Paint or PowderCoat Frame??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Paint or PowderCoat Frame??
So I will be shipping my frame off to the local corvette shop tomorrow to have some rot repaired and then get prepared for refinishing. My question is what is everyone doing these days....painting or powdercoating your frames? Just looking to see what the majority of you are doing and why you chose to go that route? My 71 will be used primairly for long and short cruises, car shows, and an occasional trip down the dragstrip. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,260
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Powdercoat everything! You can pick the gloss you want and go from there. Take control arms, brackets, halfshafts, driveshaft whatever you can. They charge very little more to do everything. Have them spray u inside as much as possible also.
I did mine about 13-14 years ago and it is still in great shape and cleans right up with a rag and some Windex.
JIM
I did mine about 13-14 years ago and it is still in great shape and cleans right up with a rag and some Windex.
JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Why would you want to powdercoat?
Do you not enjoy peeling or paint scraping off when you look at it wrong?
Do you not enjoy peeling or paint scraping off when you look at it wrong?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I plan on powder coating my frame, but for all my other metal parts I POR15 them. I just think the frame is too big of a painting project for me to do and the powder coating is the best alternative.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Mixed feelings on just having frame painted...
So, I was torn between having my frame painted or powdercoated...Well, I got it back from the shop the other day and i'm not starting to have second thoughts. I had the frame delivered by the shop that did the work. Unfortunately, they didn't take very good care at preventing it from getting scratches and chips in the paint while transporting it. Now that i've had time to stare at it for a while, I keep finding another chip, scratch, or smudge in the paint and found other areas that didn't get even get a full coverage of paint. The surface is seems rough and although they told me the color was correct, it just looks blah to me. I started hanging parts on it today, but took them back off because i'm now really considering having it re-sandblasted and sent off to have it powdercoated instead. Do you guys thing i'm too crazy or too critical of this? Leave as is or spend more money to powdercoat? I'm also trying to figure out how to protect/paint the inside of the frame since it wasn't done when it was painted. Any feedback would be appreciated...
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
if you have the time, and money powder coat it,
long term PC is the best method.
if your short on 1 of the above paint it.
rememeber, brake and power steering fluid will completely remove normal paint.
powder coat will still look great in a few years, paint will look like an old frame.
long term PC is the best method.
if your short on 1 of the above paint it.
rememeber, brake and power steering fluid will completely remove normal paint.
powder coat will still look great in a few years, paint will look like an old frame.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Merchantville New jersey
I have been tossing this same question around in my head. After doing a lot of investigation on the subject I decided to paint. Powder coating is a great finish but has its drawbacks. The main drawback is that once it scratches or chips it tends to hold moisture between the finish and the steel. (Learned this the hard way) It becomes a PIA to repair, so since I am building as a driver and not a trailer queen I went with paint. The final decission was made after watching some youtube videos from a guy in texas (SWRNC channel) his video's have helped me see the light on many of my restoration questions.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 6
From: Palos Verdes Peninsula California
So, I was torn between having my frame painted or powdercoated...Well, I got it back from the shop the other day and i'm not starting to have second thoughts. I had the frame delivered by the shop that did the work. Unfortunately, they didn't take very good care at preventing it from getting scratches and chips in the paint while transporting it. Now that i've had time to stare at it for a while, I keep finding another chip, scratch, or smudge in the paint and found other areas that didn't get even get a full coverage of paint. The surface is seems rough and although they told me the color was correct, it just looks blah to me. I started hanging parts on it today, but took them back off because i'm now really considering having it re-sandblasted and sent off to have it powdercoated instead. Do you guys thing i'm too crazy or too critical of this? Leave as is or spend more money to powdercoat? I'm also trying to figure out how to protect/paint the inside of the frame since it wasn't done when it was painted. Any feedback would be appreciated...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Yes, the color is correct for a "factory" restoration. I think part of why I am having second thoughts about switching to powdercoat is because quite honestly I am disappointed to the lack of care/attention/detail the shop had when prepping and painting the frame. I did a 72 Vette and had that frame powdercoated and it came out absolutely beautiful although it was a bit too glossy. Comparing both of these frames, there is a huge difference. I am quite **** and particular, which doesn't help things either. Just not sure if I can live with it as it is or do something about it before everything goes back together and regret it later...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Yes I do! I have a feeling thats the direction I will be going. However, before I make any final decisions, I think I will just let the frame sit as it is for a while and focus on getting other misc. parts blasted and painted. Later I will come back to the frame after I have had some time to stare at it and think about it for a while and make a decision in a few weeks or so. Thanks everyone for giving your input...
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 6
From: Palos Verdes Peninsula California
Yes, the color is correct for a "factory" restoration. I think part of why I am having second thoughts about switching to powdercoat is because quite honestly I am disappointed to the lack of care/attention/detail the shop had when prepping and painting the frame. I did a 72 Vette and had that frame powdercoated and it came out absolutely beautiful although it was a bit too glossy. Comparing both of these frames, there is a huge difference. I am quite **** and particular, which doesn't help things either. Just not sure if I can live with it as it is or do something about it before everything goes back together and regret it later...
Can you have them correct it? Or is it one of those situations where in their eyes it is good enough?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Oh I understand completely. If I ever did a frame off on my 81 I would feel the same way that you do. I have stripped part and repainted them two or three times because I wasn't happy how they came out.
Can you have them correct it? Or is it one of those situations where in their eyes it is good enough?
Can you have them correct it? Or is it one of those situations where in their eyes it is good enough?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO