Are there any downsides to this because it's very cheap and local so no carriage. I've been quoted 50/60 quid for a metalic.
These are practical guys, they know what they are doing. You might just need to remind them how fussy you are but that's it IME.
blind your threads off and pivots etc first (i.e. use ol BB's and headsets)
The finish should be good, people wanting custom car spraying/coating tend to be pretty choosy but, it'll be worth really going over what you need masking-wise and set out an expectation, ie, "screw it up and I'm not paying for it". The coater I used to do my Mmmbop (Hendersons in Edinburgh) knew exactly what should be done, he just didn't do it, amounts to the same thing though.
There's a company in southampton who have powder coated a couple of mates frames, very tidy job, for about £30. Haggle!
Been fine for me
I asked a mate who runs a body shop about this (and is also a pretty handy DHer).
He basically said that car paint chips too easily for it to be really worth while - something I'd already noticed about stove enamel. He's done a couple of really nice jobs on cars of mine, but sends his bike frames to Argos to get redone. Kinda says it all to me.
I was hoping that might not be much of an issue on a road bike?
This guy does de chroming for Jaguar customers, the bumper parts must take a hammering and live to tell the tale.
Anybody know what sort of paint do the likes of Argos use if it isn't car paint?
argos use stove-enamel, not overly durable in my experience.
I had my 456 done by a place that has done bikes in the past, but are predominantly a car / motorbike / other stuff place. They knew about masking / bunging holes and I delivered the frame with old BB cups and bolts in all the holes and it's come up fine. I'm very pleased with it, though there was quite a lot of blasting dust in the frame itself that needed a good clean out.
Stove-enamel looks great but chips easily. Car paint looks (not quite) as good & also chips easily. Powdercoat not as good a finish but is as tough as old boots...
You pays your money etc, etc..
I just had a frame powdercoated by Pentland Precision Finishes in Edinburgh. Good quality job but they did not mask the frame well enough. However i'm not that bothered as it only cost 30 quid for a good quality metallic paint and they have loads to choose from. If You prepare Your frame properly (something I did not do) than it is a very good and cheap option.
I didn't realize you could get powder coat metallic. Are there any issues with masking chrome when powder coating?
I had a road frame a couple of years ago custom airbrushed by Lawrence aka Kaos here www.customshack.co.uk
Cost me £400 so £50 - £60 is a bargain!
oldgit, my chromed 456 was powder coated over 2 years ago and apart from where it slid down a brick wall is still perfect looking.
i went for a teflon non-stick look with extra sparkle, so not smooth/shiney, powdercoated also did motorbikes and stuff and masked virtually everything except some over spray on the ebb.
After considering it I think I'll try the custom guy. The frames lugged, half chrome rear and forks and a fair amount of pantographs. On the basis that spray wont hide the detail.
Was that Aerocoat you went to Saccades?
Hmmmmm
[img] 
[/img]
No, tallght powdercoating in Dublin.
Was more answering the masking of chrome question.
He was very good though and was keen to get fancy with the spraygun (he did, but only because it was a new colour/type of powdercoat) but I just wanted a plain dark stealthish look.