Thread: Powdercoating verus Chrome???

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.....Hi everyone, I need to make a decission on what to powdercoat & what color to do it. Also I might add some chrome. I realize now I should have just ordered my chassis with a chrome front end but I guess this is an example of changing one's mind??? Anyway, is there a powdercoating that looks anything like chrome??? Also does anyone have any pictures of silver powdercoating??? What are you folks views on powdercoating verus chrome??? Thanks Bill

eatstwood has a powder i think its called mostly chrome, but its not super shiny, i heard they were coming out with a better one

Powdercoating doesn't cause hydrogen embrittlement like chrome does, so it's better on stressed parts. Stands up to road rash better, too, I think.

Have it galvanized

Sort of depends on the look you want. If the bright, reflective quality of Chrome is what you want there is no substitute...........yet. Powdercoats look good in their own right and are durable and, imho, are easier to maintain in the long run than chrome. If you're mixing parts that are polished stainless in the same area, chrome would be a closer look. Hydrogen embriddlement is an issue, all the more reason to find a quality/knowledgeable plater instead of one of those "gypsy" swapmeet types who may or maynot know what to do. If the plater bakes off the hydrogen it's no longer an issue, but that's an extra step that the quick and dirty bumper specialists can't and won't do.

One more note for either plating or powder coating, make sure you plug/mask, or insist at your direction, any threaded or tight clearance holes. Saves a bunch of headache later at reassembly.

One more option is coming on, vacuum metalizing. This is a variation on how plastic parts have been plated in the past, and has some similarities to powder coating. By chance the guys a Rod & Custom (see the Dec 06 issue) have just put up an article on the process. Looks very promising and doesn't have the hydrogen embrittlement issue.

The chrome powder coat is used quite a bit in open wheel dirt track racing,I know a guy who has his chassis done in it,and you see it alot on front axles.
It holds up reasonably well but it seems to dull out some over a seasons racing.
The stuff I've seen looks better than any other imitation chrome Iv'e ever seen,but I kinda understand that the dulling is UV related .

Hal, you are correct regarding the UV issue with powders. There are "outdoor" powders that are more UV resistant (used for things like park benches and swing sets) but the flashy colors like chrome are typically not made for long term outdoor use.

Bob's vacuum deposition reference is used on Edelbrock manifolds, one supplier is called PermaStar http://www.goodrichtechnology.com/

Right now, their largest chamber is roughly big enough to do wheels....no axles or frames yet. I called them to find info about doing Ford I-beam axles and they said they would sell a set of the equipment and the franchise for only $1 million.....kinda pricey for doing 1 car so I told them to call me back when they could do a beam axle.......

mike in tucson

I saw a display car at Daytona a few years ago where many of the chassis components were done with a similar product to HPC coating. They did the front suspension, rear suspension, driveshaft, etc., and it really looked good. If their product is as durable as HPC brand it would hold up well, my Limefire headers were done 15 years ago or so, and are still rust free.

The one at Daytona was sort of the metalizing process you guys have mentioned, and was stainless steel based, I think. Maybe just another option.

Don

Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Hi everyone, I need to make a decission on what to powdercoat & what color to do it. Also I might add some chrome. I realize now I should have just ordered my chassis with a chrome front end but I guess this is an example of changing one's mind??? Anyway, is there a powdercoating that looks anything like chrome??? Also does anyone have any pictures of silver powdercoating??? What are you folks views on powdercoating verus chrome??? Thanks Bill

Ceramic coating has a look that's similar to chrome., but the surface has less bling. It's often used on headers to simulate chrome, without the turning blue. I think it's applied like powdercoating, and priced somewhere between powdercoating and chrome plating.

Originally Posted by robot

Right now, their largest chamber is roughly big enough to do wheels....no axles or frames yet. I called them to find info about doing Ford I-beam axles and they said they would sell a set of the equipment and the franchise for only $1 million.....kinda pricey for doing 1 car so I told them to call me back when they could do a beam axle.......

mike in tucson

Initially I didn't want to imply a sole source but you might want to check with the folks highlighted in the R&C article;
www.vacuummetalcoating.com

There is also a chemical plating process (electroless) that would sidestep the issue of hydrogen embrittlement.

Thanks, Bob, you must have taken a "shine" to this process

......I just want to Thank Everyone for their responses ... This is what I've decided to do. Chrome on the; Viper hairpin bars, panhard bar, drag link, pitman arm & shackles, perches, tie rod, front shocks, lower shock mounts & lower steering arms {aka; 'Chrome front end option'}.... Everything else will be powdercoated Black, frame, rear end, front axle, etc..... I'm not big on polishing chrome but want at least a little bit to contrast with the black paint.... I did read about the Vacuum Metal Coating process in Rod & Custom. At this time the 'chamber' that they do the process in is 12" x 44". I was thinking in the future when they can do larger parts I'd give it a 'shot' on my front axle, rear axle housing, etc..... Yeah, chrome WITHOUT upkeep is MY kind of finish /./... Bill
ps, it's www.vacuummetalcoating.com 714-432-8348

There was a powder coat booth at the recent bikes on Broad, In Columbus Georgia last month. Turns out it was a dude I used to work with and knew. Anyway, he has a very nice two-step poweder coat process which produces a very near chrome shine. I would highly recommend it for anything low on the chassy which you don't want to polish. Remember also, powder coat holds the rust off much better than chrome.