Powder coat reccomendations????

[winstontj]

I've got a bunch of stuff that will be getting sandblasted shortly. Intake parts, water necks, coolant bypass, windshield wiper linkages, etc. There's a ton of stuff.

Once it's clean I'd like to have it powder coated. Can anyone reccomend a good place to get this done? I'm in Massachusetts but will ship anywhere. You can powdercoat aluminum right?

[Britt]

Yes you can powder coat aluminum.

If they are small parts, I'd recommend doing it yourself w/a harborfreight pc job. I've used one to great reasults so far.

I use a toaster oven since most of my parts will fit, and you are not supposed to cure in a eating oven.

PC kit $70 or so

Used toaster oven $10

Powder $10-30 dep. on quality/kind etc

The only other thing you'd need is an air compressor (3-5lbs of air only)

So, for the price of doing a few parts, you'll have a good tool to do many, many parts.

If you don't want to go that way, look for any race car fabrication shops, the'll have them or know who does locally.

Good luck man,

B

[winstontj]

Yes you can powder coat aluminum.

If they are small parts, I'd recommend doing it yourself w/a harborfreight pc job. I've used one to great reasults so far.

I use a toaster oven since most of my parts will fit, and you are not supposed to cure in a eating oven.

PC kit $70 or so

Used toaster oven $10

Powder $10-30 dep. on quality/kind etc

The only other thing you'd need is an air compressor (3-5lbs of air only)

So, for the price of doing a few parts, you'll have a good tool to do many, many parts.

If you don't want to go that way, look for any race car fabrication shops, the'll have them or know who does locally.

Good luck man,

B

I'm gonna talk to a friend and see if I can convince him to go in on this project (or house the stuff). I live in an appartment in downtown Boston. Right now my significant other can just barely stand the driveshaft stacked with the skis, a bumper under the fouton in the second bedroom and the e30 intake in the coat closet...

The sandblasting is all free to me. They are all small parts - things like water necks, etc. So maybe I'll pay to have them done by a pro because I don't have the time.

When they powdercoat do I have to make sure that the threads are clean so that when I put things like the water and oil temp senders in they ground out?

Thanks (know of any good race shops near Boston? Turner is in MA right?)

[ToddK]

Tom, there are two places down on the Cape. One guy is big into British cars and one guy is into air cooled VW's. The guy who likes VW's is a good guy, and does great work. I've heard good things about the Brit guy, but I don't know him personaly. When you are ready, we can have Tom Canty drop it off for you. He will get the best price because of his VW connection. Or you can cook in my garage if you find an old electric stove.

[BillWilliams]

eastwood outfit.

Prep is the key, I even use gloves to handle the parts after I have cleaned and cleaned the parts.

Threads and ports, both the inside and outside of the ports should be masked before applying powder.

Mating surfaces should also be masked.

[winstontj]

eastwood outfit.

Prep is the key, I even use gloves to handle the parts after I have cleaned and cleaned the parts.

Threads and ports, both the inside and outside of the ports should be masked before applying powder.

Mating surfaces should also be masked.

So I'm going to give a bunch of parts out to be sand/media blasted. It's free so you get what you pay for. Then I get them back and how do I prep? Should i buy bolts to put in the threaded ports? How about the mating surfaces? Masking tape?

This is starting to sound like a job for the pros - you get what you pay for and trust them to do it right. Am I wrong???

Thanks Bill for the input!

[BillWilliams]

they should do it for you, discuss it with them first.

There is a fiberglass masking tape they use for the mating surfaces and heat resistant plugs and caps for the ports.

Bead blasting and a cleaning with Marine clean should be sufficient. Keep your greasy hands and fingers off of it after you clean it

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm in the middle of restoring a 1991 318is since my 02 is perfect hee hee kiddin. Was curious to powder coat so I sent out valve cover and intake manifold to be done in silver. Looks great with nice and hard finish with clear coat on top. I would highyl recomend this place.

Bill how long did you have to wait for your enfgine from Eric?

http://www.absolutepowdercoating.com/

DLM NY

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm in the middle of restoring a 1991 318is since my 02 is perfect hee hee kiddin. Was curious to powder coat so I sent out valve cover and intake manifold to be done in silver. Looks great with nice and hard finish with clear coat on top. I would highyl recomend this place.

Bill how long did you have to wait for your enfgine from Eric?

http://www.absolutepowdercoating.com/

DLM NY

[BillWilliams]

It really depends on what is front of you when you hand it over to him.

He really did a nice job on both motors.

I powdercoated my valve cover and intakes in Eastwood's aluminum

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey, Britt How about giving me a lesson or two about powder coating.

Clyde in Little Rock