How to Choose a Good Paint Shop

When choosing a paint shop to powder coat your motorcycle, or automobile, you first have to locate a shop, which specializes in either motorcycles or automobiles as well as a shop that specializes in power coating. This may sound very elementary, but there are hundreds of individuals out there who wished that they had taken this first elementary step. The second step is to locate a shop whose style is appealing to you. If like the way your buddies bike looks, except you want something else, then where he or she had her bike powder coated may not be the shop for you. Your third and very important step is to look for a warranty. The fourth step is to go and check out the shop. Does it have the most up-to-date equipment? Does the staff appear to know what they are doing and are they willing to answer all of your questions in a manner that you completely understand what they are talking about. Lastly, is the cost of the paint scheme in the right price range for your pocket and does it compare the prices of other shops?

When you select a shop that specializing in powder coating motorcycles, then you know that they have the experience needed to powder coat your motorcycle correctly. It is a fact that motorcycle parts require more hand preparation than automobile parts. In addition, the various materials that motorcycle parts are made from all require different stripping and priming techniques. This affects not only durability of the paint, but it will also affect how the paint looks, as certain paints do not have the same appearance on metal as they do on plastic. Shops that specialize in motorcycles have specialized jigs in which to hold the parts in position during painting to ensure that the small parts receive the proper coverage. Lastly, shops that specialize in motorcycles know how once it is assembled, therefore, the paint scheme you chose will look the way your want it to.

Let's face it, if you are good and proud of your work, you are going to show it off. This also goes for paint shops. The majority of good paint shops will have several examples of their work on display for their customers to view. If the paint shop does not have one or two bikes for you to see, then ask to see their photo album. If the shop doesn't have a bike or photo album so that you can view their work---go some place else. If the shop does have an example of their work for you to see, study the painter's style. Some paint shops will only do graphics and pictures while other will do specialty paints such as candy coatings, but all custom painters each have their own special look. For this reason, it is important that you match the painter's style to the one you have envisioned. The painter's book is his or her resume, so look it over carefully and remember to ask for references and make sure that you follow though with them as well before you take in any parts to be painted.

Always look for a shop that guarantees their work and backs it up with a warranty. Warranties can come from the shop itself or the manufacturer of the paint. Generally, if a warranty is offered by the manufacturer, the shop will display a sign outlining the terms. Manufacturers who issue warranties typically require that the paint shop to be certified and it's staff properly trained in the application of the manufacture's paint. In addition, many times the manufacturer will inspect the shop before it can qualify for its warranty. Finally, it is vital to understand that manufacturer's warranties require that only their brand of paint be used. Therefore, it is important to ask what brand of paint the shop uses and to ensure that they will only apply that brand in order for the warranty to remain valid.

When you investigate the paint shop, one way to see if the shop is keeping up with the current powder coating technology is to simply loot at its equipment, granted you may not be familiar with what powder coating equipment looks like. They must have spray booth, which should be dust-free and the shop should not smell of fumes. The paint shop should have and use high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) gravity-feed spray guns, which work on compressed air. The HVLP guns will ensure that the paint goes on the parts, not into the air. While you are investigating the paint shop, don't be afraid to ask them questions. If you don't understand what they are telling you, ask them to explain it so that you do understand what they are saying. Remember, it is your bike that they will be powder coating and your money that will be paying for it.

We all want to get a great bargain, however, if it sounds too good to be true---well, you know the rest. Powder coating technology provides the look and durability we all want in our custom schemes. Yet, some individuals are envious of the $500 paint jobs they see advertised for cars that may not retain its appearance more than a few months. When looking for a good paint shop, don't let the price be your deciding factor because it will cost you more to fix or correct a bad finishing job than it will to have the coating done correctly the first time.

By taking your time and doing a little research, you should be able to choose the right paint shop and painter who will deliver the results you want. Choosing a paint shop in hast can lead to very disappointing results. Therefore, take your time, and follow these simple steps in selecting the right paint shop.