Metal Finishing
No matter how much care you take of your bike, stone chips, road salt, wet riding and many other factors mean your motorcycle’s exposed metal parts will degrade over time. The good news is you can make sure they get back to ‘better than factory’ condition by bringing your motorbike to RDS Motorcycles in Rye for metal finishing. Using the latest paint technology, it is possible to improve on the manufacturer’s original finish and future protect those parts with upgraded coatings.
As metal finishing experts, RDS provides a number of cost-effective solutions to ensure your bike continues to look great and the materials perform even better.
Let’s take a look at the metal finishing options available to you and when you might use them…
Vapour Blasting & Sand Blasting
Vapour blasting is a process that uses high pressure water with a fine grit media to clean surfaces gently but very effectively. It’s a blasting method that is perfect for removing paint, coatings, corrosion and other debris from surfaces without damaging or wearing away the substrate which leaves a shinier surface often making the vapour blasted part look like new again and not requiring any other finishing or protection.
Sand blasting is a dry process where a sand/grit type media is literally blasted at the item through a high-pressure air hose, it is ideal for removing paint, rust, and residue from oxidation from materials quickly and efficiently, leaving a finely keyed area appropriate for painting, powder coating or Cerakoting. Sandblasting can also be used to change the condition of a metal’s surface, such as through removing scratches or casting marks.
To discuss your needs, get a bespoke quote, or book workshop time, please contact RDS Motorcycles.
Powder Coating
Powder coating is a dry finishing process that can be applied to a wide range of substrates including steel, copper and aluminium and offers a very durable finish. It is applied by creating an electro-static charge that causes a dry powder to fuse to the surface of the metal. This is then baked in a curing oven to achieve a smooth coating. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint.
What makes powder coating a good choice?
Powder Coating (as it’s name suggests) is not applied in a liquid form, so it can produce thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without the usual running or sagging characteristics.
It therefore produces minimal appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces and is extremely tough – resistant to most chemical and abrasive factors experienced by motor vehicles.
The main advantages include:
- A wide range of finishes to include matt, silk and gloss
- Provides a layer of protection against corrosion, scratches/chipping and fading
- One of the most economical, longest-lasting, and most colour-durable quality finishes available on virtually any type of metal
- Achieves a consistent colour finish across the metal
- Powder coatings can produce much thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging
- Non-toxic and less flammable than wet spray paint finishes
Where would I use powder coating on my motorcycle?
In the Automotive world, powder coating is often used for wheels, frames and small steel and aluminium parts. Here at RDS we particularly specialise in motorcycle wheels, frame parts and frame additions such as foot peg hangers, luggage racks and other ancillary items.
Can powder coating be applied to bodywork?
Yes, powder coating can be applied to bodywork – however it may require some additional time spent polishing, to achieve the typical wet paint look that some owners may require for bodywork panels.
What does Powder Coating cost?
All prices quoted below are starting prices to give you an idea of costs – all jobs will be priced individually. Additional charges are made, based on our standard labour costs, for any mechanical work such as removal of bearings, etc.
and for paint colours we don’t have in stock (usually £20).
| Wheels (per pair) | £165 |
| Yokes (single/top & bottom) | £30/£50 |
| Luggage Rack | £40 |
| Swing Arm | £60 |
| Handlebars | £40 |
| Sub Frame | £40 |
| Hubs | £30 |
| Foot Pegs | £20 |
| Engine Casing | £40 |
| Misc Small Items (min 4) | £POA |
If you’re unsure about the best type of coating for your part – be it powder coating or Cerakote – or even if we can do it, please ask!
To discuss your needs, get a bespoke quote, or book workshop time, please contact RDS Motorcycles.
Cerakote
Cerakote is a high-performance ceramic coating (or more exactly, a composite epoxy coating made with a polymer-ceramic).
Ceramic is an extremely hard substance so the end result of a ceramic paint is that it can be applied to any hard surface including metal, plastics and even wood.
What are the benefits of Cerakote?
After a surface is coated in Cerakote, it becomes corrosion resistant, abrasion resistant, chemical resistant and heat resistant (dependent on type applied). It also enhances impact strength and surface hardness.
Cerakote prolongs the life of the parts it is applied to, making them easier to clean and maintain.
- Distinct, high-end look and feel
- High Temperature ceramic based coatings can withstand temperatures up to 982°C
- Withstands thermal cycling as well as thermal shock
- Unmatched performance in corrosion and chemical resistance
- Environmentally friendly
- Great for detailed designs and offers customisable features with coatings that can be applied in multiple colours
- Cost effective – a single coat (straight to substrate)
Where would I use Cerakote on my motorcycle?
In the Automotive world, Cerakote is often applied to parts of a vehicle that may be subject to quick, extreme heat (Thermo-shock) or areas that are exposed to heat to cold to heat, again and again (Thermo-cycle) – think exhaust manifolds and brake calipers!
It is a very thin coating so is great for areas where detail needs to be kept, such as engine/frame numbers, makers markers and even engraving. It is also ideal for areas of moving parts where tolerances between frictional surfaces need to be maintained.
How much does Cerakoting cost?
| Fork Tubes (per pair) | £130 |
| Calipers (per unit) | £75 |
| Handlebars | £60 |
| Foot Pegs (per pair) | £50 |
| Exhaust Downpipes (4 into 1) | £175 |
| Single Downpipe | £60 |
| Exhaust – Complete System | £200 |
| Engine Casing | £60 |
| Misc Small Items | £50 |
To discuss your needs, get a bespoke quote, or book workshop time, please contact RDS Motorcycles.
for more information or to GET A METAL FINISHING QUOTE for your bike