Powder coating general questions and service in Seattle area

[Rotorcraft]

Hello,

I am just starting my build and am seriously considering powder coating all visible panels in the engine bay .

Curious what I should expect to pay, how long it takes to get them back once I drop them off, and what prep is required (I would fit and drill them first)

Any info specific to the Seattle area would be a plus :)

Looking at a color as close to the original aluminum as possible.


Thanks!

Jeff

[caropepe]

Jeff:

The powder-coater-of-choice in your neck of the woods seems to be Power Coating, Inc. in Mukiltio (http://www.powdercoatinginc.com/). A number of guys have used them for exactly what you're doing - plus a lot of those little things that you haven't gotten to yet...

Joe

[SCFFR]

Jeff,

Costs with vary with the coater. One way to save some money is to have only one side of the panel coated if one side isn't going to be visible. For example, I had all of the floor and trunk pans coated silver on one side since I know I was going to line the insides with Rattletrap sound deadener. No reason to pay to have a panel coated when you are going to cover it. Talk to the coater before you get started.

I've had to wait up to three weeks and then less than a week to get panels back......................depends on business.

I pretty much had every panel in my MkIV powder coated mostly on one side but many on both sides. Plain silver looks very close to aluminum but for durability, have it clear coated. This will increase the cost about 50% but again, only coat one side when possible.

As far as prep goes, they are going to lightly blast the panels before they coat so you really don't have to do anything.

Ron

[SCFFR]

Jeff,

Forgot to add that I figure I have around $800 in powder coating costs although I had just about every panel coated.

Ron

[Rotorcraft]

Jeff,

Forgot to add that I figure I have around $800 in powder coating costs although I had just about every panel coated.

Ron


Thanks Ron, this is helpful.

[wallace18]

Jeff,

Forgot to add that I figure I have around $800 in powder coating costs although I had just about every panel coated.

Ron Did that cost include the suspension parts you had powder coated?

[SCFFR]

The $800 covered only aluminum panels. The front and rear suspension parts were already coated at FFR. I painted the rear end housing with black POR15 which is just about as durable as powder coating.
Having the shorty headers and rear pipes ceramic coated ran about $375. Whatever header you buy, get them already coated if available (mine were out-of-production Ford Racing units).............almost half the cost of having them coated yourself.

Ron

[fastthings]

I'm in the Oly area. The guy I use I'm sure would be the samne cost with one side done or two. For him the cost and the wait time depends on the color. If you pick a common color it will be less cost and less wait time. He will do your color and do it quik if you pay. If you can wait until he gets a full booth of parts in your color it will be less. If he has only your parts in the oven it will be more.

Gene

[edwardb]

The $800 covered only aluminum panels. Ron

My cost from a local supplier here in MI was similar to this, although I threw in a few additional parts. I also pursued having only the visible sides coated as a cost saver. Was told it would be the same price. The extra time required to keep track of which side, edges (in some cases they will show too), etc. was more than the material to spray both sides. Obviously no difference in oven time.

Talked to my painter, and he wouldn't paint that many parts (approx 70) for that. Painting here at home isn't an option for me or my neighbors. Partial results in this thread, if you haven't seen already. The rest are being mounted right now.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update

[SCFFR]

Color definitely has an impact on cost since some powder colors are much more expensive than others. If possible, try to pick a "stock" color....one that the coater keeps in stock. In some cases, if you want a special color, you will have to pay for all of the powder regardless of whether it gets all used or not.
I would suggest going and talk to the coater you decide to use first to get a feel for all of the variables.

Ron