Thread: Chassis Saver vs Powder Coat on my 37 Roadmaster frame?

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This subject has been discussed at length over the past few years, with pro's & con's debated over and over. Here's a link to an initial search of "posts" subject "powder coating" - http://www.clubhotrod.com/search.php?searchid=514883 where you can read some of the past discussions.

You live in Colorado, with the associated chemicals used throughout the winter for snow/ice melt, and IMO that is one of the biggest factors in the decision of coatings. You mention "Chassis Saver", which is one of the "one step, paint over rust" products. To powder coat you're going to be sending the bare frame and all associated hardware (fully disassembled) to a shop to be media blasted down to bare, clean metal, right? Seems to me that you're at opposing ends of the spectrum - Chassis Saver for the quick & dirty, paint over problems approach vs powder coating which requires total disassembly.

Regardless, I'm a fan of thorough cleaning, epoxy primer which binds to the metal, and two or three coats of your final paint color. My experiences with powder have been bad, but likely due to poor surface prep on factory coatings. If I lived in an area where it never gets below 35F I might change my mind, but I will never powder coat a chassis or any part that might flex. Any flaw (coating crack, deep scratch, etc) that lets moisture in lets rust start, and it can migrate beneath the coating undetected. Others here disagree, and can show examples of powder coated parts that have lasted for many years in severe service.