Failed paint-major problem

PaulinDevon

Hi everybody,

Last winter, with the help of a friend, we totally rebuilt my wife's motorbike.

I paid £1,700 for everything to be powder coated by a business I have used before.

The bike was rebuilt over a couple of weeks and was MOT'd last spring. It did about 200 miles and was then put away for the winter. This past week, I taxed it again and got it back on the road.

Unfortunately the powder coating on the top crank case/barrels and the cylinder heads has very badly bubbled whilst covered up in a heated garage. In order to re-coat the failed items, it the whole engine will require a complete strip down with new gaskets, seals etc which is likely to cost around £250-300. Plus any labour costs if sent to a specialist mechanic of maybe £1,500? (A guess).

I am sure there is a clear case for the work to be redone or a refund, maybe £500. My question is, does anyone know if it is reasonable under consumer legislation to expect compensation for the costs beyond the coating?

The bike is absolutely perfect apart from the failed coating that would normally be expected to last decades.

Your input would be very welcome before I get into talks with the coater please.

ssparks2003

There are potential issues with powder coating engine parts as it can interfere with heat dispersal plus it is not as heat resistant as other finishes (unless they have used a specific heat resistant powder coat). I suspect that the heat of the engine has melted the coating.

ttoli

What preperation was made to the parts before powder coating them ? , were they sandblasted/cleaned correctly and more importantly were they prebaked first?, If not the items will outgas as they are bought upto heat permanantly trapping bubbles under the powdercoat layer.

DCFC79

ssparks2003 wrote: »

There are potential issues with powder coating engine parts as it can interfere with heat dispersal plus it is not as heat resistant as other finishes (unless they have used a specific heat resistant powder coat). I suspect that the heat of the engine has melted the coating.

A bit pointless to powder coat an item that could get hot for then the coating to bubble.

ssparks2003

DCFC79 wrote: »

A bit pointless to powder coat an item that could get hot for then the coating to bubble.

I know, but people still love to do it. It worse on an air cooled that say a water cooled but still not the best idea. Though often done on show bikes that are not being ridden