What panels did you powder coat?

[Tooth]

So, what panels did you powder coat? I don't have my kit yet, but I'm trying to line up a powder coater and want to give them an idea of what I'd like done. Unless it makes more sense to do so, I don't intend to coat the panels that will be covered in carpet and such. I'm thinking powder coat on the areas that are seen, and also still not sure if it makes more sense to powder coat the wheel wells and undersides, or use something different there.

Thank you
Tooth

[Ted G]

I just sent all my panels to the powder coater. 27 panels in all. I coated all panels but firewall, footboxes, trunk floors and floors under seats. Everything else will either be polished (footboxes and firewall) or brushed and sharkhide coated. I went with silver vein and love it! I'll post pictures in my build thread as soon as I get them back.

[JohnK]

Pretty much every single panel is visible on one side or the other. Some less so (underneath the car). I think there are only 2 panels in the trunk that are not visible from either side when carpet is in. So it's up to you as to which panels are "visible enough" to warrant powder coating. I coated all of them. Talk to your powder coater, as there's usually a batch charge of some sort, and then the incremental cost of additional panels is relatively small.

[CaptB]

All panels but my cost here in Memphis wasn't too bad, if I remember correctly it was around $350-400.

Be aware that how the panels fit after change due to the PC.

There are those here with a lot more experience than I, but I drilled mine after PC for fitement. Not sure if holes will line up after without some effort.

Take your time assembling and make sure you put them in in the right order. I didn't have a problem but if I can see if you don't recheck yourself you might have an issue. Good luck.

[JohnK]

If you drill the panels before powder coat you'll need to clean out the PC from all the holes before riveting but that's pretty easy to do. Other than that, the PC isn't thick enough to really affect fit in any significant way. I'd be scared to do all the drilling after PC. I put more than one scratch into panels accidentally in the process of fitting and drilling, and would have been pretty bummed if I'd done that to PC'ed panels.

[CaptB]

I didn't have any f-ups on the post PC panel drills but.....you have to take your time and make sure of it. Probably just like you do even if you don't PC.

[egchewy79]

and don't forget to throw in your hood and trunk hinges, pedal box assembly, quick jacks when you bring things to the PC'ers.

[CaptB]

and don't forget to throw in your hood and trunk hinges, pedal box assembly, quick jacks when you bring things to the PC'ers.

Good point. I had to pay a follow up visit to my PC'er.

[edwardb]

This question (and discussion...) seems to come up every few months. And the answers don't change. Depends on what you mean by "visible." If you only mean the engine compartment, that's one set of panels. If what you see in the wheel wells (they are relatively visible) matters to you, that's another set of panels. If you mean the underside, now you have pretty much all of them. Personally, on my builds I've used powder coat exclusively although there are other options for sure. I've done all the panels because i want everything covered. If you do them in one batch, the cost isn't that much more than only selective panels. But that's a choice you have to make. There are literally only a couple panels in the entire Roadster build that don't have at least one side visible from some angle. Sill pieces under the doors are two that come to mind. So like so many aspects of these builds, just depends on what you want. And obviously what you're willing to pay for.

I always fit, drill, and trial fit via clecos all the panels before powder coat. While they fit amazingly well, you will find an occasional bend adjustment required. Or slight trims to clear welds, etc. Nice to have that all sorted before coating. Plus there's typically a lot of marking to layout where to drill holes, where the frame members are, etc. Easy to do on bare panels and then wipe off. Not so easy or nice on finished panels. Other than the need to clear out the holes slightly as mentioned (really easy) the powder coat doesn't affect the fit. Unless your powder coat shop lays it on really thick. Which should be avoided.

[Tooth]

Looks like all of them are getting powder coated. And, I'll try not to forget some of the other items.

[BrewCityCobra]

If you drill the panels before powder coat you'll need to clean out the PC from all the holes before riveting but that's pretty easy to do. Other than that, the PC isn't thick enough to really affect fit in any significant way. I'd be scared to do all the drilling after PC. I put more than one scratch into panels accidentally in the process of fitting and drilling, and would have been pretty bummed if I'd done that to PC'ed panels.

This is how I did it as well. I basically assembled the entire engine compartment, foot boxes, and cockpit in raw aluminum - drilled all the holes. Disassembled everything and sent if off to powdercoating. Then re-assembled a final time with silicone and rivets. Fitment with powdercoat not an issue aside from having to clean up the rivet holes themselves.

The pre-assembly was helpful on a few fronts - namely to get a feel for how everything fits together and what order to assemble it in to avoid scratching and the like. Also allows you to address any fitment issues without having to worry about wrecking your powdercoat.

As for which ones - really comes down to budget. I only did the footboxes and firewall - forward. Decided to save a few bucks on the others as I felt, while they are exposed to some extent - not enough to warrant the cost.

[Kodiak]

I fitted and drilled everything first then sent out all panels for powder coating. I wanted all the panels protected from the elements even if you can’t see them.

[zee]

I plan to get it all done. Not because I need to (or even want to), but because the cost difference between getting them all and getting a subset isn't big enough for me to worry about it.

[CaptB]

I plan to get it all done. Not because I need to (or even want to), but because the cost difference between getting them all and getting a subset isn't big enough for me to worry about it.

My thoughts exactly and it wasn't too bad on cost.

[Theshandman]

I PC'd all 70 pieces. Probably overkill but Georgia Powder Coating quoted a minimal difference between just 40 of the eyeball pieces vs the whole shebang. I drilled before PCing and the go-together was still spot on after coating.