automotive paint or powder coat

[c chardt]

I've talked to alot of people and 1/2 say power coat and they rest say auto paint is there and advantage to power coat both will rust from the in side out and the price is alot cheeper for auto paint

 

[kb27_99]

Powder coating is 10 times tougher than paint. I don't know about where you live but around here i can have an engine stand and cage powder coated for less than $500. When you facter in the labor to blast, prime, and paint.....it comes out close.




Kevin

 

[cowboy]

I know a shop in Buckhead Ridge that does a killer job on cages. I'm not sure what he charges, but man his work sure looks great.
Frisco Metals. I'll get thier number foor you if you want it.

 

[Daddy Dave]

An old airboater taught me a trick about extending the life of EMT metal works. He drilled small weep holes at the lowest point of every member to allow moisture to escape. He insisted on drilling the holes before any protective coating or paint was applied.

There are several powdercoaters - the number is growing - who do good work. Mark Jurnigan in Plant City, FL is an example.

I believe the costs are getting closer if you properly blast, prime and sand the cage and stand before painting. Powder coating sure looks better. I've veen heard about clearcoating the powdercoated surfaces. That sounds like overkill, but, I don't know enough to say.

 

[airboat4fun]

I don't know how hard you are on parts, but I know from experience, repairs are much easier on painted stuff. If you have to repair or replace part of the cage it is not hard match paint after you weld or braise and it can be done in the back yard and you may not even have to remove the cage. If you want to match the powdercoat you have to take it all apart and send it off to have it redone. Also if you have to drill a hole in anything powdercoated it is alot more likely to rust in that spot. On the other hand powdercoating, if done properly, is tougher that any paint and will last for many years

 

[Sniper]

I have been Painting since I was fifteen and I am 46 now, boats,cars and even Aircraft for one of the major Airlines so I know a little about paint and Painting and for durability,corrosion resistance and extended life powder coating is the way to go and after you get it done if you take a sample of the powder coated parts to any automotive paint supply they can make you some touch up paint that will match the powder coating perfect and make sure you get some good corrosion inhibative primer to go with it so then if you do any mods or repairs you can touch it up and it should not be noticable.

 

[hillrunnerfl]

I powder coated my last cage, worked great, just be sure that you smooth out any sharp edges, weld splatter etc. Powder coat thins out like paint on sharp edges and is easily damaged. Also be sure you spray it down with a mild phosphoric acid solution and rinse it good before you coat it.

My current rig is stainless. Kind of $$$$, but in salt water is the only way to go.

 

[marshmaster pat]

I was told by some of the old timers around here that they would drill the weep holes at the bottom of the stand when using EMT, but would drill a hole or two at the top of each piece. They would spray some LPS#3 lubricant in the top holes and cap them with a weld. Claimed it left a waxy oil coat that would help prevent rust for a couple of years.

Faron Floyd at American Airboats had a stainless Steel stand electropolished on his boat (blue hull with GPU for sale on airboat trader), it looks like sandblasted stainless, sort of a satin finish. Looked really nice and they were saying it would last for years. I would look into that if I got another SS stand done.

 

[Anonymous]

had all my rigging plus rudder powder coated for $450.00. This was alot easier and about the same money for me to blast and paint it myself. Biggest drawback to powdercoat is it does not work well on expanded metal because the edges are so thin, I have had my footstand and rake powder coated twice and needs to be done again in 2 1/2 years. Next time I will use aluminum instead of expanded metal.

 

[c chardt]

well I just ordered a brand new hamant hull on saturday so I have to build all new rigging and I want to powder coat it. It sounds like the way to go and I was thinking about using aluminum floor boards this time.