Thread: Opinions on Type/ Brand of paint for your Chassis

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Just wanted to see what everyone used for painting their chassis.

Had mine powder coated

I usually use single stage with a good hardener. Quite durable yet easy to touch up all the rock chips and stuff a frame gets.... I've also done frames with BC/CC, really makes a good lookin' frame!

I`ve heard a lot of people using John Deere blitze black, durable...

X 2 Powdercoat

Fter using it on mine, I really like the por-15. Nut you have to do all 3 steps and don't get it on your hands, takes forever to get off

We're painting them less and less. Powdercoating is just so much easier, you drop the parts off and a week later you pick them up all done. The cost is very close by the time you factor in all the stuff you use to do the job, not to mention the time involved. On some where the frame shows and needs a lot of filler though sometimes painting still has some advantages, although you can fill and sand a frame using something like Tiger Drylac if you don't mind the tough sanding job and expense.

Don

I'll offer my snow belt comment again. If you live in an area where snow/ice melt chemicals are used and you ever intend to drive in the winter when roads may be treated you may want to think hard before using powder coating. It is a thin film with very little flex, and if you get any flaw like a rock chip, scratch, gap at a inside corner, etc, that lets moisture in your frame will rust beneath the coating and you may not know it until the damage is extensive. It is interesting (to me) that everyone high on powder coating is in a sun belt area with little or no snow threat.

I use eastwoods spray chassis black . Have also used brush applied. I think the blitz black is to dull for the frame. .But then I'm kinda the same way

Originally Posted by rspears

I'll offer my snow belt comment again. If you live in an area where snow/ice melt chemicals are used and you ever intend to drive in the winter when roads may be treated you may want to think hard before using powder coating. It is a thin film with very little flex, and if you get any flaw like a rock chip, scratch, gap at a inside corner, etc, that lets moisture in your frame will rust beneath the coating and you may not know it until the damage is extensive. It is interesting (to me) that everyone high on powder coating is in a sun belt area with little or no snow threat.

I would respectfully disagree

The main benefit to powder coating is that it is applied at a higher film build than paint typically, on frames we usually apply between 3-5 mils. paint is usually considerably thinner than that.

The main advantage to powder coat vs most paints is it's flexibility.
I have on many occasion bent test panels past 90* befor any type of de lamination begins. most paints will not do this... not even close

No matter the coating, once the coating is scratched to the substrate, the potential for rust and corrosion to begin is greatly increased.

I live in the snow belt, exposed to the chems, and conditions you speak of, and am personally happy with the results I have with powder coated parts.

I must also say there is always more than one way to skin a cat.... or build a car. We all do what we know is the best for our cars, and budget.
I also realize that powder coat is not for everyone, I figured since it's what I do I would try to dispel a few myths

Respectfully
Josh

We've begun to have more and more parts powder coated vs painting them ourselves, even tiny ones that are hidden. For one thing, it is so much more convenient.......by the time you drag out the paint equipment, shoot it, then have to clean the gun and left overs, it is a real pain. Secondly, I think it is just as cheap to have them coated by the time you factor in primer, paint, reducers, lacquer thinner for cleanup, etc. With powder coating we just drop the parts off and a couple weeks later pick up a nice part that was sandblasted first, and is now all done.

I had a bunch of parts powder coated this time around on my 27 rebuild, and they are much easier to wipe down than the frame, which I sprayed black.

Don

Don i'm not a fan of powder coat, my mate who is a powder coater advises against coating a chassis because it can rust behind and creep underneath.
I've always used basecoat and clear and it lasts.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

We're painting them less and less. Powdercoating is just so much easier, you drop the parts off and a week later you pick them up all done. The cost is very close by the time you factor in all the stuff you use to do the job, not to mention the time involved. On some where the frame shows and needs a lot of filler though sometimes painting still has some advantages, although you can fill and sand a frame using something like Tiger Drylac if you don't mind the tough sanding job and expense.

Don

It sure is easier Don but if it does start peeling its a bitch to get off again, probably something to do with climate but powder coating on frames does't seem to do well here in england, I much prefer Epoxy primer and 2K topcoat. Its always served me well.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

We're painting them less and less. Powdercoating is just so much easier, you drop the parts off and a week later you pick them up all done. The cost is very close by the time you factor in all the stuff you use to do the job, not to mention the time involved. On some where the frame shows and needs a lot of filler though sometimes painting still has some advantages, although you can fill and sand a frame using something like Tiger Drylac if you don't mind the tough sanding job and expense.

Don

Originally Posted by tudorkeith

Fter using it on mine, I really like the por-15. Nut you have to do all 3 steps and don't get it on your hands, takes forever to get off

I heard por-15 is tough to work with. Did you brush it on or spray it. I have the chassis and suspension that needs to get painted. I feel overwhelmed!!!

My frame was rusty. Por 15 did the trick, it's relatively cheap considering other options, but bonds great to the metal(and your hands!) A pint did my whole frame. If your looking for a professional, show quality , you might consider powder coating or some of the other stuff mentioned above.