Frame / fork respray

crescent

I am considering giving my winter bike a bit of TLC over the summer months. I am fairly adept at stripping my bikes down and rebuilding them so have no concerns in that respect, I will probably upgrade or replace a couple of components at the same time. However, one thing I would like to do is have the frame and forks resprayed. The bike is a 2007 Secialized Allez. I have a great fondness for the bike and it owes me nothing, the only reason I am doing this is just to freshen it up a little. The frame is aluminium and the forks are carbon. Does anyone have any experience and/or do's and dont's about how to tackle this? I am considering powder coating by a company near me, this would be my preferred option but I don't want to throw silly money at it so may also opt to just spray it myself with a couple of rattle cans. I have also found a supplier of Secialized decals which I would be looking to apply, again just to freshen things up a bit. Anyone know if it is best to apply decals before lacquering or after? Also, are there any issues with spraying carbon compared to aluminium? Is carbon suitable for powder coating?
Several questions, I know, but I've done a few searches and not really come up with any conclusive answers yet.

Appreciate any thoughts or advice anyone can offer.
Cheers

Yossie

You can spray carbon but can't powder coat it.

There are no problems with spraying carbon - very light cutting sanding then spray away.

Decals go on just before final lacquering.

Powder coating isn't silly money especially when you compare it to having to buy sandpaper (various grades), primer, rattle cans, lacquer, time, effort etc and unless you know what you're doing the finish will be a million times better as well.

Powder coat also lasts better than rattles.

A decent powder coating firm such as Triple S will mask all threads etc before coating so it really is a get frame back bolt back together with no issues job.

crescent

That's good advice mate, thanks for that.
If I was to go down the powder coating route is it still a case of put the decals on during the process or wait until afterwards? I think I came across a post when I was searching that said powder coating does not get a lacquer coat applied.

Cheers

Yossie

Decals would go on at the end - I'd check with the firm doing the powder coating about lacquering on top: generally powdcer coating doesn't get lacquered but if you are applying decals and need to I can't see why it would cause any adverse effects - but as I said, ask the guys who are doing it.

rpd_steve

But I wouldn't be powder coating the carbon forks though as the heat in powder coating may or may not be carefully monitored depending on the firm, particularly when you can get a re-paint done for £90. Sounds steep until you think you will need 2 cans of primer, 2 color and 2 clear, so 6 cans at £10 each and sand paper etc.