Powder Coat or Cerakote?

[fauxbra5.0]

Been going back and forth with my build plans. Wanting to black out the trim, rims, exhaust, and roll hoop(s) but debating whether things will look better in Powder Coat or Cerakote. Any feedback / experience is greatly appreciated!

[Rian_Colorado]

I powder coated everything in my Coupe build except the exhaust. The exhaust I had Cera coated, and I'm glad I did. It really does seem to keep more of the heat in.

My personal opinion is that the appearance difference on any other part just isn't worth the increased cost.

Also be aware that there really isn't a good "gloss black" in Cera coat (if that's the color you're after)

Rian

[rich grsc]

Chrome will need to be removed before powder coating, CeraKote can go over the chrome. CeraKote is a matte finish not gloss, and it will take high heat very well, and yes it is more expensive that powder coat as it take a lot more prep time.

[cv2065]

Powder for the regular trim, panels, bars and wheels. Cerakote or other ceramic coating for the pipes and headers. As Rich said, Cerakote only comes in a Matte finish. Jet-Hot offers a Satin finish in their ceramic coatings but is a little more expensive unless you can drop them off to them locally.

[burchfieldb]

Cerakote does have a gloss black.
https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerako...09/gloss-black
It can be matte, if you don't spray it right. However, Rich is correct in that most all of the Cerakote colors are a matte finish.

This is Cerakotes Black Velvet on a 3D printed nylon part, which is in between matte and gloss.
https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerako...0/black-velvet
O 20241105_082724.jpg

You can also order free swatches from Cerakote to see what they look like.

Gunkote is another option. I have used their Black Chrome and it is really glossy with metallics in it.

[i.e.427]

Cerakote is a brand name. A better comparison would be between powder-coating and ceramic-coating. There are many options of ceramic-coating and much like powder-coat, you can get it in gloss colors. One of my favorite ceramic-coat colors is the bright silver metallic my powder-coater uses. It it so shiny when polished you would think it was chrome. What we've done on engine parts in the past, when we've wanted them to match the side-pipes and exhaust headers, is to just ceramic-coat them with the same material. Ask your coater about these options.

Frank

[fauxbra5.0]

Thanks all for the feedback!

Also Frank, I liked your most recent video...completely missed the turn stalk in the video (even though I watched it a dozen times!). Hope Jeff's build goes well!

[Mike.Bray]

I ordered my kit with polished stainless headers and sidepipes and was not happy at all with the amount of discoloration. I had the headers ceramic coated and they look beautiful as well as running a little cooler. Recently I had a chance to buy a new set of plain steel FFR sidepipes for a song so I did and sent them to Jet Hot for their polished coating. https://www.jet-hot.com/classic-polish/

I'll post some pictures when I have them installed but I know I'm going to like them.

Picture of the just received sidepipes from Jet Hot

[rthomas98]

The shop I used powder coated the side pipes then hit it with a a clear ceramic coating so that it would match the other Powder coated parts on the car. only complaint I had was they couldn't get it very well up near the collector where the 4 pipes came toghether (started with bare steel side pipes) so it picked up a slight bit of patina inbetween the pipes. Something just to be aware of if you are starting with bare steel instead of the stainless pipes.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

One thing to keep in mind, you can ceramic coat fasteners and they will still screw into place. I did that for all fasteners that are visible as I did a complete chrome delete. Ceramic coat is also tougher than powder coat. I did it for the headlight switch, door strikers, ignition, etc that will see a lot of touching. Other parts I powder coated (cheaper) or painted (chrome pieces).