Epic powdercoating mayhem is about to ensue... (UPDATED PICS!!!)

Jrgunn5150 · Jun 17, 2008

Re: Epic powdercoating mayhem is about to ensue... (TONS OF PICS)

I have a Dewalt random orbital sander that works pretty well. I haven't given it any heavy duty long lasting projects yet though.

Just as soon as I clear out some room in the garage, I'm going to snag an electric oven on ebay and give this a try, it would certainly set trans pans and whatnot apart. I'm looking forward to seeing how all this turns out.

Steven · Jun 17, 2008

Re: Epic powdercoating mayhem is about to ensue... (TONS OF PICS)

paul, do you have an actual oven? or just a lamp? I looked at kits the other night. A pro kit starter pack is around 900 with the lamp setup, no oven. Trying to figure out a way to setup a way to do it at my house, as I have the sand blaster, air tools, and air compressor all ready to do something like it, just trying to find the best starter setup.

Paul · Jun 17, 2008

Re: Epic powdercoating mayhem is about to ensue... (TONS OF PICS)

I've got a normal oven. I bought it used from a buddy of mine for $75 and ended up just putting it in the garage. It started out on my back porch, but then I realized powdercoating outside is a bad idea. :uglystupid2:

Here's my thread that should give you much of the information you need.

http://www.sn95forums.com/forum/index.php?topic=19391.0

Paul.

fixthedoor · Jun 17, 2008

Re: Epic powdercoating mayhem is about to ensue... (TONS OF PICS)

I was gonna say it looks like you're putting that oven to good use. Nice work! :thumb:

DeWalt is a good name for tools in general, they handle the abuses of stupid people quite well... no offense. I can't comment on their sanders though as I don't have any experience. DeWalt tools are basically more durable Black and Decker tools however. I've used a Porter Cable that's stood up to a few hours of use with few breaks.

I found a magazine from 06 that rated orbitals and it rated Bosch best overall and best value. It's scratch pattern was better than more expensive machines, basically it's more efficient at removing material. The model is Bosch 1295DVS. I'm sure it's been updated since.

Paul · Jun 17, 2008

Re: Epic powdercoating mayhem is about to ensue... (TONS OF PICS)

A friend of mine recommended a Porter Cable, so I bought one of those off Amazon - it should be here by the weekend. Hopefully it holds up longer than the black and decker.

Paul · Jul 8, 2008

Re: Epic powdercoating mayhem is about to ensue... (UPDATED PICS!!

Well, I did a TON of coating today. I was in my 118 degree garage for almost 12 straight hours. I am BEAT.

Radiator tubes:

Before:

After:

Ford 2.3 Turbo Parts Before:

After:

Various stuff for my friend's cobra kit car before:

After:

Fox valve covers prepped - these fuckers take FOUR HOURS PER PAIR from start to finish. :wall:

After - the chrome and silver powdercoat lays down SO nice. I love it.

Silver metallic:

Chrome:

At the end of the day, I realized the only part I did for myself was the radiator tubes. Everything else is for friends of mine. Ah well, I'll get to more of my stuff soon enough.

Paul.

Peter · Jul 8, 2008

those stock fox valve covers look mint.

How much do you think you would charge to do a set that would match the color on the holley systemax intake? I think its pretty close to those gun metal ones you did (in the first post). or maybe its kinda inbetween that and the silver metallic.

5.Woahhh · Jul 8, 2008

Do a how to write up on powdercoating Paul! Shit looks professional!

Paul · Jul 9, 2008

Peter said:
How much do you think you would charge to do a set that would match the color on the holley systemax intake? I think its pretty close to those gun metal ones you did (in the first post). or maybe its kinda inbetween that and the silver metallic.

The gunmetal is pretty dark - I don't think it would match the Systemax II manifold. I'll do a set in any color you want for $100 shipped. It's just not worth it for me to charge any less. It is a huge amount of not-so-fun work to get the valve covers to look like that. Combine that with the cost of degreaser, brake cleaner, glass media, sandpaper, electricity, towels, powdercoat, and everything else and I'm barely paying myself anything for my time.

Paul.

Steven · Jul 9, 2008

Hey paul, would if i prepped it on my time and sent it your way, and you finish up the easier parts, powdercoated it, and sent it back? Lets just say in general on most items, pretty much cut price in half or what? I'd send you the part though, you just do the powdercoatin

Paul · Jul 9, 2008

It would definitely lower the price if I didn't have to prep it. That's the worst part. However, if you did all the prep work yourself you might just want to get a quote from a local powdercoater. Since you'd have to ship it to me and back, it might work better that way.

Steven · Jul 9, 2008

i'll see, problem is though is local powdercoaters are few and far between here, kinda like race tracks :nonono:.

Paul · Jul 9, 2008

Honestly, if you want to save the hassle and shipping fees and time, I'd just spring for the $100. If you knew all that was involved in getting those valve covers to look like that, you definitely would rather just pay the extra $50 to have it done for you. I've sanded five sets of fox valve covers, and I don't plan to do any more for quite some time. I hate doing it. It sucks. A lot.

Steven · Jul 9, 2008

I have no doubt that it sucks. Problem is, i sold all my pushrods and 2v's, and sprung for a 3v :crazy2: I just want to get the 3v covers powdercoated. I've done ALOT of resto mod stuff, and have spent my fair share of time in the blasting area cleaning parts, i definately feel you on the prep work.

Paul · Jul 9, 2008

oooOOOOooooh. That definitely makes a difference. LOL

The 3v motors have metal valve covers? I don't really know anything about the new stuff.

I killed two Black & Decker vibrating sanders before I got wise and bought a Porter Cable. It's more money, but it has worked like a champ so far.

Steven · Jul 9, 2008

black and decker don't last long around here. Most die within a week, Porter cables do a pretty good job. Yea there aluminum. I'll probably pick up a spare set of stockers to have redone. Not sure how you could make them different then just solid black. :dunno:

Paul · Jul 9, 2008

Well, you can certainly do them in another color - that would definitely set them apart from the rest. You could try crazy stuff like a chrome basecoat with a translucent blue or red top coat or something like that too.