Black out options

[rvanstory]

I really like the cobras that have been “blacked out” instead of chrome or stainless components. But, seems getting everything ceramic coated will not be cheap (exhaust, rims, windshield frame, etc…). Trying to keep cost under SOME control.

Any suggestions for other options for blacking things out that won’t peel or flake off too soon? Has anyone painted over chrome with auto paint with success? I know this won’t work on exhaust, but what about other parts?

[sasteel43]

Following. I'm looking to do the same. Hey, rvanstory, I'm right down the road from you in Schertz if you ever need any help. I'm still in the beginning stages of my build.

[Junbug]

I bought an Eastwood powder coating kit and a used toaster oven then powder coated everything that would fit in the oven. Headlight rings, hood/trunk hinges, battery box etc. Powder I got off of Amazon, 2lbs and it’s still going strong. I didn’t sandblast anything, just used a wire brush attached to a power drill then wiped everything down with acetone. Did it all in my garage. Even powder coated chrome parts. They’ve all turned out fine so far.
Everything too large to fit in my toaster oven went to my powder coater who also did ceramic coating on my exhaust parts. I don’t think I ceramic coating on parts that won’t heat up is necessary. Doing larger batches with your powder coater will bring costs down. Easier for them to prep everything and spray at the same time. Small onesey-twosey batches will cost more via a powder coater.

[rvanstory]

Following. I'm looking to do the same. Hey, rvanstory, I'm right down the road from you in Schertz if you ever need any help. I'm still in the beginning stages of my build.

That’s awesome! Would love to come see your kit if possible. Sending you a PM with contact info.

[RBachman]

I went through the same questions and concerns with mine. It can get costly sending everything out. Fortunately, you can do powder coat (PC) and ceramic coatings yourself. It's really not that difficult once you have the equipment and a little practice. Small parts are easy to PC using an old oven for curing. Larger parts can be sent out or sprayed with ceramic yourself using an air-cure Cerakote coating. For ceramic coatings I used the Cerakote Glacier Black because it was the closest to the FFR black PC. Note that PC over chrome isn't recommended unless the plating is removed first, but abrasive blasting the plating away isn't usually that difficult. Conversely, Cerakote sticks well to chrome when properly prepared. Both methods have positives and negatives. Of the two, I'm partial to the Cerakote, but a lot of it is personal preference. Cerakote can cover anything that PC does, you don't need an oven, and it's a tougher coating than PC. Preparation and surface cleanliness is everything with either method and an abrasive blaster (don't use sand) is a big time saver. Although, old fashioned sanding will also work when done properly.

[dbo_texas]

I really like the cobras that have been “blacked out” instead of chrome or stainless components. But, seems getting everything ceramic coated will not be cheap (exhaust, rims, windshield frame, etc…). Trying to keep cost under SOME control.

Any suggestions for other options for blacking things out that won’t peel or flake off too soon? Has anyone painted over chrome with auto paint with success? I know this won’t work on exhaust, but what about other parts?

You are correct it is a LOT of parts that would need to be blacked out. I think most folks powder coat all the pieces, except for the side pipes & headers which a lot of people either use Cerakote or ceramic coat. I made a list to try to capture all the parts you'd need to black out. I think the windshield frame is probably most difficult as some have said re-installing the glass afterwards can be a challenge. Some took it to a glass shop so they could float it back into the frame. Anyway here's the list (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?41086-Chrome-delete-list-of-parts) - I think it's mostly complete if you are going for an all chrome-delete look.

[Tooth]

I took everything to the powder coater. Wasn't crazy expensive relative to the build. Pipes came ceramic coated from gas n.

[dbo_texas]

I took everything to the powder coater. Wasn't crazy expensive relative to the build. Pipes came ceramic coated from gas n.

What was the cost to get the wheels powder coated? Did you do it before you mounted the tires or did you have to pay to get the tires removed then reinstalled after PC? It's all these little things that keep adding up, I figure with all the parts, wheels + ceramic coating the pipes and headers, I'm looking at another $1K-$2K to get it all done. This is just a guess based on some numbers I've seen from some folks, but I've seen prices vary quite a bit.

[CaptB]

Ditto on what @tooth had to say, everything went to the PC, wasn't crazy (compared to what other things cost). It was a PITA to disassemble things like the gas cap, FFR's cheap aluminum broke which prompted another source which was much better quality.

[Its Bruce]

I've been using a mix of black PC, Xylan (PTFE) and Carbothane (a thermoplastic polyurethane).

[cv2065]

Do it in one lot and keeps the cost down. Shop around as well. All powder coaters are not created equal. Windshield disassembly and reassembly is a bit of a pain. Just make sure you take notes of how it goes back together and get the metal fittings from Whitbys as the brass ones will strip. I didn't have to dis-assemble anything else accept the wiper blades, and bezels on front parking lights and tail lights. Tail lights are also challenging as you can't disassemble the soldered electrical assembly and that tends to melt in the PC process, so you'll have to solder each one back on or take them to someone who can do it for you. I did not have to disassemble the gas cap or hood latches. I thought there might be some plastic in the hood latches but there is not. Wheels cost me about $400 by themselves.

In the end, the black out look is highly worth the effort!

[dbo_texas]

Has anyone used the air cure C-series Cerakote on your FFR wheels? I'm curious to see what that looks like. If you've done it, please post some pics. I'm looking at the list of parts I put together HERE (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?41086-Chrome-delete-list-of-parts), and it seem like everything on this list could be coated in Cerakote with a simple DIY setup. No baking required, and it works for headers/side pipes because the Glacier Black is good up to 1800°F. I do see on Cerakote's website (https://www.cerakote.com/project-gallery?htids=Wheels) that there are plenty of examples of wheels (doesn't say which series is used), but wanted to specifically see if anyone on the forum has done the FFR wheels and how they turned out.