Frame Restoration - Powder Coat or Paint

[the67Beast]

I am certainly not to this point yet with my truck, but what are the pros and cons of each frame restoration method. Powdercoat the frame or utilize primer, Por15 and paint in my own shop? I have always painted the frames on my previous projects and had fantastic results, but powder coating seems more durable. What do ya'll think???

[JustToxic]

We've done both, powder coat and paint. For longevity paint seems to work the best in our case. The powder coat we found with slight frame flex and such tends to crack over time and you get scuff marks and what not that you can't touch up with paint. The last frame/roll cage I used VHT chassis paint, thing is beat on all the time and it holds up great. Guy I work with just redid his frame on a 1983 Toyota Pickup 4x4 with Por15 and it turned out great. Both are easy to touch up.

[dfwright]

Powder coated frames look AMAZING when done right. On the other hand paint, even Por-15 can be touched up easier. If you decide to use POR-15, be sure to follow the instructions to the letter to avoid having it peel off in sheets later.

[Harrison.]

I've built cars/trucks with both and I personally like paint. I'm in the same mindset as JustToxic, I've had powdercoat crack and lift over time from flex, and once any part of the powdercoat is compromised the area around it will be more prone to lifting. I also like paint because if you're like me, I always scratch or nick the coating somewhere when reassembling and it's easy to dab some paint on. Powdercoating is harder to fix. Just my two cents.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

By advice I'm using Masters Series. I've never heard of any problems using the product. Edit: Wear protection.

Two coats of primer and a top coat satin black. You can spray or brush it on, and from 1-2 great sources the results are great either way. They use the stuff on bridges. I believe at least the primer is near scratch proof. Sounds to me it's more durable than automotive paint or powder.

It applies on rust or steel similar POR-15. Apparently the more humid the better for curing. We're dry as heck, but per Masters that's not an issue. I don't have a rust issue either, but unless someone convinces me otherwise I plan on using it.

[davepl]

I went powder, and it's been 4-5 years (not harsh years mind you) and all is well. Still looks like new.

If you have a LOT of spare time, I had my Pontiac frame restored when it was done at MCR. It involves skim-coating and block sanding the whole thing, which is a ton of work, but it looks like a brand new, crisp stamping. I hate the "no expense spared" restorations with all pitted frames and control arms, etc...

But anyway, I'd think POR-15 or a good primer/paint like DP90LF would be good too.

My personal feeling is "it's all in the prep" and the prep where I had mine powder coated included a pre-bake, acid pressure wash, some other steps, rinsing... so it forced it to be done right (as opposed to maybe cutting some corners if you do it yourself because it's a lot of work to do that level of prep at home).

[Harrison.]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

By advice I'm using Masters Series. I've never heard of any problems using the product. Edit: Wear protection.

Two coats of primer and a top coat satin black. You can spray or brush it on, and from 1-2 great sources the results are great either way. They use the stuff on bridges. I believe at least the primer is near scratch proof. Sounds to me it's more durable than automotive paint or powder.

It applies on rust or steel similar POR-15. Apparently the more humid the better for curing. We're dry as heck, but per Masters that's not an issue. I don't have a rust issue either, but unless someone convinces me otherwise I plan on using it.

This is what I use too, I love the stuff!

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by the67Beast

I am certainly not to this point yet with my truck, but what are the pros and cons of each frame restoration method. Powdercoat the frame or utilize primer, Por15 and paint in my own shop? I have always painted the frames on my previous projects and had fantastic results, but powder coating seems more durable. What do ya'll think???

Paint it . powder coat is for garage queens ,chips ,lifts, hard to touch up . From the picture I saw of your truck I'd bet all it needs is a good cleaning and a good paint product . Just my .02

[71BUCKET]

Wanted to powder mine for durability. Glad I painted it now, no frills and functional.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Harrison.

This is what I use too, I love the stuff!

I revisited an old thread where a brush was recommended over a gun, which suits me fine, because I'm pretty good with a brush. That and you can take more time to do it right. Guy at Master Series sprays his in the driveway. Either works, but I can see why a brush is better. Foam brushes I hear. I'll use those with good brushes. Looking forward to it. Should be there Sept. - Oct.

Word is if you spray without a respirator you're dead. I'll be using one with the brushes.

[Tdrcreyn4]

Subbed

[the67Beast]

Thanks for all the feed back guys! I will probably go with a good primer and paint when I get that far.

Thanks again!!!

[67swb72klb]

If you go with Epoxy its one step...Done

[franken]

The allure of PC is other people do in and its done.
The dark side is damage it (and you will) and you're back to paint.

[sprint_9]

I went powder on mine, it looks fantastic. Time will tell how it holds up, my truck will be a fair weather weekend driver, so I think it will last a while due to this alone. My powder coater used a primer under the powder, not sure exactly what it is for a primer but i believe its some form of epoxy. This offers another layer of protection and hopefully adhesion.

I think the key to powder is finding a good coater, alot of guys can do it and make it look good, the good ones can do that and have it last.

One of the main reasons I went powder was ease, that and I couldnt really find anyone to blast my frame, all the blasters powder coat, so for a couple hundred dollars more I had the whole works done.

If I had someone to blast, and had somewhere to spray in the winter, I would have went with SPI epoxy. This was my first choice as that epoxy is amazing stuff, Ive used it on some small projects before and am really impressed with it. Im probably using it on most of my body panels.

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by davepl

I went powder, and it's been 4-5 years (not harsh years mind you) and all is well. Still looks like new.

If you have a LOT of spare time, I had my Pontiac frame restored when it was done at MCR. It involves skim-coating and block sanding the whole thing, which is a ton of work, but it looks like a brand new, crisp stamping. I hate the "no expense spared" restorations with all pitted frames and control arms, etc...

But anyway, I'd think POR-15 or a good primer/paint like DP90LF would be good too.

My personal feeling is "it's all in the prep" and the prep where I had mine powder coated included a pre-bake, acid pressure wash, some other steps, rinsing... so it forced it to be done right (as opposed to maybe cutting some corners if you do it yourself because it's a lot of work to do that level of prep at home).

I wanted to go the PC route but knew they wouldn't get it the way I wanted it and I had a lot of pitting. I had it blasted and put epoxy on it , then SlickSand by Evercoat(post #27 thru page 4 in my Doc & Kim build a lot of that ended up on the floor) another coat of epoxy and then top coat with Chassis Black Satin from Eastwood lots a work but I'm happy with it and saved lots of $$$$ .....good luck when you get there

[LS short box]

Just a note in regards to powder coat.

Powder coat doesn't like sharp edges. If you have the time knock the sharp edges off the frame with a sander.

Also don't use lock washers. Lock washers crack the powder and allow moisture in and start rust.

And check the type of powder the are using. Some are better than others. Get the manufacture and part number and do some research.

We build commercial equipment and we powder coat everything. Some have been in heavy wash down conditions for years and have held up well.

[Spf79]

Personal experience, and I dont have a lot... I like powder coat for the show queen/ice cream getter/weekend toy. It just has a different look to it that makes it look like high end finish work. I'm not a big fan of cutting and buffing a frame that had been painted. I always end up with over spray.

If I am driving it and using it as the vehicle was intended... I like paint, you will get chips and it is easier to touch up to prevent rust. Although I did notice that rustoleum satin black does match the semi gloss black powder coat pretty well. The powder coat will crack around the crossmember rivets from frame flex... and it will scratch really good if you drop the motor/tranny on it, by accident of course. The cherry picker jack was a bit more touchy than I remembered.

Once you do the proper prep, chemical/sand blast, and then spend the time painting it correctly... I think you might be the same dollar wise. Depends what your time is worth, you may have more money into a painted frame.