Powder Coat Panels

[Texas Driver]

What is the best way to prep the aluminum panels for powder coating so it sticks properly? Sanding with 120 or 80 grit sand paper? media blasting, walnut blasting?

[Driver_WT]

I cleaned my panels with acetone, baked them in the oven, then powder coated. Has lasted for 10 years so far. But I am no expert on these things.

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you are sending them to the coater they'll do all of the prep. Just do all of your trimming, fitting and drilling before sending them.

Jeff

[Marc 4]

Light sand blast is perfect, take a look here:
https://www.eastwood.com/hotcoat-powder-coating.html

https://youtu.be/IFeMX1O6Epk

[swwebb]

If you are sending them to the coater they'll do all of the prep. Just do all of your trimming, fitting and drilling before sending them.

Jeff

Totally agree with Jeff. I didn't do the drilling beforehand, and I wish I had.

If you're sending them to a coater, send as many as possible each time! My coater charged very little for more panels - the set-up charge was the biggie.

[Sdonnel]

First time post, but long time lurker. I had all my panels coated in a light grey color. Wipe the stencil off from the aluminum manufacturer with acetone or some other solvent and scuff with sandpaper. I predrilled every panel and dropped them off with the chassis. The outcome was amazing.

Scott