Powder Coat a frame?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Threads
90
Messages
703
Location
Gilbert, AZ
What is the cost to powder coat a frame? Do you think that is a better way to go rather than rust prohibitive paint?
 
powder coating is the cheapest way to protect your chassis effectively. The major downside to powder coating is that it does not reaaly bond to the metal. It creates a capsule around the metal. So when it damages moisture can ingress and corrosion can start in places where it is not readily vissible.

IMO, painting your chassis with a paint that binds to metal or even rust, is the better practice. Personally I have good experience with POR 15. But from what I gather on this forum it's pretty much personal preference which paint you use.

Galvanizing is an other option. Works great as rust proofing. Gets in every cavety(cavaty??...whatever) of your chassis. But painting a galvanized part is pretty difficult if you're looking for a stock look.
 
Thanks guys that helps I found a place that will Sand blast the whole frame and powder for $350. But I will check around more I think paint is a better option because I can bring it in as a roller and they will hit it all.
 
I have done several frames for muscle cars that I restored and they have held up fine over the last 13 years. This being said, these are cars that never see rain and are not every day drivers. The coating is much more durable that paint as far as scratching and abrasion. Be aware that alterations (grinding/welding) after the frame is coated has to repaired and blended in with paint witch is difficult do to the thickness of the powder coat. So far the only repairs I've needed have been to the bottom of he Cobra frame with a small artist brush where it bottoms out every once in a while. Here in North Jersey they get $700 to blast and coat a frame so that is a good deal. It all depends on how you plan on using your rig.
 
it looks good but during assembly you have to pound the bolts through the holes and that defeats the purpose of powder coating at least for mud and salt protection unless you seal the bolts.i have a powder coated frame here going under my 69 fst .it was a barn find and after 15 years in that barn covered with bird s*** it cleaned up nice.
 
My neighbor had his 40 frame PC'd for blasting the frame, axles, trans, transfer case, skid plate and some misc items cost him $675 give or take. Can't remember exactly but it was right around that number. PCer did a really good job at getting the inside of the frame rails its fully coated as far as I can see with a flashlight and mirror. Problem is the thickness around bolt holes as someone else already said, we had to sand down spots to get bolts into the holes. Just take your time and don't beat them, then it will crack and potential to rust.
 
Paint will protect the frame as well and as long as it needs to be protected if it is done right and is easy to touch up when you have to weld, cut or drill.

That said, if you can get the whole thing done for $350 do it.

For paint you can clean it, kill the rust with phosphoric acid, prime with a good rust inhibitive primer & topcoat with a good quality paint but you will probably be into it for $150 in materials if you count all of the paint, acid, wire & abrasive wheels & clothing you will ruin.
Cleaning & painting the frame was a 3 weekend project.
 
do the powder coat...300 bux is average...BUT, make sure you mock up the entire vehicle the way you want as touch up can be a pain....For some reason, the powder coat is soooo much easier to power wash than paint.
FJ40 Project Pics 165.webp
FJ40 Project Pics 151.webp
 
Can't really PC the inside of the frame very well.

How do they powder coat the inside, of the frame. I have a 55 and the frame is boxed in alot more than a 40. It took alot of effort to coat the inside of my frame with a flexable hose and two Eastwood products. How is the powder applied, in those areas?
 
like anything, you can get quality job or s*** job that looks quality.
i have been getting 40 frames PC for a couple decades now for my builds. it comes down to the prep work.
you can take a heavy hammer and beat a quality job and no flaking will result. you will have to bust right through the PC and chip the metal to see metal.
PC is paint, it bonds like paint. it does not create a "capsule" around the item. it bonds to the item.
for bolt holes you use high heat tape, roll it up and stick it into the holes. take your time to do the prep correctly.
you might still need to thread chase the holes after but the job is quality when done.
since PC is paint then should you need to touch up then normal paint bonds completely with the PC. this is not PORcrap which nothing will bond to.
the finish will be good for decades but i still recommend, if you live in areas that are prone to rust, to have the frame rust inhibited in Aug each year for preventive maintenance.
cheap prep job is a waste of money
 
I have an Eastwood powder coating kit that I can do any thing up to the size that fits in my welding rod oven. There is a ground hook up the the part that is getting coated so that the powder is attracted to the peice by an electrical charge. You can see the powder coat actually getting drawn to the piece as it leaves the tip of the gun. I noticed that hard inside and outside right angles are sometimes more difficult to coat than flat sufaces. Professional companies with professional equipment most likely have different tips and do not have these problems.
 
Crushers,

How does your shop, sandblast and powder coat, the inside of these frames. Do they use some sort of hose to reach the bad spots. It looks like frames rust from the inside out, where the mud and water sit. I've seen frames sandblasted and not even touching the inside, would a chemical dip be better?
 
i have not watched how they do it, i see the results.
they are the pros and when an item comes back i check it over carefully for any flaws.
i will need to ask next time i get some parts done.
 
Back
Top Bottom