Painting my gear

[postmister]

I did a search on the forums for painting my gear, but I did not find anything regarding the quality or type of paint.

I have a Maraxus mechanical mod and a protank II which I've been using for the past year. The paint is fading, and I'd like to spruce it up a bit. I am tossing around the idea of painting the externals. Obviously I wouldn't paint the connecting threads, internals, or the air holes.

There's a guy I know that works at local bike shop. He does powder coating on bikes, tanks and frames. He said he could do the pro-tank and most of the Maraxus, but he's skeptical of the bottom button. There is a piece of plastic and a spring which insulates the connection. Is this a serviceable part? Meaning: can I disassemble it prior to sticking it in the kiln. He didn't want to touch it. He also said, "hi-temp" spray paint might work. Some spray paints even have a texture to them???

Any idea on painting procedures?

 

[MrPlink]

Powder coat is good but very thick.
What color do you want?

 

[postmister]

if I "high temp spray paint", it'll be
gloss black and deep garnet or
black chrome and gold, or
if I powder coat it,
black chrome and copper vein or
royal blue metallic and hyper-gloss black.

I'm looking for an extreme contrast.
I'm leaning towards the deep garnet and gloss black high temp spray paint.
Mostly because I'm still not sure if I can tear apart the bottom button of the Maraxus for powder coating.

 

[AK Maniak]

Have you considered Plasti-dip? Holds up pretty well but more importantly you can experiment with colors before committing to a permanent solution such as powder coating.

 

[switchbox]

I own a hydrographics company in OKC. I have had pretty good luck using automotive paint and clear. And with hydrodipping there are TONS of options.

 

[shortdraw]

Cerakote is the perfect product for the job.

 

[shatteredsoul76]

What would it cost to get a Provari tube either hydro-dipped or cerakoted?

 

[shortdraw]

Can it be disassembled down to just a metal tube?

 

[shatteredsoul76]

Yes, that is my plan and simply send the tube to get it polished,dipped,painted etc. Of course it would depend on the price.

 

[shortdraw]

I'll send you a message.

 

[MrPlink]

Unless you want a very specific pattern I would go cerakote any day over a dip.
Cerakote is as tough as it gets.

 

[shortdraw]

Patterns in Cerakote are pretty doable too, depending on the artist doing the work. These are just a couple of very simple patterns. You can get into multi colors, fades, marbles, and any kind of graphic you can make a stencil out of.

 

[MrPlink]

Hence I said "very specific"

There are some designs that would be practically impossible if not very cost prohibitive for cerakote.

 

[shortdraw]

Haha, true. I'd say anything is possible but definitely cost prohibitive. Each color change is wasted product, at least an hour of curing wait time, and more labor.

 

[Porksmuggler]

Hey paint pros, what your opinion on alcohol ink? If you've used it successfully, was it DIY or purchased alcohol ink?