I guess I shouldn't have assumed ... sorry about that. I just know from past experience, and having a family member who previously owned a powder coating business ... everything is disassembled so it can go through the cleaning process before it's coated and baked. Holes are plugged so as not to change the diameter for bolts, nuts, etc. after the coating is complete. If someone did it without taking it apart, maybe there's some newer technology out there that allows it.
All good ... bottom line is, it sure looks great & I am hoping to get it done!