I'm going with the powdercoat. I had a Harley frame done gloss black over six years ago and there is not a single chip anywhere. It does get dull looking like any other paint, but a little wax and it looks like new again. It's not bulletproof, it will scratch but I've had no chipping problems. Matter of fact, I had a hard time grinding it off in certain places for battery grounds and such when I put the bike together. Frame and swingarm done, they sandblasted everything and masked all the bolt holes and coated it for 140.00. This was a few years back but it was cheaper than paint.