Do you have a powdercoated frame? Any regrets?

[DeadheadNM]

Chasing opinions from folks who have a powdercoated frame. Has the powder coating held up? Any regrets? Would you go with powdercoat again? Thanks, Pete

[68bowtie]

i had one. didn't like it. it makes it difficult to do even small mods and touch ups. it's very hard and thick. great for a picnic bench. not my truck.

[chewychevy67]

I'm subscribed. I am not finished my truck yet but had my chassis and most small parts that are black powdered. Interested to see what everyone has to say.

[Blue/72]

We did it to our 69 c10 including the diff and all the suspension components. So far I have lived it and have no regrets. Looks great, cleans really easily and very durable

[special-K]

A good question to ask is how long, how much use, and how many miles. Another consideration is show or go? I have been powder coating parts for 30 or more years, but never a frame. The show trucks I did would never hurt the painted frame or ever look anything less than fresh, and the ones I've run it really didn't matter how pretty the frame was. My concern is anywhere it gets rubbed through or pops loose from fasteners water can get behind and be trapped. An example is the cross bars on ladder racks. After sliding aluminum walk board off for a few years, the top edge on the front bar wore through. Although the coating is bonded to the steel, that edge facing up allowed water to slowly work it's way in. It was a long time before I saw, while still looking good from the ground, from above that the entire front surface was sitting apart from the steel. When I went to strip, alter and re-coat the rack for another truck the front edge of the bar was pitted so bad it was nearly rusted through. I cut it out and replaced before new coating went on.

This isn't a typical application for most old trucks and not on a chassis. But, it was out in the open where I was able to eventually notice. I'd hate to have a breach up under the truck where I'd never know till something gave out.

My Harley frame is powder coated from factory and I have made alterations requiring welding. I have successfully stripped the work area clean, welded, and paint back with gloss black and you would never know looking at it. That was 20 years ago and the paint still looks as good as the powder coat... still can't tell.

[68is4me]

^x2 If it is going to be a show truck powder coat, if a daily driver paint.

I was in the same debate. The thing that swayed my decision is that I plan on driving it and paint is easier to touch up. I painted my frame and installed some powder coated things, cross members, and had the control arms powder coated. I already have some chips on the powder coated stuff and has not even left the shop yet. But it was also done 5 years ago.

I think this has been a long debate and I am sure you will get 100 different answers. It really comes down to what you want.

[davepl]

Fancy truck, powder coat. Daily driver, paint it.

I have powder and no regrets. The little areas I've had to modify (like a ground screw for trailer wiring) it does take a few seconds with a grinding disc to hit bare metal, because it is indeed tough stuff. Then I shoot a little touchup black and you never see it.

I was worried I'd run into issue with changed clearances, bad grounds, plugged up bolt holes, and so on, but there have been zero powder complications so far.

Two benefits of the powder process are the baking and the prep. For mine they pre-baked it to get rid of any oils and then did the caustic soda steam clean, so it was squeaky clean. I probably could have shot it with PPG DP90 and it'd be almost as tough if you could replicate the prep at home!

If powdercoating, make sure your frame will fit! My local one has a giant oven, but not every powdercoater can take a Longhorn frame into their oven.

[Jrainman]

The key to going with powder coating Is how clean you can get the part , also the quality of the Powder , yes Like paint there is cheep powder and expensive powder

for me after researching there were to many variables for thing to go wrong when dealing with a 50 a year old frame .if its new metal then yes .

after much reseach I chose to paint, but use the same process and products as Catterpillar equipment uses and the US Army,Airforce and Navy

[D.PASSMORE]

My DD Blazer frame.
Sandblasted, epoxy primer and the then polyurethane gloss black. After 6 years of everyday driving, off road 'in and beach patrol, no cracks chipping or rust. still wipes gloss back.
I did it myself, so you will need the tools.

Products:

Transtar - 2K Epoxy Black Primer/Sealer #6164 / TRANSTAR 6144 Epoxy Primer Activator: 50/50 mix

Nason ful-thane urethane gloss back (single stage)

[RodnRudy]

I wouldn't powder coat a daily driver frame. As an example, I had a hitch on my 95 Chevy truck that was powder coated from the factory. It was starting to peel and flake off so I took it off and had it sand blasted. When I got it back I couldn't believe the amount of rust pitting under the powder coat where the moisture had crept in.

[oldertruckfan]

I'm currently in the process of doing my frame. I went with Imron liquid paint . Mine will be a daily type driver.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks for the replies guys! Lots of helpful insight. I'm at the front end of a slow rebuild of a 72 Blazer ( http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 ) that will be driven but won't be a daily driver. I'm happy with how the painted frame turned out on my k20 build but want to give some serious thought to powdercoating. There are some items I will likely powdercoat like the inner fenders, battery tray, and rad support. Just had hood hinges and hood latches replated black phosphate.

Dave that frame looks great! Thanks

[midniteblues]

Originally Posted by oldertruckfan

I'm currently in the process of doing my frame. I went with Imron liquid paint . Mine will be a daily type driver.

Thats what i used i got some for free from the reading truck body plant.

It is industrial paint and very tough.
i was gonna pc. but free paint quickly changed my direction.

In the end i'm glad i painted it. I changed way too many things afterwards for pc. And touch ups are easy. I just brush touch ups on and it "allmost" dissapears.

[BILT4ME]

A related question I have is:

How far so you disassemble the frame and components to do the painting or powder coating? Do you remove the springs, axles, engine, and every bolt, nut, and screw? What about suspension bushings?

What temp does a PC booth heat to? Will it damage any rubber suspension bushings left in place?

[BossHogg69]

400* is what my local guy told me. I've always completed disassembled everything I've ever taken in (frame, all suspension parts, 3rd member, various engine parts, brake calipers, fuel tank etc.)

[davepl]

Originally Posted by BILT4ME

A related question I have is:

How far so you disassemble the frame and components to do the painting or powder coating? Do you remove the springs, axles, engine, and every bolt, nut, and screw? What about suspension bushings?

What temp does a PC booth heat to? Will it damage any rubber suspension bushings left in place?

I took everything off that could be taken off. I did NOT de-rivet the frame and don't recommend people do it... some drill out the rivets and later rebolt them, but I didn't.

Otherwise I went down to the two bare rails.

[BILT4ME]

Originally Posted by davepl

I took everything off that could be taken off. I did NOT de-rivet the frame and don't recommend people do it... some drill out the rivets and later rebolt them, but I didn't.

Otherwise I went down to the two bare rails.

Good God! Your garage is cleaner and nicer than my Living Room!