Good powdercoating - what to look for?

[codieskid]

Hi all

I am taking a couple of sheet aluminium panels from my GT40 replica to be powdercoated today at a local company. As I've no previous knowledge of the company and powder coating generally can anyone tell me what process they should be carrying out if they are good?

The guy on the phone said I could have it powder coated or powder coated with a zinc primer (or something like that). Also should the panels be blasted (sand blasted I am guessing) before they are powder coated. They are only thin sheet polished aluminium so is it possible to blast them first and will this give better results?

Thanks

Trevor

[Oldandslow]

If they're polished I'd roughen them up a bit to give the powder coat a key to stick to. Blasting would do that.

[codieskid]

Do you know what other prepping the panels will need. Will the powder coaters clean them etc?

Trev

[steveo3002]

they usualy take the parts off you and prep them as required so no work on your side of things

ask if blasting will warp or distort your parts, and ask if they have a suitable primer for the material you have

[codieskid]

Hi all

I took my panels down to the company today. I explained I was concerned about the powder staying on the panels etc and explained I wanted a good job doing regardless of cost.

They said they would key the panels by sanding them over to roughen the panels (as they are polished at the moment). The panels would then be de-greased. Once de-greased they will have a zinc primer applyed to them and then a top coat of 'automotive' matt black powder. The guy said that the automotive stuff is slightly tougher than regular.

The customer service was top notch, very helpful guy and showed me examples of their stuff which seemed good, at least to the untrained eye.

What do you think, does the above sound about right? Oh an price is £24 per square metre (£12 without primer but I was insistant on having the panels primed).

They are due to start on the panels tomorrow so if anyone has any concerns about what they are going to do please raise them now.

Thanks

Trev

[DanGPR]

GT40.

Matte Black.

God just killed a puppy.

[tinman0]

hmm, wonder if that could be a good interim solution for my bonnet....

[codieskid]

DanGPR said:

GT40.

Matte Black.

God just killed a puppy.

The car isn't Matte black it's the aluminium panels attached to the spaceframe chassis. The car is going to be as original as I can get it which is why I am having the panels powder coated rather than leaving them polished aluminium

Trev

[BadRotorFinger]

In a past life I worked in engineering, with a paint shop to hand, Can't comment on price, but the process you describe is pretty spot on(de-grease and prime), if you are happy, go for it!

[codieskid]

Trying to achieve a similar look to this with my chassis
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn71/schwabtom/...

[codieskid]

Hi all

I've just had my panels powder coated and thought you might like to see them on my GT40 chassis. I am very happy with the results:

http://www.gt40builder.com/image-dump/december/bui...

Trevor