Thread: Powder coat or not??.

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Thanks Roger.I'll take a peek.I would take the sub frame to a company in SYR,NY that has a oven big enough to handle the sub frame.So it would be pro applied if powder coating is the route I take.They told me most of the costs is the set-up so to add pcs really doesn't cost that much more.

Gary in my opinion powder coating is good for small bits as its easy to redo, I would never do a frame as it can rust underneath and its a bitch to get off again, My mate is a powder coater of some 30 years experience and advised against it on frames. HTH

Powdercoating is like doing a paint job. The job done depends on the prep work before. My buddy has a powdercoating business and has done plenty of stuff for me. He always makes sure the parts are bead blasted clean and pre heated for better adhesion. Pre heating most all parts is really the secret. It allows for any porosity in the metal to dissipate out so when the powder is applied, it flows on nice and smooth and is bonded to the metal.
If a scratch or chip does happen on anything coated you can touch it up with paint to stop any moisture from creating rust as well.

Originally Posted by 1gary

Thanks Roger.I'll take a peek.I would take the sub frame to a company in SYR,NY that has a oven big enough to handle the sub frame.So it would be pro applied if powder coating is the route I take.They told me most of the costs is the set-up so to add pcs really doesn't cost that much more.

Gary, it may be nothing, but if I heard those words I would run the other way, fast! As some of the other guys have said, the key is in the prep, and that's also the biggest part of the cost - manhours to media blast, de-grease, and clean, clean, clean before the powder application. They indeed try to get several jobs with common color (only one color can be sprayed in the area at a time) to maximize their efficiency and use of time, but that process saves them money, not the customer. I would be fearful of anyone that says "bring me more pieces and I can just slide them in to bake at the same time." The only break a customer might get is a small share of the oven time - still has to be prepped right or it will not hold up. Just my opinion, and I'm with Steve & Trjohn57 on this issue. Coat things you won't mind taking off to be fixed later.