Roll Bar Finishes (paint/powder/brush-cleared)

[frankym]

Hi,
I just ordered the taller roll bar from Olthoff Superformance. It's 2.75 inches taller and almost certainly required for most drivers on the track (broom stick test). My question is how to finish. I don't want to simply spray it black, I was thinking of 2 options:

1. Have it powder coated in either white or titanium
2. Abrasive brush it and clear coat it with a qualtiy HVLP gun.

I am curious if any one has done this, if anyone's powder coated in white or silver, I would love to see pics, and if so, how much does it cost to powder coat.

If anyone has done the brushed look, I would really love to see photos because I think if done right, it would look very bada$$. Also, would you use a flap wheel or something simple, like hand sanding?

[terry lee]

I've got the same problem!!!!
I'm thinking powder coating to match my side pipes.
Please keep me posted.
TL

[frankym]

Hi Terry,

I think that using a very course emory cloth might give the steel a finish similar to the kirkham body. I am sure many on this board have gone through the expense of powder coating an ancillary roll bar. I am going to visit gasoline alley nyc around the corner in brooklyn, they are custom motorcycle shop similar to jesse james' west coast choppers, they send lots of stuff out for powder coating, but also might be able to do something different with the finish and clear. I'll let you know how I make out.

[Bish Wheeler]

Frankym,

I don't know if you meant to post on the N.W. Club page, but you did!

Bish Wheeler

[frankym]

oops, I apologize, didn't realize that.

[terry lee]

Got mine today from the Olthoffs.
Man does this thing need some work.
Just a word of advice to those that are going to replace theirs, give yourself some time. You need to pull out the old one, measure and drill several holes, and then do the finish work. Then you are ready to install. This is a job for next week.
TL

[Rick Parker]

I am going to take the hoop for the roll bar to the chrome shop tomorrow. During the reassembly of my chassis which was Powder Coated it seems to scratch rather easily even from just dust being rubbed off. I have often use the rollbar to push the car into the garage and just think it would ultimately get pretty scratched up. Just my opinion.

Rick...........

[frankym]

I think that the powder coating is supposed to be pretty durable, maybe your job was just an exception Rick. The chroming process is pretty expensive. I just took the photo of the roll bar and brought it to custom chopper shop, and they said @175 in black or white. I don't know what that includes in terms of finishing, but presumably, that includes a modest amount of preping.

[computerworks]

Originally posted by frankym


...but presumably, that includes a modest amount of preping.

Frank... double-check with them on this... with powdercoating, the success is ALL in the prepping.. grinding down rough weld spots and metal clean / prep...the actual powdercoat is the easy part.