Paint or powder coat?

Being a powder coater myself I'm just a lil bias on powder coating. Bottom line it is a more durable coating. Painting a frame may allow you to do it yourself & save a few bucks & it also allows you an easier match of color if your trying to match the color on the body. Matching the powder to paint is a real headache that should be avoid if possible, but matching paint to powder is a lot easier. Keep that in mind when picking a color scheme. If the frame is going a basic black or another simple color I would powder coat it. Cost in my shop for a tri five frame in basic black is 350-400. That's frame only & no sandblasting charges. Good luck
BB

We had the chassis powdercoated turquise to match the car on our latest project and couldn't be happier with the results.

Jim,
Where was your frame powder coated at?
BB

BIG-BLUE said:

Jim,
Where was your frame powder coated at?
BB

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Mine was done in Paso Robles but I've heard good things about Pacific Powder Coating on 23rd off Florin Perkins Rd in Sac.
Jim

my experiance is go with powder coating... amazing stuff, just do it...

I would go with powder coating arty0031:, but if you are like me and will be adding bars and stuff for a roll cage I would paint it. If you are planing on having any work done on the frame do it first because you can't touch up the powder coat like you can paint.

Just remember powder coating is 10x more durable than paint !

I was surprised how inexpensive powdercoating was. At least compared to what I expected. Looks great. I have gone back and done a couple things to the frame and touched up with paint-very small parts. Hardly noticable.

I have an AME frame that I am powder coating. So far I've done the complete rear end and suspension.
It's a two coat system - Pewter Silver/ Clear Coat.

Pacific Powder in Eureka, CA is doing the work. He has done several AME frames and the parts are coming back perfect.

Quoted $1100 for the total job including sandblasting.

HE is also picking up and delivering! What a Concept!!:happy0030:

We powder coated my sons entire chassis in his 85 Buick grand national. could not be happier with the results.

If you want a "smoothed" frame, you should paint it and not powdercoat it imo. I think an AME frame and other aftermarket frames are pretty smooth as built, but stock frames have a lot of waves, wrinkles, and often dents in them. As far as I know, you can't use fillers under powdercoat so what you see is what you get. Also, if you want to match a metallic body color, you can't do that with powder. Mine's going to be painted.

Chevynut said:

If you want a "smoothed" frame, you should paint it and not powdercoat it imo. I think an AME frame and other aftermarket frames are pretty smooth as built, but stock frames have a lot of waves, wrinkles, and often dents in them. As far as I know, you can't use fillers under powdercoat so what you see is what you get. Also, if you want to match a metallic body color, you can't do that with powder. Mine's going to be painted.

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Chevynut,
Actually you can match powder to some metallic paints. There is a place in Oregon called NIC that does a great job matching colors, but the process can be costly & time consuming. They also have a huge selection of colors avaliable & will do an archive check if you can supply them a color chip to match.

sounds like powder is leading the poll. As this is more of a fair weather daily driver, I am thinking too that powder is the right answer. Just need to find a good coater in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. I did find one guy 3 hours south of here. I am sure as I start this project that the frame coating will be the least of my troubles, but I am sure looking forward to it.

Why would an AME chassis need any work done to it. I was under the impression that AME builds each chassis to the clients needs. I have spoken to them personally and they are true professionals. I plan on buying a chassis from them fo my 56' and will have it powdercoated as well. Basically for durability purposes as the car will be a driver. Great info here!

My vote goes to Powdercoating. I also prefer a contrasting color for the frame. I REALLY dig the silver/gray/cast color as opposed to black for frames. Just brightens everything up underneath. Especially on something as nice as an AME frame.

I would do mine powder coat.