Aluminum panel prep - Page 2

Mark Worthington · 04-25-03, 02:43 AM

Here's a quick update. I got my panels back from the powder coating shop today. They look awesome, and these pictures don't do them justice (maybe I'll try some in direct sunlight). I ended up prepping them with a fine scotch-brite pad on a random orbit sander, and they were chromate dipped before application of the powder. The product used was a translucent color by Tiger Drylac - Candy Blue. They ordered 10 pounds of the stuff and estimated they used seven pounds, less volatile content, so the weight penalty wasn't bad at all. My cost was $420.

Robert Logan · 04-25-03, 03:42 AM

Mark,

Looks great.

I am looking forward to seeing your car finished. I am sure it will be outstanding.

Keep up the GREAT work.

Robert

Hershal Byrd · 04-25-03, 11:47 AM

Mark,
That's outstanding. From what I can see you are really close to the end. Keep at it and she will be cruizin' before you know it.

Hersh [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

05-07-03, 12:37 PM

mark, your car is gay [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

05-07-03, 12:40 PM

[img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] it is time for the american autocompanies to rise up and destroy the imports

**patbarry** · 05-07-03, 10:15 PM

How do you follow that one up?

As to imports, my Ford F250 has parts on it made in another country. What should I do?

cobra1 · 05-08-03, 01:15 AM

Ron, What type of powder coating system are you using? You shouldnt have to pre heat to get a good layer on. I've been powder coating engine parts and wheels for dressup for street rods for about 5 years now. Just did my first Ceramic Coating on some Exhaust manifolds recently a little harder but it comes out nice.
Nathan [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

cobra1 · 05-08-03, 01:20 AM

When you take the manufactures coating off of aluminum it should be re alodined to preclude corrosion.
Nathan [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

**patbarry** · 05-09-03, 09:28 PM

Hey Nathan, have you ever painted aluminum wheels? Any tricks of the trade?

cobra1 · 05-09-03, 11:11 PM

Pat,
Now that I know how, if it's metalic it gets Powder Coated. If you use the proper type of powder it won't be harmed by UV or any cleaners. no oxidization. Just wipe with a damp cloth and you are done.
Nathan
[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Mark Worthington · 05-10-03, 11:10 AM

I asked my powder coating shop if they do wheels, and he said they don't, as they are unable to meet quality, durability and longevity expectations of their customers.

**patbarry** · 05-10-03, 09:35 PM

Did he say why? I know some folks who I can have sandblast and paint them, or is there some concern over flexing causing the paint to break and delaminate?

cobra1 · 05-10-03, 10:50 PM

I have both AL and Steel wheels on my autos and have a set that I did on a SPEC race Truck about 4 years ago and they are doing fine. I even have a happy FERRARI(sp) coustomer that I did some years ago.
Nathan [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Dan Weilacher · 08-01-03, 05:30 PM

I have a friend, (Mark Parnell) that has a powder , ceramic,coating buisness in Tulsa Oklahoma. He has done many wheels for street cars and race cars. I have a set of Techno magnesio wheels for my formula 2000 car that he did. They have held up through many tire changes until some idiot with a tire changing machine scraped the outer bead area up on one of them. (this machine isnt supposed to even touch the bead, but you are supposed to have a brain to operate it !)Anyway, if anyone would like to contact him , here is his phone number.918-627-5044 Mark is real reasonable and a good guy !Tell him Dan Weilacher sent you !

Dan Weilacher · 08-01-03, 05:39 PM

he did my wheels,, rotor hats and edges of the rotors and exhaust,,

rbrunckhorst · 09-16-03, 01:37 PM

I'm just curious what you all are using to bake you panels once you powder coat them. I saw Ron's entry about quartz heating lamps and increaseing their amp. Where do you get these lamps? Any recommended make/model/arrangement/number? Did you get your powder coating gun from Caswell?

Hershal Byrd · 09-17-03, 01:01 AM

Hey Rolf,
Most of the guys buy their specialty tools here including
the powder coating gun.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/

Hersh

rbrunckhorst · 09-17-03, 07:42 AM

Thanks again Hershal. It may be cheaper to take the panels to someone to powdercoat, but more fun to do it myself. I called one place about anodizing, but they begged off claiming lack of color selection. I guess I'm still in the info gathering mode (as I continue to cut and shape panels)

**patbarry** · 09-18-03, 01:57 PM

For what it's worth, I abraded my panels with 60 grit sandpaper on a 7" grinder, sprayed on a coat of a polyamide epoxy and then finished them with a moisture-cured urethane. Pretty tough, I like it, anyway.

Ron Earp · 09-18-03, 07:26 PM

PAt, got any details on the epoxy? I ain't powder coating the ones in the rear like I did on all the cabin and front panels. It looks great but took a lot of time and made a big mess of the garage. The rear panels I'd like to finish in black, like my front panels, but want to avoid the PC this time.

R