My Background:
I started powder coating in 2008, with a desire to reclaim and refresh old bike parts.   This was due in part to my casual return to cycling after a 25+ year hiatus from the sport and from my brother-in-law' Eric's constant involvement with buying, improving, and selling bikes, especially fixies.  Too many perfectly good (some classic) bicycles with many years left on them are ending up in dumps and scrap bins and if I can make even a small difference, it's worth it to me!

It all began with coating cranks, bars, stems, and seat posts, and eventually led to frames.  However, I was initially limited to an old kitchen oven and a 'hobby gun', so I decided to build a larger oven, a larger blast booth, and eventually purchased a higher powered coating gun, new compressor, and did a a shop re-layout to support the growing business.  This enabled me to coat bikes, wheels, and anything that will fit in my oven.  I've dabbled in car wheels, but I'm just not set up to do them efficiently, so I no longer support any car wheel requests.

Much of what I have learned has been through experimenting, reading, participating in industry forums, and good 'ole trial and error.  I've worked out most bugs with frames and continue to experiment with advanced techniques so I can eventually do some truly unique treatments.  I 'hung out my shingle' on Phx Craigslist in October '08; currently focusing on bikes, but can just as easily apply the same process to anything metal that fits in my oven.  I had to stop advertising on CL for the most part as business was too good and dominating all my free time.  Most of what I do now is for repeat customers and referrals and I'm plenty busy.    

Oven size:  Approximately 40" W x 40" D x 62" H-- if it's metal and fits in this space, I can most likely coat it.

Media blast:  Approximately 24" x 24" x 24", but I utilize  a local commercial media blaster, Prostrip in Mesa, for almost all steel parts.

Repair/mods:  I can do minor modifications on bikes, removing cable stops and other items using a oxy/acetylene torch to de-braze.  I can also do other minor mig welding and repair and straightening parts as required.

Colors:  I have over 70 colors on hand and I'm adding more as customers make requests.   Click here to open a word doc with what I have now; updated as of 2/8/2010.  
  
Another option is to pick a color from the three suppliers I use (links below) and we can negotiate to split the cost of the powder and shipping if it's a color I'll use in the future.  
                 Rosey's         Pro Powder Supply           Powderbuythepound

Completion time:  This is a side business and my day job still takes priority.  In the past, I took in too much PC work and the pressure to complete it all took its toll.  The revised process, effective June 2010 is more structured with respect to scheduling work out in the future.  In other words, I will only take in as much work as I can handle in a 2 week period.  I know most riders want to minimize their bike downtime and by booking a specific date/slot, I can accomplish this without impacting all customers.  I will take advantage of opportunities to batch mutiple frames and colors, so there will be times when I can fit new work in with WIP-- it all depends on the timing.

Location:  I live in NE Gilbert, AZ and do the work in a separate workshop.  I can generally accept drop-offs/pick-ups weekdays after 5:00 PM and weekends. I can also arrange for pick ups and drop offs at my day job work place (Chandler, 202 and Cooper) during lunch time M-F between 11AM and 1PM. All times need to be prearranged. 

Prices:  Very dependent on existing coating on the parts, frame complexity, color selection, clear topcoat, etc.  The prices listed here are merely a starting point; your frame and/or parts may be less or more.  I will give a firm price once I see the frame at drop off.  For non-bike parts I have no or less experience with, I charge time and materials.