restoration question

[Artic_rider]

Does anyone know the compatability with bondo, and powercoating? I will be stripping down, and doing a frame up restoration on Tank...and would like to clean the frame up. there is a lot of gusset work, and some sloppy welding done on the frame...OEM I am thinking, and just want to clean it up a little better. If ya got an idea on if it will work...post it, and I will love ya. I guess I could just call the body shop too, but that would be too easy, and I was here doing some searching anyways.

[Ken Talbot]

In general, powdercoating needs to be applied to a bare metal surface - no bondo, no paint. The powder is sprayed on the surface where it clings by electrostatic attraction.

[Artic_rider]

any suggestion there ken on what I can do with the sloppy work? might be better off grinding it all down and doing it myself then eh? or even going with the bondo and just think coats of paint?

[xswilly]

most people put on beads of weld then grind them smooth
or you can use lead
but for powder coat it should be metal

[Artic_rider]

Lead? didn't think of that...should powder coat fairly easy should it not?

[scoobes]

i have just done my spare frame it was sand blasted or bead blasted,then it was painted not powder coated,when they were first made it looked like they only had a couple of coats of black paint,so now mine has about 6 coats of paint, to make the finish look as it was.

[octane]

Bondo won't hold the powdercoating. Also remember that powdercoating is baked on, so anything that goes in the oven that can't handle an extended time at 350+ degrees won't come out of the oven. Any frame bushings, etc. need to be removed or they'll melt. Learned that the hard way restoring my old Hodaka. Forgot to press the swingarm bushings out before I sent the frame in for coating and when I got it back all I had were bushing sleeves in the hole!

[Ken Talbot]

xswilly has the idea. Build up the nasty bits with some more welding, then clean them up with a die grinder. That 's the way they do it on TV...

[Geezer]

The powder coating process can get pretty hot. I'd worry about the lead sagging. I think 50/50 lead/tin solder would be a better idea.

Geezer

[Artic_rider]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm going to weld it up myself, and then clean it up with a grinder. Pictures to follow

[jacker]

You could use Lab Metal. It works just like Bondo but its actually metal and can be powdercoated over.