I have a k-frame and some other suspension components that I need to refinish. My question is, is powdercoating worth the extra expense over some type of paint? I want a good finish that will resist oil and grease but I don't really want to spend extra money for powdercoating if there is a paint that is as durable.

I had mine done. If you add up the price of a good quality paint, all the materials that go with it, and having to pay someone to blast and paint it for you if you can't do it at home then the price of painting doesn't look so affordable.

I used a paint similar to por 15 and used a foam brush and reduced the paint some so it would lay nice and smooth. It's really strong and durable and looks almost just as good... and alot cheaper!

I think powdercoating is overhyped. I see it fail all the time, especially on brackets that have an edge on them, like ones made out of 1/8 inch steel. The coating fails right on the edge and starts rusting underneath. My Westin side rails on my Rubicon are doing it now, and already had to replace the KC light brackets for the same reason, only about a year old

I also think it's overhyped. I see guys powder coating valve covers, fan blades and engien accessory brackets. Yeah it looks nice and is durable, but most of that stuff doesn't take any damage or contact once it's bolted in. Like your K frame. Do a decent job of cleaning it and painting it, what's going to happen? Unless you plan to take your car 4x4ing. It looks great, but whether it's worth the money is up to you.

I did my battery tray only, but the only reason was corrosion resistance, everything else has paint on it.

If i remember right, dayclona mentioned he used base/ clear coat paint on a lot of suspension parts and it seemed to work pretty good. not sure how the price between that and powercoating differs though.

Also one guy I know was getting something for his car powder coated, he said they charged him for the rack so he squeezed on as many odds and ends as he could. I would do the same in that situation.

Between how durable properly prepped powdercoating is.. And what it costs when you get the right connection... I feel it's very worthwhile...

My cost for all this stuff was around $600.00 (I actually traded labor)

BTW if it peels around the edge that probably means they took the raw steel parts & powdercoated them without any prep... IE blast the steel to give it some mechanical adhesion..

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I like powdercoating, but have had good luck with rust bullet type paints..

I buy the small HF sprayer and get a qt of paint and blast and clean the parts, sometimes ospho them... When the cheapy sprayer wears out I just throw it away and get another.....

PS. they never get cleaned very well either.. The Lacquer thinner costs more than the gun..

Worth the money!

For years I've been having the kids' racing kart frames powder coated for 2 reasons:

1) it was easier than me blasting and painting them
2) one of the club members owned the company and did them for less than I could buy paint for

HOWEVER, the powder doesn't stand up to laquer thinner, brake cleaner, varsol or gas. While these chemicals won't strip it away, they will definately ruin finish.

There are paints out there that will easily stand up to these chemicals. If you paint the stuff yourself you can redo or touch up anything that gets buggered up in the future. This can't be said for powdercoat. If it dulls, chips, or whatever, you're screwed.

Yeah, all that stuff looks pretty sitting on a blanket, and it'll look real nice on a trailer queen, but let's see it on a driver after putting some wear and tear on it.

I had all the suspension pieces and engine pieces painted on my charger 6 years ago and still looks good.Is a lot easier to clean.But some chemicals will scratch it.Depending on the color it could be real noticable.While i do not drive my car very often it does get driven.I do not own a trailer and do take it on long drives and clean up is a lot easier.Defeinitly worth the cost if the person who does it does it right.I had my k-frame dipped before it was coated to get everything inside.

one thing to not overlook to is e-coating. that started out as a base for powdercoating and in my eyes is the BEST way to do it. you know it was thoroughly cleaned before paint (goes through a wash to remove any "light" oils) it gets submerged in a tank so it has paint EVERYWERE and the millage is perfect all the way across.