Frame Coatings
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New User
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Mid-Michigan
Frame Coatings
I would like some knowledge/experience/opinions on whether or not I should powder coat or paint my truck frame. So a little backstory information. I am currently doing a frame off restoration of a 1977 Ford F-250 Super Cab Camper Special 2wd pickup. I am converting it to 4x4 so I figured that putting a very durable frame coating would help the truck last longer. I have a sandblasting/powder coating business no more than 15 minutes from my house and would like to know if anyone has had either good or bad experience with a powder coated frame. The paint I would use instead of powder coat would be Eastwood Extreme Chassis Black (https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-ex...ack-paint.html). What would y'all recommend? Any opinion/experience will help!! Thanks in advance!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 765
Likes: 13
From: Edmond, OK
Just like paint, surface prep is the key. Does the powder coating company do the blasting, or do you have to go somewhere else to have it blasted? My powder coat guy doesn't have means to blast, so you bring it in done or he sends it out. If so, he'll need to tell you what abrasives for your blaster to use as to what type finish he wants. My seat of the pants thought, especially on a frame, the rougher the better for good adhesion. Most of the bull bars and grille guards I've seen chip and rust easily, I don't feel they've been prepped properly, and don't get me started on tubular running boards.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Mid-Michigan
I have not gotten a quote yet. My powder coating guy does have in-house blasting capabilities. All I would have to do is strip the frame of wires, brake lines, etc. and then take it to the shop.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,504
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From: Wildwood Pa
If your frame has rust & pitting, and you want to end up with a smooth finish, powder coating may not be for you. There is no easy way to fill the pits to smooth the frame before coating. If you are painting it, traditional body work techniques can be used to smooth the frame before paint.
I prefer using an epoxy primer, followed by a catalyzed urethane or enamel topcoat. If you ever have any issues that need repair it can easily be done with a painted frame. Powder coat not so much.
We have hundreds of trailers & pieces of construction equipment where I work. Those that are painted hold up much better than those that are powder coated.
I prefer using an epoxy primer, followed by a catalyzed urethane or enamel topcoat. If you ever have any issues that need repair it can easily be done with a painted frame. Powder coat not so much.
We have hundreds of trailers & pieces of construction equipment where I work. Those that are painted hold up much better than those that are powder coated.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2018
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If that's true you need to find a better powder coater lol. Powder coating is far more durable than paint when the surface is properly prepped and the powder coating applied properly. It's not even close in terms of durability.
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Senior User
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As for an epoxy primer, can the frame be epoxy primed in sections, or does it need to be applied in one application?
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New User
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Mid-Michigan
Did you have the frames sandblasted first or did you follow the method POR had (remove paint and flake rust, Cleaner Degreaser, Metal Prep, POR-15)? Does POR-15 come in gloss only or can you get a satin black color? And did you have it top coated with POR-15 Top Coat for UV protection?
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: NW Indiana
My 73 is essentially PC'd from the frame down including axles and leafs ,innerfenders, core support and every bracket I thought that would need it. If you will EVER modify anything...don't bother with the powder. Seeins that your doing the 4x4 swap I wouldn't powder until the entire truck is built....tear down , then coat. Changes happen ie extra holes for coolers,brake line clamps etc.
Prob with powder is that once a chip from a rock happens it lets moisture get under the PC and eventually you have trouble. I'm betting your not driving this truck around the rustbelt in the winter and it being coated with road salt for 6 months a year so maybe it's right for you.
Prob with powder is that once a chip from a rock happens it lets moisture get under the PC and eventually you have trouble. I'm betting your not driving this truck around the rustbelt in the winter and it being coated with road salt for 6 months a year so maybe it's right for you.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Mid-Michigan
I live in mid-Michigan 
so yeah the truck will see some sort of salted roads during its lifetime. I have another vehicle (better on gas) that I plan to drive in the winter but the snow can get pretty deep here and the 11.5" of ground clearance my car has just won't cut it. So with that in mind, what would everyone recommend?
so yeah the truck will see some sort of salted roads during its lifetime. I have another vehicle (better on gas) that I plan to drive in the winter but the snow can get pretty deep here and the 11.5" of ground clearance my car has just won't cut it. So with that in mind, what would everyone recommend?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
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Or is this what you mean by paint?
