파우더 코팅과 ED 코팅 - 화물 자전거에 어떤 것이 더 좋을까요?

At Regen, we design and build cargo bikes that aren’t just visually appealing but also engineered to survive the rigours of real-world use. Whether you’re hauling children to school, making urban deliveries, or commuting through all seasons, your bike’s frame finish plays a critical role in longevity, safety, and appearance.

Two coating technologies dominate the conversation in our industry: Powder Coating 그리고 ED 코팅(전기영동 증착). Both are widely used in automotive and bicycle manufacturing—but which is better for cargo bikes?

In this article, we break down what each method is, where it excels, where it falls short, and what we at Regen actually use (and why).

Why Frame Coating Matters for Cargo Bikes

Cargo bikes are built to do more—and endure more—than regular bikes:

• They carry heavier loads
• Often remain outdoors or under covered parking
• Get exposed to rain, salt, dust, and grit
• Experience more frame stress and vibration

This means any weakness in paint adhesion 또는 anti-corrosion protection will show up fast—flaking paint, rusted weld joints, or even internal corrosion that weakens the structure over time.

👉 For long-lasting protection, a surface treatment is not just for looks—it’s part of the frame’s engineering.

Learn more: 프레임 강도: 무엇이 내구성을 결정할까요?

What Is Powder Coating?

Powder coating is a dry finishing process where electrostatically charged powder (usually polyester or epoxy resin) is sprayed onto a metal surface. The part is then baked in a curing oven, where the powder melts and flows into a smooth, durable finish.

Technical Facts:

• Coating thickness: 60–120 μm
• Finish: matte, gloss, texture, metallic, or custom color
• Process time: typically 30–60 mins per frame
• Colour variety: nearly unlimited

장점:

• Excellent surface protection from scratches and minor impacts
• Vibrant, customizable colours and textures
• UV- and weather-resistant with proper resin choice
• More eco-friendly than liquid paint (no VOCs or solvents)

단점:

• Does not cover internal surfaces or tubing interiors
• Chipping from rocks or cargo wear can expose raw metal
• Needs perfect surface prep—otherwise, paint may peel

👉 If your bike frame lacks proper pre-coating treatment, powder coating alone won’t prevent rust from inside out—especially in hollow aluminum or steel tubes.

What Is ED Coating?

Also known as 전자 코팅 또는 electrophoretic deposition, ED coating involves submerging the frame in a bath of paint particles suspended in water. An electrical charge causes the paint to uniformly deposit across the entire surface—inside and out. It’s then baked to cure.

This process is widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries to coat complex, enclosed components with ultra-consistent protection.

Technical Facts:

• Coating thickness: 15–30 μm
• Colour: typically black, grey, or brown
• Ideal for corrosion resistance, not appearance

장점:

• 100% coverage, including hard-to-reach areas and interiors
• Excellent adhesion to metal (including complex welds and bends)
• Resistant to humidity, chemicals, road salt, and fuel
• Can act as a primer for further coatings

단점:

• Limited color choices
• Surface finish is plain—requires top coating for aesthetics
• Costlier facility setup (anodic/cathodic tanks, electrical systems)

ED coating is often used in frame manufacturing before powder coating, acting as a rust-resistant foundation.

Explore deeper: ED 코팅: 장거리 운송을 위한 전기 자전거 및 카고 자전거 프레임 보호

Performance Comparison: Powder vs. ED Coating

Here’s how these two methods compare in the real-world performance of cargo bikes:

Real-World Scenario: Urban Family Cargo Bike

Let’s say you’re buying a Long John–style cargo bike to carry two children across the city every day. The bike may be parked outside at times, ridden through puddles, and subjected to regular bumps, road salt, and rain.

• With only powder coating, any small chip (from parking mishaps, curb impacts, or even cargo loading) can eventually expose raw metal, leading to rust.
• With only ED coating, your bike would be protected but lack the attractive finish and impact resistance needed for long-term aesthetics.

🔧 팁: If you’re evaluating different bike brands, ask whether the internal frame tubes are treated. It’s a small detail that can double the lifespan of a bike.

Need help picking a frame style? Read: 롱 존 카고 자전거란 무엇인가요?

Regen 02 전자화물 자전거

브랜드를 위한 컴팩트한 맞춤형 프론트로더를 찾고 계신가요?

과거 맞춤형 프로젝트를 통해 TÜV 테스트를 거쳤습니다. 공개적으로 사용 가능한 모델 - 구성 가능하고, 검증되었으며, 확장할 준비가 되어 있습니다.

자세히 알아보기

Why Regen Uses Both: Our Dual-Layer Approach

At Regen, we don’t believe in choosing between aesthetics and engineering.

We use a dual-layer coating system on all our aluminum cargo bike frames:

1. ED Coating Base Layer

Provides full-body coverage, inside and out—especially important for internal tubing, welds, and cutouts.

2. Powder Coating Top Layer

Applies colour, branding, UV protection, and outer shell durability (we use 100μm finishes for strength).

This approach ensures:

• >1,000 hours salt spray resistance
• Smooth surface without orange peel
• Longer frame lifespan with fewer cosmetic repairs

And it meets the latest EN 17860 cargo bike safety standard for corrosion and structural durability.

Buyer Tips: What to Ask When Choosing a Cargo Bike

Here are some smart questions to ask before buying:

1. What coating process is used?

If the manufacturer can’t answer or says “just powder coating,” ask what pretreatment is done underneath.

2. Is the inside of the frame treated?

This is especially critical for family and commercial use cargo bikes. Interior rust weakens the structure invisibly.

3. Is the paint layer thick enough?

Good powder coatings range from 80–120μm. Anything less may peel or chip too easily.

4. Has the coating passed salt spray tests?

500+ hours is decent. 1,000+ hours (like ours) is ideal for wet climates.

Learn More with Regen’s Related Guides:

• 프레임 재질 비교: 알루미늄 대 스틸 대...
• 화물 자전거 안전 표준: EN 17860
• 도시 가족을 위한 최고의 화물 자전거 정비 가이드
• Understanding Frame Geometry in Cargo Bikes

Final Thoughts: The Best Coating Is the Right Combination

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to frame finishing. But in our experience, powder coating and ED coating serve different but equally important roles. At Regen, we use both, because our riders—families, couriers, fleet operators—need bikes that hold up year after year.

If you’re building a cargo bike brand or planning a fleet, let’s talk. We offer ODM and OEM support that includes custom colour matching, logo finishes, and frame testing—all backed by our corrosion-proof dual-coating process.

Curious about other aspects of cargo bike durability? Read:

화물 자전거 적재 용량에 영향을 미치는 10가지 주요 요인

프레임 강도: 무엇이 내구성을 결정할까요?