and confirmed by Sheldon RIP. Bonded aluminum front triangle and steel rear.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/models.html

[phoenix]

Pretty sure David Kirk just saved you from spending at least 15-20k at the Periodontist/Dentist. Skip the paint, ride that thing hard, never sell it and put that money toward a Kirk instead! :banana:

So....if my memory serves me well the Technium was a tube-bonded-to-lug design and if I'm right I'd have serious reservations about putting that frame into a powder coating oven.

Most powder coating curing takes place at about 375° to 400° and this could very well be well over the softening point of the joints. You very well could have the thing come apart in the oven.

If it were mine I'd get it wet painted and skip the risk.

dave

[Keith A]

This was posted on the forum the other day, and I think it's a great color...and pretty close to what Jason posted previously.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48586988641_bec0198c20_b.jpg

[Rafa]

Thanks for all the responses thus far, lots of cool ideas. Dave, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I had known about the Technium thing, but hadn’t considered that the oven temp might be that close to the adhesive’s point. Happy Thursday,

Rafa

So....if my memory serves me well the Technium was a tube-bonded-to-lug design and if I'm right I'd have serious reservations about putting that frame into a powder coating oven.

Most powder coating curing takes place at about 375° to 400° and this could very well be well over the softening point of the joints. You very well could have the thing come apart in the oven.

If it were mine I'd get it wet painted and skip the risk.

dave

[MattTuck]

So....if my memory serves me well the Technium was a tube-bonded-to-lug design and if I'm right I'd have serious reservations about putting that frame into a powder coating oven.

Most powder coating curing takes place at about 375° to 400° and this could very well be well over the softening point of the joints. You very well could have the thing come apart in the oven.

If it were mine I'd get it wet painted and skip the risk.

dave

Dave, laying down the knowledge, and showing why he is the man!

As for color... powder blue.

[David Kirk]

Dave, laying down the knowledge, and showing why he is the man!

As for color... powder blue.

I sold a crapload of those techniums when I was a kid and it just stuck with me.

dave