Posted by dan [108.226.245.97] on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at 23:15:13 :
I wanted to post this due to alot of misunderstanding about powder coating.
I recently had almost an entire truck powder coated, with the exception of the body and engine, trans and transfer case, shocks and axles.
They can powder coat anything metal--as long as it's only metal--no rubber seals, no oil inside, etc.
The parts were all sandblasted prior. Oil was cleaned off, and the parts were taken to the coaters completely bare metal, not flashed with rust or having any oil on them.
The shop is here in Oakland, and has an excellent reputation. Frame included, it came to $2100., about 180 pieces.
Nuts and bolts were not included. They were wire wheeled then cadmium coated elsewhere.
The powder shop cleaned the metal again, masked off threads and mating surfaces and plugged holes with silicon plugs.
The result was impressive. The finish was tough, not chippable, and will make a fine finish coat.
To test it, I beat on a piece with a ball pein hammer for a while. No flakes, no chips. Mashed the coating a bit, but did not compromise it at all. My buddy, meanwhile, had his parts dipped at a strippers and then powder-coated somewhere else.
The result could not be more different. His powder was brittle, easily flaked and chipped off, and would not last under any hard use or impact.
What I have taken from this: Powder is one of the best coatings if it's done right. The powder is melted onto the metal, flows and covers the whole surface.It is superior to paint if it's done properly.
Doing it right consists of: Blasting or abrading the surface. Cleaning completely with lacquer thinner or similar and then a scrub with Simple Green or other grease remover. A quick trip to the coaters. He has to prep the items as well, sometimes including a pre-bake before application of powder and the final bake.
When the stuff comes back, it will be as good as powder can be.
On the rest of the parts, axles, engine, etc. I applied an epoxy paint. This is a two part 50/50 mix from Sherwin Williams, an industrial coating made for extreme applications--marine, etc.
Stuff stinks and is very thick. Goes on goopy. Not sprayable. We will need to sand it smooth before spraying the top coat later.
Good stuff, looks like it will withstand rock strikes and alot more, but too thick and what a pain.
I hope this helps. Your powder-coated parts should not be chipping, flaking when struck, etc. If they do, then there was a flaw in the process--probably in the prep.
Done properly, it is one of the best coatings available.
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