Drilling a powdercoated frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JVictor75 · 12-03-2012, 08:45 PM

I just picked up a freshly powder coated frame and am seriously contemplating picking up the No Limit bolt on rack and pinion.

There are a couple of other areas on the frame that I will need to grind/drill (where the front sway bar mounts go, for instance). <Edit: I bought the frame after it had been coated.>

My questions are as follows:

1. How badly am I going to screw up the powder by drilling thru it? Is this a case of just not doing it at all because it'll all just crack and peel off and end up looking like utter crap? Or if I'm careful will I be okay? (maybe)

2. How difficult/easy/expensive will it be to powdercoat things to match (silver vein with a coat of gloss clear over top)? I have BBC frame towers, shock mount re-locators front and rear, a tubular trans mount crossmember, etc.

Lee H · 12-03-2012, 09:09 PM

1, no problem

2, there is usually a lot or minimum charge, here in SoCal it's around $200 not including sand blasting or prep or special colors.
Posted via Mobile Device

**special-K** · 12-04-2012, 07:45 AM

I've seen powder coat explode off when drilled or cut,especially 2-stage. For me it's a crap shoot and my rule of thumb is get it how you want it,then powder coat/if already powder coated,live with it as is.

**Tom Vogel** · 12-04-2012, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I've seen powder coat explode off when drilled or cut,especially 2-stage. For me it's a crap shoot and my rule of thumb is get it how you want it,then powder coat/if already powder coated,live with it as is.

Hmm, well, every peice on my truck is powdercoated. Never had that happen. Peice of cake to drill it.

Portmod7 · 12-04-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee H

1, no problem

2, there is usually a lot or minimum charge, here in SoCal it's around $200 not including sand blasting or prep or special colors.
Posted via Mobile Device

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Hmm, well, every peice on my truck is powdercoated. Never had that happen. Peice of cake to drill it.

x2 on both of the above.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-04-2012, 01:00 PM

Drill it. Most times when stuff gets powder coated there are holles or threaded parts that get powder in them when the PC company misses plugging them. The holes become too small for the part that was meant to go in it, or the threads load up with powder so a not or bolt can't be threaded in. Both cases require drilling or tapping to fix. You will also need to grind a couple of bare spots in the frame so you have good grounding for the electrical systom. WES

12-03-2012, 08:45 PM	#1
JVictor75 Maintenance Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ US Posts: 213	Drilling a powdercoated frame? I just picked up a freshly powder coated frame and am seriously contemplating picking up the No Limit bolt on rack and pinion. There are a couple of other areas on the frame that I will need to grind/drill (where the front sway bar mounts go, for instance). <Edit: I bought the frame after it had been coated.> My questions are as follows: 1. How badly am I going to screw up the powder by drilling thru it? Is this a case of just not doing it at all because it'll all just crack and peel off and end up looking like utter crap? Or if I'm careful will I be okay? (maybe) 2. How difficult/easy/expensive will it be to powdercoat things to match (silver vein with a coat of gloss clear over top)? I have BBC frame towers, shock mount re-locators front and rear, a tubular trans mount crossmember, etc.

12-03-2012, 09:09 PM	#2
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,141	Re: Drilling a powdercoated frame? 1, no problem 2, there is usually a lot or minimum charge, here in SoCal it's around $200 not including sand blasting or prep or special colors. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

12-04-2012, 07:45 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Drilling a powdercoated frame? I've seen powder coat explode off when drilled or cut,especially 2-stage. For me it's a crap shoot and my rule of thumb is get it how you want it,then powder coat/if already powder coated,live with it as is. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-04-2012, 01:00 PM	#6
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Drilling a powdercoated frame? Drill it. Most times when stuff gets powder coated there are holles or threaded parts that get powder in them when the PC company misses plugging them. The holes become too small for the part that was meant to go in it, or the threads load up with powder so a not or bolt can't be threaded in. Both cases require drilling or tapping to fix. You will also need to grind a couple of bare spots in the frame so you have good grounding for the electrical systom. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys



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