Powder coating Mag handle?

[TimZeigler]

Has anybody done this to a Bear Mag handle?  Bought one for my wife, and it desperately needs a new paint job, so its either Powdercoat or Spray Paint, not sure which one yet.  I think the PC would be a tougher finish but not sure about baking the riser to complete the job.  Spraying it would be easier, and cheaper, but I want it to be something that looks professional and is tough.  What to do?

The limb pockets have rubber buttons in them, can these be popped out and then just popped back in?

Thanks, Tim.

[TimZeigler]

Thanks Al, maybe one of them will chime in here, if not I'll shoot each of them an email.  Tim

[d. ward]

Hi Tim your right.The powder coat is about 10 times stronger then most paints.I think powder coating is the best...Originaly they were powder coated at the factory.I can't remember which,but one of the Fred Bear videos shows the risers being coated and baked in an oven...bowdoc

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Raghorn has done several,, He's busy these days and may not get on,,, but yes it works great if you are hooked up with a knowledgeable coater with good color options.. Make sure and open all holes before it cures.

[d. ward]

Tim darned if I can find the video of Bear Archery powder coating the mag risers.maybe one of these other guy's remembers which video it is.bowdoc

[Falk]

It is "Rural ?Road ?Route One" - but them are 1976's or Bearcat T/D risers which are coated ...

[raghorn]

I have had several powder coated locally here in Denver.  Lots of different colors and textures to chose from. Some I had cleaned up myself and others I had them sand blasted. Be careful and explain to the company that the limb pockets are sensitive areas and the metal is thin. Blasting can remove too much metal and the powder needs to be applied thinner in this area. Make sure the all holes are plugged or they are cleaned out immediately after spraying.
Removing the pin that retains the latch hook can be tricky.

[Jacobm]

Tim- I have been powder coating for about 30 years now.  I'll shoot it for you just to say I did one as long as it's one of my stock colors.  Don't worry about the masking.  We do it every day.  Mark

[Dan Worden]

Tim,

I've had two done and plan on getting another one or two done at some point.

Stay away form gloss colors. They look cool, but on a porous material like cast magnesium they show every little flaw. My flat black one is awesome. All of the pieces come off easily. The guy that did  mine had nylon plugs for all the holes.

There's a ton of colors but to keep costs down you need to see what yuour guy has in stock. Since the guy I deal with does mostly car stuff the "natural tones" were few and far between.

Here's the gloss "black jade" cool color wish it would have worked better. Don't have pics of the black one.