Powder coating question for those with AM bumpers, etc...

[MYSHERPA]

Forgive my powder coating ignorance, but I'm wondering if I buy a powder coated bumper then take the coating off in areas to weld additional tabs on it if it's just a matter of getting those areas re-coated or if I would have to strip the entire bumper down and re-coat all of it for it to look right?

Thanks,
Jake

 

[dranven]

This is speculation, but since it goes on like spray paint, I don't see why a small area couldn't be "patched up"; however, I think the question would be whether a shop will be willing to only charge you for that small area. After it's sprayed, they have to bake it in an oven, so they may want to charge you for the whole bumper since they have to handle it and it takes up space in their oven.

Also, another consideration with the powder coat would be its age, as it does fade over time.

Having said that, you may want to look into cans of spray paint in the same color and finish (e.g. rustoleum or krylon) and see if you can touch up the small area to your satisfaction. If not, it would be cheaper to respray the whole bumper.

 

[NLXTACY]

The metal needs to be charged first and then painted and then put into the oven. It's my understanding that the metal must be bare in order for the powder adhere properly before baking. You can mask off threads and such.

 

[MYSHERPA]

Thanks for the info guys, so it looks like I'll be buying a brand new bumper, stripping it, welding, then re-coating it. Kinda sucks you can't just order an ARB bare steel...

 

[Kernal]

Is there any other manufacturer that makes a bumper with the tabs you want, Slee maybe??

 

[Delancy]

Thanks for the info guys, so it looks like I'll be buying a brand new bumper, stripping it, welding, then re-coating it. Kinda sucks you can't just order an ARB bare steel...

Not really that big of a deal, man.

Grind off where you need to, weld, then take to a powder coater that offers blasting.

Most all locally have blast cabinets, or drag it outside and shoot it.

 

[Flank]

I was told by my coater that it is no problem to patch a PC area. I built my bumper but before I coated it I asked them about grinding and welding and re-coating. He said they can coat the bare areas and re-bake the whole thing. This shop specializes in industrial coatings of all sorts, PC is only one of the services they do.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

Maybe ask the maker if the bumper can be ordered without the coating or if they can weld on custom tabs before hand?

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Just rattle can it. Eventually the entire bumper will be rattle canned anyways. It's not like you are going to have your bumper powder coated every time you get a stone chip or rock rash or anything else that damages the finish?

 

[dranven]

Just rattle can it. Eventually the entire bumper will be rattle canned anyways. It's not like you are going to have your bumper powder coated every time you get a stone chip or rock rash or anything else that damages the finish?

I agree with him ^

As someone with a powder coated:

front bumper
rear bumper
roof rack
sliders
wheels
many small misc things

Never again. I will stick to rattle canning. I bought all that gear used and it had minor damage, so I got it all re-powder coated. A wise local told me just to rattle can it, but I didn't listen.

Got some damage on the rear bumper recently and tried to touch it up with rattle can paint, but it was not a match, so I redid the whole thing in rattle can. Looks great!

The best part? When it gets more damage in the future, just a quick "tssssst" and it's good as new. I consider myself a bit of a perfectionist and was worried it would look "patchy" using rattle can, but it looks great - nice and smooth throughout.

Sorry to get off topic, I just figured I would share my opinion coming from a a guy who is on a first name basis with the guys at the local powder coat shop.

 

[Flank]

If you do use a rattle can, use a satin or semi gloss. Primarily it will be much easier to clean than matte, will look nicer when cleaned, and will touch up more uniformly.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Ace hardware brand black satin. Cheaper, bigger can, better nozzle than Krylon.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Powder coat just does not seem to hold up!