Powder Coating

kevinmrowland · 09-15-09, 07:39 PM

Ok, so some of you know that I've been trying to sort out a way to get all this stuff powder coated.
Thus far I have had a total of zero complaints on the spray coating that is on everything, it seems to be great stuff. But I want to do better.

I've tried a few places for PCing, but nothing has worked out, either they would not work with me on the small quantities of stuff I make, or wanted to charge a lot for each frame to make up for it, or would not run a texture coat...or any combination of those.

But I found a place that seems to be pretty good to work with, we did a test frame, it looks good and they think they will be able to run the frames for about $20ea.
I like it.
The only problem is that the place is a half hour away, but I don't want to have to paint anymore and I would like to offer the best coating I can get.

So some pictures:

kevinmrowland · 09-15-09, 07:44 PM

So what are your thoughts?

The coating is a nice kind of wrinkle-coat, looks like what you would see on a piece of scientific equipment, they call it their radio case coating.

At $20 is seems like it is quite worth it, and since the spray coatings cost me about $5-7 think I would charge $15 and eat the ride in exchange for not having to paint anymore.
This would mean that all the prices go up $15.

Dirtgypsy · 09-16-09, 06:29 PM

I like it! Please put me in line for the next run of Tailgate hatches! black on black non locking is A ok with me. I will also send you a PM!

Clint

Lugboot · 09-18-09, 05:51 AM

I like it, too.

GLTHFJ60 · 09-20-09, 01:37 PM

I love the textured powdercoat. I just might take mine apart to have it done!

kevinmrowland · 09-27-09, 10:25 AM

Been working on putting together the first set of powder coated frames this weekend, they look nice.
I have to run my finger over the frames to tell the difference between the sprayed or coated frames that I have here. And the coating seems to be very durable, this should help move things along.

Quote:

GLTHFJ60 I love the textured powdercoat. I just might take mine apart to have it done!

You should swing by one of these weekends, we need to sort your radio stuff out. Not sure about PCing your frame though..... I don't think that spray stuff will come off of there.

I have no complaints on the spray stuff (nor have I heard any) other than the fact that it is a pain in my but. The stuff is supper tough, in a lot of ways I like the feel and the look of it better than the powder coat, but the powder coat should be more consistent, improve the process and be a better product for all of you, so the switch needs to be made.

It does leave behind some frames that I already have coated here in the shop, I'll probably put them together and post a clearance sale here in the forum for anyone who wants to jump the ol' lists, or just save $15 over the coated lids (might be a few others that are discounted a bit more, got a couple of "seconds" that could use homes).

KR

GLTHFJ60 · 09-28-09, 10:25 AM

I definitely have to get over to your place. My problem is that this month I'm traveling almost every weekend

plutonius · 12-01-09, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtgypsy

I like it! Please put me in line for the next run of Tailgate hatches! black on black non locking is A ok with me. I will also send you a PM!

Clint

x2. I just sent you an email as well.

tag3 · 12-01-09, 10:32 PM

If you need to get rid of a second or the old painted PM me a price shipped to 95004

kevinmrowland · 12-02-09, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plutonius

x2. I just sent you an email as well.

Heading over to the email shortly...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tag3

If you need to get rid of a second or the old painted PM me a price shipped to 95004

I was thinking the same thing, just haven't had a chance to go through and see what I have.
I know I have at least two 60 frames and two 80 frames, was planing to get those together and post them here "for sale".
I'll let you know what there is once I sort it out.

ProwlerDriver · 12-19-09, 01:21 PM

I have an uninstalled tailgate lid, what are the odds of an exchange (plus $ difference) for powdercoated one?

also is brown an option now that they are PC'd?
I assume the side panels will be PC'd as well? (that purchase is coming soon

)

kevinmrowland · 12-21-09, 08:54 AM

Derek, you haven't even installed it yet!

wth.

If you REALLY want the PC we can switch it around for you, not sure of it's worth the hassle though?
I was poking around the brown samples last time I was up at the powder coat place, none of them look that great. The brown plastic is still an issue as well, I can get it, but I will cost me a lot, and 3 hours of driving. For the limited demand I've had for it, it's just not been worth it.

KR

ProwlerDriver · 12-21-09, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinmrowland

Derek, you haven't even installed it yet!

wth.

Yeah man, im bad. I bought the thing before i refurbished my engine bay (last winter!) and now ive just made it to the whole interior redo.

The only thing i keep worrying about on the install is when i had my rig linex'd i had them do the tailgate, exactly where the carpet was. (so pretty much to the outside line of the raised portion, if that makes sense) the linex is about 1/8" thick. Im weary about cutting into the tailgate if its going to effect the fitment of the tailgate holder.

Decisions, Decisions....

GLTHFJ60 · 12-21-09, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProwlerDriver

Yeah man, im bad. I bought the thing before i refurbished my engine bay (last winter!) and now ive just made it to the whole interior redo.

The only thing i keep worrying about on the install is when i had my rig linex'd i had them do the tailgate, exactly where the carpet was. (so pretty much to the outside line of the raised portion, if that makes sense) the linex is about 1/8" thick. Im weary about cutting into the tailgate if its going to effect the fitment of the tailgate holder.

Decisions, Decisions....

Wow. I need to get to work on my truck, lol. That thing is gorgeous.

kevinmrowland · 12-23-09, 06:57 AM

Derek, the extra 1/8" shouldn't be a problem.
Here's what you do, bolt in the frame you have and take it back to the coating place and have it coated to match.

Maybe remove the plastic first though, doubt it would stick to that.

On second thought, don't do that, I definitely won't take it back then.

And Johnny, does your truck even idle yet?

GLTHFJ60 · 12-24-09, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinmrowland

And Johnny, does your truck even idle yet?

Hey Kevin,

I installed my cat today and finally found some fluid film, so I'm getting somewhere!!

kevinmrowland · 12-25-09, 03:09 PM

And a big holiday

to you too Johnny!

Quote:

tag3 If you need to get rid of a second or the old painted PM me a price shipped to 95004

Just got around to posting up my painted stock that needs to go:
Winter Solstice Sale

Newps · 01-25-10, 03:41 PM

Kevin:

I am sure this has been covered before but I forget. Why do you have the lid folding out and not in? Is this a request that can be accommodated? Got to hand it to you, your lids are sweet and very well made. I hope to purchase one this year.

Thank, Tare.

kevinmrowland · 01-26-10, 07:53 AM

Hey Tare,
I've talked about the hinge direction a few times but info is so scattered that it's tough to find, so no problem.
The short answer is that it works out better that way.

I think this is the most complete answer I've given.

I don't recommend hinging the other direction and I don't think the fabrication would be as clean if it were done, but I'm pretty sure I could switch it around if you really needed.
Quite a few people have asked about this, but after they have used the lids it doesn't seem to present an issue any more.

Newps · 01-26-10, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinmrowland

Thank you, and excellent question.
I went through both options in the design phase and this is what I found:
When the tail gate folds out it facilitates using the lid as a table/place to put things removed from the box while trying to get the buried things out.
The lid can also open fully, regardless of what is in the back of the truck, like drawers, a fridge, other cargo.
For those that have drawers in, outward opening allows the drawers to be partially or fully opened depending on clearance even if the tailgate is open.
When the tailgate is closed, the latches are in the downward position and anything that bounces around in the tailgate is not likely to inadvertently open the latches, and if for some reason the latch is not fully closed, it is less likely to swing open since it has to fight gravity to do so.
On top of those things and probably most important, is ease of manufacturability. If you look at the box you will notice that the inside corners have more of a curve to them than the outside corners, by putting the hinged edge on the top/outside I can run the hinge into a square corner rather than have a floating termination that would be somewhat weaker.
Now as you have stated, this format limits opening the tailgate lid while closed. After thinking about it, I felt that this was actually a good thing because in all likelihood if the lid was opened when the tailgate was vertical, anything stowed within would most likely come tumbling out.
I could also not think of many situations where you would be inside the truck and still even be able to open the tailgate, most instances there is something in the way of the door swing, like bedding if you are sleeping in there.

I have also found that one other nice thing about the opening direction is that when laying in bed (on the drawers, which block the tailgate) if I drop the tailgate and reach out, it is very nice to have the lid open away from me in that situation.

And as far as limiting access by opening toward the user, without the scale of a user it may look like it would be in the way, but the lid only protrudes into the user space about 7" (there is overlap on the tailgate itself). Minimum comfortable standing work distance will be approximately the length of the users forearm, not many users are likely to have a forearm shorter than the 11" lid so I doubt that it would be found to be in the way during normal use.

Does any of this answer your question/address your concern? Like most decisions it really is a toss up, but I have tried to think out the problems and present the best solution.

Kevin:

Thank you for the link, this answers all of my concerns. It makes more sense to have it open the way you designed it. I see myself using your product to store food and clothing.

Tare