Mistake?? Painted chrome
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
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From: Santa Clarita
Powder coating is unnecessary if you prep and paint the surfaces correctly. If you painted without sanding the metal, and using self-etching primer, the top coat will lift sooner or later. I recommend SEM self-etching primer if you are using rattle cans. For chrome, you can use sandpaper as well, but you're better off to take it to a chrome shop to have the chrome removed, then paint.
I've done this a number of times using the method I describe with no problems. Unless you are going into the higher level of powder coating, in my opinion, there is no advantage to conventionally painting your parts. It's simply another way to lay on paint. It has advantages in the industrial process, as the turnaround time is much less, but people have confused that process over the years with ceramic coating, porcelaining, and anodizing, all of which are more durable. There are levels of powder coating which ARE more durable, but that's not what's generally available to the typical user, unless you do your research and are willing to pay the freight!
I've done this a number of times using the method I describe with no problems. Unless you are going into the higher level of powder coating, in my opinion, there is no advantage to conventionally painting your parts. It's simply another way to lay on paint. It has advantages in the industrial process, as the turnaround time is much less, but people have confused that process over the years with ceramic coating, porcelaining, and anodizing, all of which are more durable. There are levels of powder coating which ARE more durable, but that's not what's generally available to the typical user, unless you do your research and are willing to pay the freight!
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I used 3-4 different grits of sandpaper to get down to a completely dull surface, cleaning with mineral spirits frequently. Hit it with a couple coats of etching primer and now layering on the black. Looks pretty good so far. A little fine wet sanding here and there to take out blemishes. I would powder coat but thought I had some time. Might as well mess around a bit. I also live in the country 20 miles from a town of 3000 so we don't have the resources some of you lucky guys have.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
I used 3-4 different grits of sandpaper to get down to a completely dull surface, cleaning with mineral spirits frequently. Hit it with a couple coats of etching primer and now layering on the black. Looks pretty good so far. A little fine wet sanding here and there to take out blemishes. I would powder coat but thought I had some time. Might as well mess around a bit. I also live in the country 20 miles from a town of 3000 so we don't have the resources some of you lucky guys have.
The reservation I have with mineral spirits is that I've never used it, and I don't know if it leaves an oily layer on the surface...if it doesn't, not a problem. I assume you're using rattle cans, if that's all ya got, great, the layers aren't very thick...on the other hand, don't lay on TOO much paint, either!!!
The advantage of powder coating for a guy in your situation is that you can yank everything off, take it to the powder coater, pick it up a week later, one and done. If you do the job correctly yourself, there will be nothing wrong with the results, and it looks to me like you got a handle on it!
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Motown_HOG
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Aug 12, 2006 11:47 PM
