Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Weight comparison painting or plating

Hey Guys,
I am interested in what kind of weight comparison can be made between coatings for a steel motorcycle frame. I am looking at "bright" Nickel plating, Powder coating or normal painting. All three will be capable of doing a good job for the useful life of the item. I know that the painting would be easiest to "touch-up" in case of a scratch or blemish, however it is also the softest and easiest to damage in the first place.
Any information would be appreciated. I have done several web searches on the subject but haven't found any solid information about it. I have seen references to plating being lighter weight than painting, but no specifics on it. Also seen mentions of Powder coating being lighter than normal spray painting but no specifics.

Thanks,
Jim

Jim Schneider
Hobbyist - Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA
September 22, 2009

---

I'm by no means an expert in any of these three fields (paint, powder coat and plating) but common sense sort of tells me that the overall weight of any of these finishes would be measured in ounces. Not to sound like a smart ass but you might be better off to skip that extra muffin in the morning. I'm almost certain the difference in weight of any of these finishes would be negligible. But don't take my word for it. It's just a guess. It just strikes me that if you work out the square inches of the frame and the fact that these finishes are only .002 to .006 inch thick you really have very little there after you do the math.

Rod Henrickson
gunsmith - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
September 24, 2009

---

September 27, 2009

Rod,
Not a problem with your reply. I appreciate your taking your time to reply. But ounces add up to pounds. I was told years ago that building a dirt bike frame with one step thinner wall thickness would ONLY add up to a couple of lbs. difference in the finished bike. I built the frame with the lighter tubing and it weighed 29 lbs. lighter than a similar bike that one of the local shops built with off the shelf parts. I stopped by the shop and saw that they had finished their race bike and then asked the owner if I could weigh it. I weighed it and he asked me how much it was. I told him that it was 248 lbs.. He was impressed as the stock bike that the engine came from weighed right around 300 lbs.. Then he remembered that I was working on a bike with the same engine and he asked me what it weighed. I told him that I had weighed it at 219 lbs.. He stared at his new bike and asked me where the weight came from. I told him that it came from an ounce or two at a time. The plating and powercoat are typically tougher than most simple paint jobs, I suspect that both of them are also lighter in weight.
Thanks,
Jim

Jim Schneider
- Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA

---

September 27, 2009

Hi, Jim. Paints and powder are similar to plastics and are much lighter by volume than plating, but the plating is about one tenth as thick, so probably lighter. Electrophoretic lacquer is almost as thin as plating and may be the lightest finish of all.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey