Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arms?

[PAUL161]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

doing myself.

For those who say that my time is costing me more than paying someone to powder coat, I understand that while I charge anywhere from $200 to $300 per hour for my work work, the work I do on my cars is a hobby that I enjoy more than watching sports on TV, so I don't consider my time as part of the cost of doing hobby work on my cars...or yardwork, fishing, etc....to each his own.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Bruce, you aren't my dentist are you? </span>

 

[WA1KWA]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

Scott makes a good point about plugging threaded holes, etc. when you powder coat. The Eastwood https://www.eastwoodco.com/ kits come with plastic plugs for this. Of course, if you have it done professionally, I'm sure they will take care of that.

I've heard good about POR15, there is a caveat. DO NOT get this stuff anywhere on you, it's a real bear to get off, unlike conventional paint.

Colin

 

[dklawson]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

I've heard good about POR15, there is a caveat. DO NOT get this stuff anywhere on you, it's a real bear to get off, unlike conventional paint.
Colin

I've worn my share of POR before. I wear rubber gloves and work more carefully these days.

I think all the posts above echo one theme, that all the coatings have their merits and in some areas, one coating has an advantage over the others.

I used to work for a company that powder coated all the equipment we sold. Powder coat was great (as stated above) until the coating chipped. Where we had problems was under each and every bolt head. I got into the habit of calling for nylon washers under all the fasteners I used to attach covers and guards. Obviously that wasn't acceptable where strength was required. On car parts where bolts have to be tightened securely in place, I tend to stick with POR so I don't have to deal with the chipping. However, there are places where powder coating just looks better.

 

[vping]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

I did it for the roadster and also the GT - which needs to be installed. It's clean durable and reall purty to look at when I'm down there. Sorry for the Greasy engine and body. That engine is going to be pulled and replaced soon.

 

[Steve_S]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

Scott makes a good point about plugging threaded holes, etc. when you powder coat.

Any powder coat shop worth their weight will plug all threaded holes. You should never need to clean them out. They should also mask any holes or surfaces you specify.

I've heard good about POR15, there is a caveat. DO NOT get this stuff anywhere on you, it's a real bear to get off, unlike conventional paint.

True! The instructions say nothing will take it off and I've found they are right. Takes over a week before POR will let go of your skin unless you take drastic measures.

 

[WA1KWA]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

Then again, as a CABCO, I've used mostly semi gloss black Rustoleum under my B with good results.

Colin

 

[jlaird]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

I also use Gloss Black Rustoleum on Miss Agatha. Why, it's cheep and I can do it here at the house. Oh yea, I expect it will last my lifetime and then some.

 

[saltshaker]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

What is POR 15??

 

[Jagboy69]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

POR "Paint Over Rust" it's a paint that "can" be applied over rusty crap to stop the rusting process.POR 15 web site
I'm a hammer rite fan personally. Same idea.

I prefer powder coating myself. However. If you're not looking to show concours you might also consider nickel plating. This looks really sharp on suspension and will continue to do so for 20years. I'd PC all the parts that do not flex. PC on springs might not last that long with the bouncing. Things like the A arms, brackets ect will look fine for a very long time if done in Powder coating. Being concerned with rock chips is sorta understandable. Then again, if your suspension is pelleted with stones, so will the bonnet and wings too. You won't care what it looks like below because the top half will be trashed too.

(just providing some levity here)

 

[Spinal_Tap]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

I've heard good about POR15, there is a caveat. DO NOT get this stuff anywhere on you, it's a real bear to get off, unlike conventional paint.

Colin

Just don't get it anywhere you don't want it. I sitll have a couple of spills on my garage floor! They've lasted just fine for the last couple of years! No sign of rust! But if my concrete were rusting... Well, I'd be worried!

 

[V6MGB]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

I have used both and have to side with the powder coating.
I also used a similar approach outlined by Kimberly above to keep costs down.
I used a place which make fences and gates and had the whole coated after welding.
The only downside was the time taken but some organisation can get this down as well.
The real key to p/c is the skill of the operator.
Keep in mind too that p/c is around 210 degrees so anything likely to be heat affected will need to be removed and re installed later.

Good luck with whichever way you decide to go.

Cheers , Pete.

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

Only problem I have with powder coating is that it chips...I can repair scratches & chips in paint but not in powder coating!

 

[V6MGB]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

Tony,
Powder chips can be repaired by a (very) skilled operator BUT it is not easy and of course the item needs to be removed and replaced and taken apart if needed.

Some places simply refuse to even quote on the job and those who will do it will often charge the cost of a full job for a chip repair.

Cheers , Pete.

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

Tony,
Powder chips can be repaired by a (very) skilled operator BUT it is not easy and of course the item needs to be removed and replaced and taken apart if needed.

Some places simply refuse to even quote on the job and those who will do it will often charge the cost of a full job for a chip repair.

Cheers , Pete.

Like I said....

 

[Steve_S]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

And I said it 11 days, 1 page and 21 posts ago. Seems this topic is going in circles! Nothing new on a car forum of course. :hammer:

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

And I said it 11 days, 1 page and 21 posts ago. Seems this topic is going in circles! Nothing new on a car forum of course. :hammer:

Steve - you mean we agree? hehehehe

 

[bob67bgt]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

One of the problems with black powder is its not very black. When you put it up to real black it looks different. The factory probably sprayed some cheap black over bare metal. How many suspension parts have rotted away? Most of us do not drive out cars in salt or beat them as every day drivers. What ever you put on (if the surface is prepped proper ) will be fine. How about touch up the chips in powder with por 15? That should make everyone happy! Now off to the Metrolina MG club Xmas breakfast then a 4 day MG run to the coast! I will probably not even look under the BGT to see how many chips are under there. Drive and enjoy that car! Bob

 

[Jagboy69]

Re: Powder coat or paint front spring pads and arm

Keep in mind too that p/c is around 210 degrees so anything likely to be heat affected will need to be removed and re installed later.

Pete's right, 210 Celsius or around 400F.