High gloss powdercoat - does it exist in OZ?

I've been told that new Harley frames are powdercoated and they're a wonderfully deep glossy black. As I'm about to refinish the black cycle parts on my MK3 I was wondering whether it is indeed possible to get such a high gloss powdercoat and if so whether anyone does it in OZ? The black gloss from my local powdercoaters isn't that flash - its not a deep black and its not that glossy.
Although I've been following the Forum for some time now this is my first post, so by way of introduction I've had one or more Nortons for thirty five years (I bought a Mk2A new in 74) and now own a Mk3, a Mk2A (sadly not the same one I bought new) and a 1961 Manx. I'm currently rebuilding the Mk3 and will be fitting it out with many of the upgrades now available. Bill

Welcome Bill!

It is not only the Harley frames that are powder coated, but the tanks and tinware also! As has been mentioned before, there are different chemistries of powder coat just as there are different chemistries of liquid paint. Some will have better gloss and distinctness of image than others. I can tell you that Harley powder is provided by PPG Industrial coatings, but can't help determine if it is available in OZ. Perhaps you could find out from a local Harley dealer if they can get the powder to repair their frames?

Also I know some people spray clear over their powdercoat and buff it

Powdercoated tanks as well! That's extraordinary Ron. I'll ask the local Harley dealer, but I suspect he's more of the "sell them a new one" school rather than a refurbisher. I'm happy to do some homework on this - is there a particular type of powdercoat I should ask about?
I've tried the two pac clear over powdercoat and it certainly does give a better shine, but I doubt it will be as hardwearing or chipproof.

You can polish Powdercoat with paint cutting compounds, how glossy it gets will depend upon what type it is, or apply a clearcoat, it acts very neutral so most types of clearcoat will work.

The guy who does mine uses a clearcoat after and bakes it which really gives it a pop.When I did my carriers awhile back with another powdercoater he had many different colours of black.The piano black seemed to be the richest and darkest without the clear.I had no idea there was more than one shade of black.A chart at the powdercoaters would show you.
Bruce

I have never put any pics on this site,but send me your e mail and I will send you a few pics to show the gloss. bchessell@odyssey.on.ca
Bruce

Many thanks for your replies and suggestions. I'll have a go at polishing some powdercoating I had done a while ago, and I'm also going to see whether I can find a powdercoater who uses PPG products.

I don't have a lot of information on the powders used at HD or the powders sold by our industrial division for other uses. We developed some powder coatings for metal packaging several years ago, but for various reasons they never caught on.

Here's a link to a little more information.
http://www.ppg.com/coatings/industrial/technologiesproducts/powder/Pages/default.aspx

Many thanks Ron. I hadn't realised that there were so many different types of powder coat! The acrylic one sounds pretty close by the description given on the page you're referenced. I'll give PPG in Melbourne a ring on Monday and see if there's someone there who can steer me in the right direction. Hopefully they'll be able to recommend someone, and if all else fails I could perhaps buy some of the powder myself and take it to one of the local bike friendly powder coating crowds and see if they'll give it a try.

I checked with the PPG rep in Sydney and he advised that only one type of powdercoat black is available in OZ, and its not a high gloss one. So I think I'll have to go with the two pack clear coat over the top.