Ducati Monster Forum

Are the S2R frames painted or powdercoated from the factory?  Looking to change colors and want to do it the right way.  Thanks.

you could PC or liquid paint them. PC is just paint without a liquid medium. Though the material is ultimately what makes PC more durable. There certainly are liquid paints that are close to or as durable as PC, but it comes at a higher cost. Liquid paint almost always has a better gloss factor and finish.

Found out from my dealer that they're PCd

I...was under the impression they were painted?

I think it is painted, but this is just my hunch based on repairing the nicks.

I don't think they would bother with the labor of liquid paint unless they were doing some short run metallic or candy colors.

The wheels are also liquid paint.

Last I heard the frame was PC'ed and the wheels were paint..

I agree with them being painted. Seems too thin to be PC...

 [roll] Is it easy to remove the frame to change the color? I like the red 1100 but I am afraid it the red frame will not look very good with various colour therapy kits.

So an important question. Can powdercoat be metallic?  Never thought there was such a thing.

Yes.  But talk with your powdercoater you are going to use first -- some do industrial (one color) whereas others are into the funky colors, overlays, metallics, etc.  Make sure they have done it before!

I've seen some four process PC done in the past.  Base coat, metallic, toner (fade) and then clear.  Really thick looking though -- so make sure you like that look. 

For most factory Ducati frames, I usually do the following: tinted base/primer (heavier to fill the welds) followed by the final PC color itself.

I've also taken frames from the PC AFTER the first thick base/primer and then brought them back to shop and wet sanded to blend things better.  Cleanup and bring back and let them do final PC coat.  A bunch of SoCal custom car builders do this trick on chassis as it blends welds for showcars quickly and without much labor.  Some just paint over the PC itself if they can't get the right color PC mixed.

Also you can get "color matched" PC colors made.  Just bring a sample and they can route back to Cardinal or other supplier and get made.  I think it was $35/extra last time to get color matched PC mixed.  I've had very good luck in matching solid colors.

Well the main reason I asked was to try to deduce whether my frame was powdercoated or painted.  However, I think powdercoating is the better option due to durability.  Any advice?

most Ducati frames are painted.  Usually a primer/etcher followed by paint. (that is baked to make more durable)

Paint -vs- powercoat?

I paint all my frames.  Mostly because I know I can easily strip if needed if I make changes later ala welding, more modifications, etc. I can spot it in easily enough.  I also "crack check" (magnaflux) my personal cromoly frames (ala racecar suspension parts) at times and thus the paint needs to be stripped to do so.  I honestly think I'm the only person who does this -- but it's what we did in the racecar world and it's hard to break the habit.

Almost every customer frame is powdercoated -- simple because they won't be modifying their frames and want long-term durability. 

Paint it is then. 

Does anyone know why my Ducati would have made the frame satin black with metallic flakes so that it doesn't match the tank?  Really annoying to go through all this trouble just to get things to match.

I'm sure they want the fewest frame colors possible. Red or black metallic then add whatever color bodywork is called for. Why did they go with the metallic in the first place? The guy making the decisions must not have liked flat black for some reason. Maybe flat black was too pedestrian.

Don't know.  I remember I had my S4RS for a short time when one day I was checking out its awsomeness and noticed little glitter flakes in the black paint.   ???

^Are you referring to the paint on the tank or the frame?

The frame.

Yeah...it=teh suck.

They are painted, good call.