Paint or Power Coat

[Malsprint]

My recently acquired Sprint came without an original airbox. Xvivalve provide a replacement along with a host of other spares.

I had read that power coating is more durable and flexible than paint so I decide to have a go a power coating using a cheap gun from Eastwood (US company).

It turned out really nice but the coating is actually more brittle than paint and has a tendency to chip. Once chipped its harder to touch up than paint. I may have applied the coating too thickly.

I have coated some other items, a wheel, brake peddle and clutch brackets which turned out great.

My experience so far is something like an airbox is better painted.

[cleverusername]

How did you prep and cure your powder coated parts? That will have a big impact on the quality and durability of your finish.

[new to this]

Ive got one of those Eastwood powder coating kits,not got round to using mine yet

Dave

[TrustNo1]

if its chipping that easily it either not prepped correctly, not coated fully or not cured right.

How are you prepping and cleaning.
What static device do you use and
how are you 'cooking' the parts?

I have a powdercoating set up from
https://www.electrostaticmagic.co.uk

I always sandblast and clean using a paint prep cleaner first and have dropped and 'scratched' a few parts i have done and they have survived

[xvivalve]

It still looks a lot better than when it was in my possession!

[Malsprint]

I wouldn't say that the coating chipped easily. The clip in the photo is welded on at a slight angle which means you need a lot of force to close it. The clip is also quite sharp. This combination chipped the coating where the clip grips the airbox. Then when unclipping the same dynamics cause the clip to hit the airbox with a lot of force. I expect that paint would also be damaged but maybe more of a scratch than a chip. And easier to touch up.

I prepared the piece the same as I would for paint. Removed most of the paint with a wire wheel. Soda blasted hard to reach areas, Sanded with 120, cleaned with painting prep.

Then coated and cured at 420F for 20 mins. I definitely did apply the powder a bit to thickly in some places, especially between some of the folds of the sheet metal.

This is my set up. A bit Heath Robinson but does the job. I also set up a double oven in the garage that somebody was throwing away.

All in all I have been pleased with the results and would recommend this gun.