Honda parts--plating vs. powder

[Meat-BoX]

So whats the best thing to do to each part? Powder Bigger stuff. Chrome and Plate motor goodies, and smaller parts. Then find a few colored Anodized goodies to set her off? And some blinging anodized skid plates for All you dunners.
If there is such abeast I must see it

[thedeatons]

I could easily clear this up with a call to Mike at Vintage... If anyone would know for sure it would be him.... Maybe I will get to that later in the week...

[ATCT]

I could easily clear this up with a call to Mike at Vintage... If anyone would know for sure it would be him.... Maybe I will get to that later in the week...

That would be good.

[thedeatons]

I will try and call Mike then.... I need to thank him for the work on my tank and forks anyway.....

I know for a fact that zinc plating is the only way to go for steel nuts/bolts/washers, along with other steel parts like axles (front/rear) and little things like mudflap supports (some will use yellow chromate and others will use the clear chromate to appear gray)

As far as aluminum parts go it is hard to say. Levers came from the factory in a semi-polished form and with the correct protectant added they can be kept perfect looking, although I wouldn't recommend a full polish due to the maintenance.

When Mike does my engine he is planning to do a new color powdercoating that he says will make engine cleaning as easy as wiping things away with a rag to bring the "new" back.

I would always recommend powdercoating for longevity/durability. Spray painting is a cheap way out and good for some, but it simply won't hold up. Anyone who says different is in denial. It all boils down to the simple fact that you get what you pay for. If spray painting was so darn spectacular, then why aren't all the custom guys using that method? I realize that not everyone has a big budget, but it is well worth the savings in my opinion....

[vintagemotorsports]

Hey guys,
Mike from Vintagemotorsports. I got a call from james and wanted to run a list of what i do for my restorations as far as plating powder coating and paint.
the biggest thing to remember is back in the 80s the products were not half as good as what is on the market today and on a restoration it is important to try to duplicate as close as you can to what honda or the other 3 did from the factory. as far as frames they were epoxy painted from the factory you can still epoxy paint now but powder coating essetially is the same end result with different ways to apply . powder coating is not just melting a powder that was sprayed on to a part there is an actual chemical process that goes on under heat that activates the resin and color parts of the powder just like a 2 part epoxy paint, so as far as frames and undercarrage parts I always powder coat and all of our glossy parts get a clear powder on top to protect from UV dulling out. now things like grab bars,pegs,handlebars they get done in a semi -gloss black powder coat ( not gloss) use your judgement of what the original parts sheen was . things like kick starters, shifters and some of the black honda bolts are black oxide coated Zinc this gives them a real thin coating that does not chip and wears , any shiny hardware part , bolts,brackets,clips etc are either done in a Zinc with clear plating or a Zinc with yellow chromate plating , the yellow is the gold color you have all seen. and any chrome is obviously chrome plating. now parts like fuel tanks, painted body pieces such as US90 stuff needs to be painted I use all dupont products or house of color for my Candy colors. never powder coat these parts they will look very bad, you can t beat the look of a nice paint job . and the quality of the clears that we use now can protect these bikes for a very long time this stuff is made to be on a hood of a car for years in all the bad elements and hold up well , most of our restorations are kept inside under climate controlled conditions ( Or bedrooms in James d case- lol) now things like the gold 250R wheels are anodized parts witch is basically plating for aluminum. and like james said spray paint may look good for the now but it wont hold up to much at all for the long haul if you want to do a quality restoration metal prep and a good coating is a must . good luck take care mike

[ATCT]

Hey guys,
Mike from Vintagemotorsports. I got a call from james and wanted to run a list of what i do for my restorations as far as plating powder coating and paint.
the biggest thing to remember is back in the 80s the products were not half as good as what is on the market today and on a restoration it is important to try to duplicate as close as you can to what honda or the other 3 did from the factory. as far as frames they were epoxy painted from the factory you can still epoxy paint now but powder coating essetially is the same end result with different ways to apply . powder coating is not just melting a powder that was sprayed on to a part there is an actual chemical process that goes on under heat that activates the resin and color parts of the powder just like a 2 part epoxy paint, so as far as frames and undercarrage parts I always powder coat and all of our glossy parts get a clear powder on top to protect from UV dulling out. now things like grab bars,pegs,handlebars they get done in a semi -gloss black powder coat ( not gloss) use your judgement of what the original parts sheen was . things like kick starters, shifters and some of the black honda bolts are black oxide coated Zinc this gives them a real thin coating that does not chip and wears , any shiny hardware part , bolts,brackets,clips etc are either done in a Zinc with clear plating or a Zinc with yellow chromate plating , the yellow is the gold color you have all seen. and any chrome is obviously chrome plating. now parts like fuel tanks, painted body pieces such as US90 stuff needs to be painted I use all dupont products or house of color for my Candy colors. never powder coat these parts they will look very bad, you can t beat the look of a nice paint job . and the quality of the clears that we use now can protect these bikes for a very long time this stuff is made to be on a hood of a car for years in all the bad elements and hold up well , most of our restorations are kept inside under climate controlled conditions ( Or bedrooms in James d case- lol) now things like the gold 250R wheels are anodized parts witch is basically plating for aluminum. and like james said spray paint may look good for the now but it wont hold up to much at all for the long haul if you want to do a quality restoration metal prep and a good coating is a must . good luck take care mike

That's awesome info Mike. Thanks a ton. I didn't see you mention the engine, but based on what you described, it looks like a powdercoat with a satin/semi-gloss finish? At least on the 200X.

Once again, thank you so much for the invaluable info.