Moparts

Powder coat a dash frame?

Posted By: busboy

Powder coat a dash frame? - 01/16/18 06:21 PM

Any issues with grounding points powder coating the dash frame? I'm getting a bunch of pieces sand blasted and the guy is able to powder coat the dash frame if I want, just don't want to run into electrical issues down the road.
Posted By: peabodyracing

Re: Powder coat a dash frame? - 01/17/18 12:39 AM

I ran a production powder coating shop for over 18 years. We catered to a lot of walk in traffic as well.

You'll likely get a lot of varied input to your question.

From personal experience, one of our sales guys powder coated his dash and did encounter some problems getting things to ground when reassembled. You can make it work, but it takes more effort than you'd like. I would vote against it.
Posted By: PurpleBeeper

Re: Powder coat a dash frame? - 01/17/18 02:13 AM

Powder coating is non-conductive like most paints. It is usually quite a bit thicker when applied & A LOT tougher to scrape away ground contact areas for sure. I didn't run a powder shop, but I have powder coated myself & use to sell powder coating for a major powder coating company (for whatever that's worth).

I personally don't see a problem with powder coating your dash. You might consider taping off some areas where ground wires go so no powder gets applied there? Maybe ask the coater not to go too thick (black doesn't need to go on thick to "hide"). "Maybe" if the powder got on the dash at .080" thick or something things might not line up perfectly?

If you do powder coat it, MAKE SURE you use a TGIC polyester, PRIMID polyester or preferably a "super durable" version of one of these types. These offer the best sunlight-fade resistance. You DO NOT want either epoxy or "hybrid" (1/2 epoxy) type powder coating on a dash or it will chalk/gray/fade in a couple years.
Posted By: Gavin

Re: Powder coat a dash frame? - 01/17/18 02:18 PM

I powder coated my Challenger dash frame, would not hesistate to do it again - cheap, durable, looks great. As far as I'm concerned the grounding issue is really no different in principle than for painting it. As PurpleBeeper said, paint is non-conductive. Most likely the factory paint was thinly applied, at least in the grounding area, and the attaching bolts scraped away enough paint to create a ground. If you painted the frame, you'd likely do a more thorough job than the factory, which might mean you have to pay more attention to the grounding (i.e. maybe manually scrape away the paint rather than rely on the bolt). Same deal for the powder coating, just that scraping it away is a bit tougher but 100% feasible.

Additionally, IIRC in some applications Mopar used ground straps for example the steering column - that is also an easy and viable option
Posted By: FJR doc

Re: Powder coat a dash frame? - 01/17/18 03:42 PM

I had my A body dash frame powder coated. It came out as a perfect match for the black suede finish. The cost was very reasonable. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. When I assemble the car, I intend to grind the coating at all attachment points of the frame as well as areas of grounding.
Posted By: BDW

Re: Powder coat a dash frame? - 01/17/18 04:43 PM

No different than paint as far as grounding goes.
Get out the Dremel and hit the ground points, simple.
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