Chassis powder coat vs paint

[Troy P.]

I have never had a Corvette part powder coated but the potential restorer for my 63 chassis thinks it the way to go. Any thoughts pro or con?

Obviously it's not an original coating but I'd be interested to know how the chassis paint/coating may be dealt with in C2 judging if I go the powder coated route.

[Bob R.]

[Patrick H.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

If it chips, it is much harder to touch up.
If done wrong, it appears far too thick.

With today's epoxy primers and excellent paints, it doesn't make so much sense.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Powder coat! Frame is blasted, then dipped, then your choice of finish. Powder coating gets where paint cannot.

Dom

[Paul S.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Powder coat , by the time i buy primers , paint etc , and figure my labor . I can powder coat for less money and have a more durable job

[Leif A.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Another vote for powder coating. Had mine done nine years ago (45000 miles) and it looks just as good as the day it was done. Caveat...my car is only driven on dry weather days...never sees rain. I do wipe it down when I change the oil every 3000 miles...that's it. There are many different level of gloss/sheen...mine may be a touch too glossy, if I had it to do over I would knock the shine down a little and go with more of an eggshell/softer sheen. Pictures taken about three weeks ago during its' fall service.

[Frank D.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Yes and that sticky, nasty mess can be pretty fairly reproduced, its not a fun job and, having done it once, I wouldn't do it again.

[Troy P.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Thank you for your input. Your's does look too glossy. But still Top Flight?

[Leif A.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Thank you for your input. Your's does look too glossy. But still Top Flight?

Yes, in both 2016 and 2017 at the Lone Star Regional. It takes more than a bit too much gloss on a chassis to knock you out of Top Flight.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Troy,
Try semigloss. I love leif's frame and as I said paint WON't find it's way in between welds, or be as expensive or labor.

Dom

[Terry M.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

If durability is your primary concern, and judging is not a major consideration, I recommend hot dip galvanizing. The molten zinc gets everywhere and will last longer than us and our grand-kids. It is the same process used to protect street light poles (most of them) and high tension power towers. Cover with the nasty petroleum based material used by the factory and one might get past the judges. Or at least you will have them scratching their heads trying to figure out what you did.

I preserved a Chevelle frame this way. I expect it will last well beyond the time when I will stop caring about that. The surface ends up being a little rough, but for that car, a mild resto-mod, that doesn't matter. The galvanizing factory weighs the frame and charges by the pound. The frame had to be bare and grease free. As I remember the price was less then $500, but that was in the range of 20 years ago. YMMV.

[Richard F.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

I have never had a Corvette part powder coated but the potential restorer for my 63 chassis thinks it the way to go. Any thoughts pro or con?

Obviously it's not an original coating but I'd be interested to know how the chassis paint/coating may be dealt with in C2 judging if I go the powder coated route.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

Well, all my lawn equipment is powder coated and no cracks, and it bends when used. Also one paint shop has some of their work powder coated as a primer, then sands it and top coats it.
I had to remove the state vin that was welded on my frame and I sanded and mixed poly paint to the correct gloss and it is non detectable.
I also found that when I straightened the frame, I bent it wrong and sent it out to be powder coated.
When I lowered the body I found the mistake and cold bent the frame with padding and no cracks or scratches.
Also welded a crack on a vintage motorcycle frame that I missed when I sent it to be powder coated. It is not visible after filing, sanding, priming, and paint.
There are a lot of powder shops and a lot of coatings. Just find a good one.
They also sand blasted dried the dried grease off.

Dom

Dom

[Robert W.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

When I bought my "new" frame from Vette Parts of MI, I asked the same question. Response, there's a lot of original frames out there with original coatings on them and your probably never going o leave your car outside again, are you?...

[Chris S.]

Re: Chassis powder coat vs paint

I powder all my frames - never a deduct
I use a flat powder 5 to 10 percent gloss
30 is what I use for all other parts and is a satin