Clear Coat Question

[heartattackrider]

I'm getting a new frame built (853) and the builder offers colored clear coat. I have found many online threads that say clear coat is not a good idea but they were not frame builders. As this is the biggest group of frame builders within earshot I was hoping for a definitive answer…I do live 10 miles for them beach, but I live in Southern Ca so it can take a hour in traffic :) so salt air is a reality. Thanks
* I could not find another thread here on the topic, if there is PLMK

[Craig Ryan]

You mean no primer, basecoat, just candied clear?

[Amaro Bikes]

I'm getting a new frame built (853) and the builder offers colored clear coat. I have found many online threads that say clear coat is not a good idea but they were not frame builders. As this is the biggest group of frame builders within earshot I was hoping for a definitive answer…I do live 10 miles for them beach, but I live in Southern Ca so it can take a hour in traffic :) so salt air is a reality. Thanks
* I could not find another thread here on the topic, if there is PLMK

I wouldn't do it. If you apply candy paint directly over the raw steel, most likely you'll end up having some rust under the clear coat, also the clear coat without primer coat won't manage to "grab" the tubes with the same strength (easier to chip or peel)

Just my 2 cents

[Jonathan]

This is a powder coat right? I've seen it on bmx bikes. Looks cool. Like any finish, it's always about surface prep and application. All the normal stuff about powder vs wet paint apply.

[fortyfour]

Every clear coat over raw steel frames be it a powder clear, powder candied/tinted clear or liquid clear have all eventually rusted beneath the clear coat. You'll see it as a "spider web" like pattern and it spreads from there. Any amount of moisture will lay the foundation for corrosion on steel as simple as a finger print. As Jonathan notes above, it's all about the surface prep. But I have yet to see it done without it eventually going south.

[Jonathan]

Every clear coat over raw steel frames be it a powder clear, powder candied/tinted clear or liquid clear have all eventually rusted beneath the clear coat. You'll see it as a "spider web" like pattern and it spreads from there. Any amount of moisture will lay the foundation for corrosion on steel as simple as a finger print. As Jonathan notes above, it's all about the surface prep. But I have yet to see it done without it eventually going south.

I don't powder coat, that's a caveat, but almost every color powdered steel frame I've refinished has had the spider webs too. The color just hides it better. I'd be curious to hear from our resident powder guru Rody on what he does and his thoughts on clear powder. I know he does some bars that way.

[heartattackrider]

Thanks for the responses.
Obviously corrosion is happening but is it changing the integrity/strength enough over time that the frame would be unsafe?

[Rody]

Search is your friend...

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...eel-37913.html

In short, cosmetically is will eventually get ugly.

When that occurs, it's time to use a proper primer and finish.

rody

[dbohemian]

Rody's post should be a permanent sticky ....clearing over a raw finish has to be one of the questions I get asked most.

[heartattackrider]

sorry didn't see the previous topic…thanks.

[Rody]

No worries Heartattackrider, glad we could answer your question.

@Dave B...I brought the content over to "The Knowledge" area to keep it resident on VSalon. Thanks Josh for increasing my storage space to accommodate more tutorial/education info.

cheers,

rody