Powdercoating!!!!

[bllabong89]

So I have a question but I don't want this to be just another thread that gets started for one question and wastes peoples time. I didn't find any threads dedicated to powdercoating so if this doesnt get locked, we could make this one. If you have questions about anything, throw them out here and we can see if we can get some answered.

And for a little info(please correct me if I am wrong):
-Powdercoating is a stronger solution to regular 1,2 or 3 stage painting in most cases

-I have heard powdercoating wheels will make them weaker from the reaction to the extreme heat conditions of the oven.

-Powdercoating uses a flow of electricity thru the metal to attract the paint to the product. You attach a ground cable and a power cable to the product or the tray it is sitting on and when you spray the powder from the gun, It has a magnet effect to the product to adhere. You then put the product in the oven to let the powder cure.

-When spraying powder on the product, it is very hard to make it "run" due to the powder being dry and easier to control.

-The powder will look dull until it is thrown into the oven to cure. Once it has cured, it will look glossy according to the type of powder and color you have chosen(black, flat black, gloss etc...)

-Harbor Freight has a powdercoating kit but it is usually wise to spend more money than $20 that has to deal with important steps to looking good. Check out Eastwood's kit and shop around before deciding on one just because of the price.


My question is will the heat from powdercoating my sway bars alter their properties and make them weaker?



Feel free to also post up pics of your powdercoating adventures or products and let us know of your experience and where it was done.

Thanks,
Andrew

[DanThaMan]

as far as I know, it wouldn't affect the strength of wheels or any metal part. Usually powder coating cures at like 400 degrees at most I think. That waaaay too low to alter the structure of aluminum or steel...someone correct me if I am wrong though, I am not a metallurgist.

[Dammitboy]

Regarding cast aluminum, you typically pre-bake your part before PC'ing. This will outgass any pockets in the substrate. This in itself can marginally weaken the part. I won't PC wheels, but have seen plenty of other people do it, you just have to be comfortable with it. Forged aluminum is another story.

[pj]

this is a greath thread, summit racing has a powdercoating kit as well, lots of colors. i was thinking of picking one up when i get around to buying wheels so i can do whatever color id like.
good info, im curious about the heat in reference to different types of wheels and their construction also.

[bllabong89]

Yea, I believe I saw the reference to powder coating wheels on zilvia in the crazy offset wheel thread or something. I could be wrong but who knows until some metallurgist corrects us

[White Comet]

hopefully i get a response in here and in not bumping an old thread for nothing.

Does anyone have any idea in the slightest what powder coating a rail would cost?

[FattyMcBaggins]

A rail? Depends on what exactly it is...I had my VQ35 valve cover, and a bunch of smaller brackets and such powdercoated plus an extra coat of clear and it was about $250. Well worth it...the stuff would've already scuffed and scratched so much if I had just painted it all.

[White Comet]

pretty much this exact rail except its just metal colored
http://www.godspeedproject.com/store/im ... /s13fr.jpg

[FattyMcBaggins]

As long as you have them mask the holes and such, I don't see how it would cost you more than $100, probably more like 50-75, only if they have a shop minimum. If there's a minimum, find a few more engine pieces to coat

[White Comet]

they have a minimum of $45 i just wanted to check and see how fair that is. I'm gonna see if I can get a discount though

[OutToWinPAHC]

Depends on the color stages on it Jeff. I'd say like 20-50 bucks. Talk to LPC

[94_240sx]

Recently I heard about this Cerama-Chrome coating. Maybe it's another option to look at.

http://irperformance.com/?page_id=113

[Hijacker]

When I used TRG to powder coat my SR valve cover, they charged around $65 plus shipping. TRG also does a lot of prep work for coating an item. Usually they degrease in a hot tank, then media blast, then wipe the part down with more solvent, and they will pre-bake some items that need it. I have always appreciated a shop that takes pride in their ability to do good prep work, because 90% of the paint job is what you do with the item before you lay the paint or powder. Also, don't buy cheap powder. The shop I work in skimps on prep and powder quality, and we get some pretty bad results. But it's industrial application stuff, so they're not worried about a show quality finish. I just hate that a piece of cardboard will scratch our stuff