Powdercoating subframe vs painting

[MrCam]

Hey guys,
I am at a point where I can paint my 68 Camaro subframe. I a contemplating powerdercoating it black however I have heard fixed responses regarding powerdercoating. Some people suggesting that it chips easily. If you have experienced with powerdercoating I would love to hear your suggestion/feedback. Also, if you have used someone if Melbourne and happy with please send me their details.

[blackoutsteve]

I had my old subframe powdercoated and very happily went back to paint.

The biggest thing I hated about powdercoating was the control arm bushes squeaked like mad. There was no lubricant I could ever find (incl the supplied bushing lube) was would shut the thing up. It was like a typical late 70s - early 80s Ford. Squeaked over every bump.

The 2nd was touch ups. Yes powder coating chips, but I wouldn't say easily. It is very durable. But, touch ups are never as thick as the powder coat, and the color & lustre matching can be very difficult.

The 3rd was just the look of the stuff. It's looks like someone gave the frame about 10 coats of paint too many. It scuffs easy too, so it just looked like steel wool rubbed over gloss paint, but that was my fault for choosing a gloss. Gloss never stays clean and shows everthing.

4th. Removal of the crap is damn near impossible. Commercial chemical bath only.

If you're going to powder coat, you must also etchprime. ;)

I used PPGs paint for Holden chassis. It's black, it's the correct 30% gloss, it touches uo easy and dries in minutes. ..and because it's satin black, it can be dirty and still look reletively clean. Most panel beating supplies will fill aerosol cans for you. I have about 4 ready to go..
Eastwoods and POR15 are too glossy, but they both make good paint.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8774/misc155.th.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/misc155.jpg/)

So, how did the front piece fit on? Good?

[tonner]

Powder coat is crap, it's molten plastic not paint as said by Steve, it can't be touched up and it is porous and offers no protection. why do people use it, because its cheap. If you are going to go down the powder coat path make shore you zinc plate before hand for protection, I see so much of this stuff fail, do it right and paint it in two pack.

Greg

[qik66]

Have to agree with Steve and Greg, did it once never again, I used an industrial epoxy two pack that they use in the wash plant at work, its close enough to the colour of new panels when you get them. this stuff bullet proof and won't let water in and can be painted over if you want to.

[Nev68]

Hey guys,
I am at a point where I can paint my 68 Camaro subframe. I a contemplating powerdercoating it black however I have heard fixed responses regarding powerdercoating. Some people suggesting that it chips easily. If you have experienced with powerdercoating I would love to hear your suggestion/feedback. Also, if you have used someone if Melbourne and happy with please send me their details.

I have powder coated a couple of chassis's now and wouldn't paint another one.
In my expereince the powder coating has been quite robust and resilient.
Usually pretty easy to clean off with a pressure cleaner, but since I have black on this one I don't think the dirt will be too easy to see
I would not powder coat upper and lower control arms as you have to carve the powder out to fit the bushes.

[chevelle]

I have had no problems with powdercoating, done all my cars for last 20 years. Chassis and arms, never had squeaks.
Nev best to use a round file, its easy to file the coating where the bushes go.
I wouldnt powdercoat diff housings or brake drums as the coating traps the heat.
Mr Sheen cleaner is great on powdercoated items.

[alp003]

Before today I had pretty much decided to powder coat my chassis but a conversation with the painter this afternoon has got my thinking whether powder coating or painting is the better option.

I'm after a factory GM look (black satin) but I was leaning towards powder coating because I was under the impression that it is more durable. However, the painter tells me that painting can also be durable with a much nicer finish.

I have just looked at the previous posts but after a few more opinions/experiences before making a decision.

[stuart]

I was unsure weather to paint or powder coat as well but went the paint way and it turned out ok i think

[cam67]

I was unsure weather to paint or powder coat as well but went the paint way and it turned out ok i think

Looks good Stuart - what brakes have you got on the front?

[YenkoSC]

Powder coating when done correctly can appear factory and with what I've seen, is more durable than paint. We had the subframe on the 67 powder coated a long time ago and it looks factory.

[69SS]

I was unsure weather to paint or powder coat as well but went the paint way and it turned out ok i think

Looks great Stu - any idea when it will be on the road!! Its the million dollar question :D I've been copping a lot of those questions lately!

IMO its horses for courses with regarding to the powder coating vs paint debate, it really does depends on prep and PD coaters ability - it can be applied thinner if done correct.

I'm still not sure whether i'll go the PD or the paint route yet. I guess i'll decide at the last minute :rolleyes: Was even thinking of going a dark gun metal grey to be a little different and have some contrast, would need to do the same with the diff though to balance it up - we will see:eek:

[stuart]

Looks good Stuart - what brakes have you got on the front?
Thanks Walter they are Baer 6P 14 inch rotors

---------- Post added at 06:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:12 PM ----------

Looks great Stu - any idea when it will be on the road!! Its the million dollar question :D I've been copping a lot of those questions lately!

IMO its horses for courses with regarding to the powder coating vs paint debate, it really does depends on prep and PD coaters ability - it can be applied thinner if done correct.

I'm still not sure whether i'll go the PD or the paint route yet. I guess i'll decide at the last minute :rolleyes: Was even thinking of going a dark gun metal grey to be a little different and have some contrast, would need to do the same with the diff though to balance it up - we will see:eek:

I would like to have it finished by the end of the year i guess i can only hope.I am doing the flat firewall at the moment see how that goes then hopefully next will be paint

[alp003]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I was back at the painters today looking at a ford chassis he just painted in a 30% black satin finish. Got to admit, it looked real nice!

I know that the old holden chassis was a factory 30% gloss, was this standard for all GM's in the 1960's (e.g. Camaro, Chevelle, etc)?

[blackoutsteve]

Pretty much..
PPG's GMH Matt Black is 30%. ;) http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/8774/misc155.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/36/misc155.jpg/) ..use that part number. http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/8872/assembly1068qn.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/285/assembly1068qn.jpg/)
Floor and subframe are painted the same 30% gloss.
I also had about 6 aerosols made up with it for touch ups.. Touches up beautifully. :)

[GM NUT]

I would paint.
Have p/c before, but if you chip it, water and rust soon follows underneath the coating, then you have to get the nasty plastic off, what a pain!

[1968Camaro]

http://www.por15.com

Anyone tried this stuff ??

[Nev68]

http://www.por15.com

Anyone tried this stuff ??

Yep, painted my diff with it.
Not cheap, but pretty good