PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS

Posted By: 71redcuda

PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 12:52 AM

Hi,

Just want to check if there could be any problem to powder coat torsion bars instead of using regular paint..The heat and the torsion bars getting stressed when installed.. I understand the ends needs to be masked off so they fit in the control arms and frame.

Thanks
Nicklas

Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 03:26 AM

As a general rule I don't like powder coating, it promotes corrosion.

Posted By: Q5_Ed

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 03:31 AM

Can you please explain that statement? Just curious.....

Posted By: moparborn

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 03:45 AM

I do not know that powdercoat will flex very well.I believe it would crack and flake off.
Urethane paint would be my choice.

Posted By: moparborn

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 03:49 AM

Quote:

Can you please explain that statement? Just curious.....

It can chip,crack then moisture can get in between it and the metal and rust,much like undercoat,you have to repair any cracks,chips pronto.

Posted By: 70Cuda383

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 03:55 AM

Sounds the same as paint to me.

Posted By: moparborn

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 04:05 AM

Yes is does but due to the thickness and stiffness of powdercoat,you do not see what is going on until the damage is pretty bad.

Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 04:51 AM

Quite simply, paint is correct powder coating isn't.

Then you get into physical property variables or paint vs powder coating. I don't like the thick, gloppy, and usually overly glossy look of powder coating, especially on a restoration.

Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 05:09 AM

I just knew somebody would ask that, that's why I didn't say anything more. Paint is chemically bonded to clean metal, and powder coat is just plastic powder that is heated and melted. It's just laying there. If you have to do anything after powder coating something, like say ream a hole back to size cause the bolt won't fit anymore you have broken the seal, or sand the ends of the T bar the seal is broken, and moisture will wick up under it. In Alaska they had bush planes that had tube fuselages that looked ok, but upon inspection they found that most of a tube has rusted away under the powder, and it still looked ok. Some lawn mower companies have quit using it on the mower decks for the same reason.
It's ok on certain stuff, like my Hemi valve covers, but that is not K frames, T bars, or structural parts.

Posted By: AZ_A12_BEE

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 05:13 AM

Quote:

I just knew somebody would ask that, that's why I didn't say anything more. Paint is chemically bonded to clean metal, and powder coat is just plastic powder that is heated and melted. It's just laying there. If you have to do anything after powder coating something, like say ream a hole back to size cause the bolt won't fit anymore you have broken the seal, or sand the ends of the T bar the seal is broken, and moisture will wick up under it. In Alaska they had bush planes that had tube fuselages that looked ok, but upon inspection they found that most of a tube has rusted away under the powder, and it still looked ok. Some lawn mower companies have quit using it on the mower decks for the same reason.
It's ok on certain stuff, like my Hemi valve covers, but that is not K frames, T bars, or structural parts.

Rust might be an issue where you live where your cars rot from the inside out but out here there is no difference between paint and powdercoat

Posted By: 1971 Gran Coupe

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 07:20 AM

I agree with the correct aspect, but if you like powder coat use it. How many torsion bars have you seen rusted to unserviceable? And with the caliber of cars being fixed up, are they going to see much salt or corrosion sitting in the garage or at the local car show.

Quote:

Quite simply, paint is correct powder coating isn't.

Then you get into physical property variables or paint vs powder coating. I don't like the thick, gloppy, and usually overly glossy look of powder coating, especially on a restoration.

Posted By: PasiR

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/05/14 02:08 PM

Rust might be an issue where you live where your cars rot from the inside out but out here there is no difference between paint and powdercoat

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/06/14 12:49 AM

Quote:

I just knew somebody would ask that, that's why I didn't say anything more. Paint is chemically bonded to clean metal, and powder coat is just plastic powder that is heated and melted. It's just laying there. If you have to do anything after powder coating something, like say ream a hole back to size cause the bolt won't fit anymore you have broken the seal, or sand the ends of the T bar the seal is broken, and moisture will wick up under it. In Alaska they had bush planes that had tube fuselages that looked ok, but upon inspection they found that most of a tube has rusted away under the powder, and it still looked ok. Some lawn mower companies have quit using it on the mower decks for the same reason.
It's ok on certain stuff, like my Hemi valve covers, but that is not K frames, T bars, or structural parts.

The powdercoating industry has addressed those issues the last few years, assorted primers and rust preventive bases are/can be added before a part is powdercoated...

FYI I generally prefer to dip the torsion bars (after derusting/stipping) in POR-15 Chassis Black and let them drip dry horizontally for a factory appearance

Posted By: elitecustombody

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/13/14 05:16 AM

Quote:

As a general rule I don't like powder coating, it promotes corrosion.

Did a thought cross your mind that maybe your powdercoater skips a few important steps in the process?

Properly done powdercoating should not chip,peel or crack.

Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/13/14 05:36 AM

Ever watch the chopper show with junior? After they get a frame power coated the bolts won't fit the holes, so what do they do? Take a drill bit and ream it, which brakes the seal.I was just saying it's ok on certain stuff. I don't have a personal powder coater,cause like I said, as a rule I don't like it.
To the OP have the TBs coated, and if they put to much on the ends, and they won't fit in the sockets, then what? Grind it off? Then you just broke the seal.

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/13/14 05:59 AM

Quote:

Ever watch the chopper show with junior? After they get a frame power coated the bolts won't fit the holes, so what do they do? Take a drill bit and ream it, which brakes the seal.I was just saying it's ok on certain stuff. I don't have a personal powder coater,cause like I said, as a rule I don't like it.
To the OP have the TBs coated, and if they put to much on the ends, and they won't fit in the sockets, then what? Grind it off? Then you just broke the seal.

The bars could be treated with an acid etch-ant high temp primer for corrosion resistance, the hex end can be "taped" off during the powder coat application, good communication to the coater as to your intended usage/application from the end user goes a long way in achieving the desired results/benefits

Posted By: 71redcuda

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/13/14 07:23 AM

Great with all replies.. They ended up like this,dipped in paint.

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Posted By: Stanton

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/13/14 07:14 PM

Wow, I've never seen a "stock" pair that had that many drips!

Personally I don't care for powdercoat. I paint most things myself at my convenience. The finish is great. I can mask what I don't want covered. If it ever chips I can touch it up or redo it. And a good prep, epoxy prime and single stage is a pretty good coating.

As for the comments about "breaking the seal" - well, that will happen with just about any coating with any thickness ... unavoidable.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: PAINT VS POWDER COAT TORSION BARS - 03/14/14 03:00 AM

ours had that many too.

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