To powder coat or paint...?

Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1351

I'm looking into having my GP-9 re-painted/re-powder coated due to its condition. It's about 4 yrs old and still works really well but the paint is in really rough shape and it's already stripped down to a bare chassis so now is the time to do it.

I have two main concerns...

1) Before powder coating the chassis needs to be stripped to bare metal. I've heard that sand/media blasting can work harden the chromoly material making it more brittle and lose some of its "spring". If sand/media blasting isn't an option then how to strip the existing paint off of it... (chemical dip, ...?)

2) The powder coating process requires a baking period at ~400-450 deg F for ~20 minutes. I'm very concerned that this baking process temperature & time will negatively affect the chromoly tubing's heat treatment, "spring", strength, torsional rigidity, etc... that is designed into the chassis.

I've done some "Googling" and have found conflicting information...

Also, are new kart chassis painted or powder coated?
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jeff grose · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject:

how about use glass bead or nut shell, those shouldn't mess with the metal Idea

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Brian Degulis · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:33 pm Post subject:

Sand blasting will not harm your frame in any way it is the best way to insure good adhesion of the coating. powder coating will not harn it either. Just use a fine blast media you don't want a rough profile.

If your hell bent on getting into finite labaratory analysis that will never effect the performance of your kart then bring it to a furniture stripper and let him dip the frame.

But wait the caustic stripper might effect the molecular cronology of the flopian tube and cause a brittling on chromofloot.

THERE'S NO WAY OUT!!!!!!!

Brian

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2771

New karts are powder coated.
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Jason Vehige · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:44 pm Post subject:

I had mine soda blasted (baking soda) then powder coated .... Kinda wish I went the BBQ paint route due to ease of touch ups....
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Tom Jensen · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:37 am Post subject:

Powder coating is more durable.
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Tom Jensen · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:37 am Post subject:

Powder coating is more durable.
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Tom Jensen · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:38 am Post subject:

Powder coating is more durable.
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Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1570

I've had many frames chemically stripped and powder coated with no ill effects. I know kart shops that do the same to many of their frames to get them looking good again.

I've never done the sandblast route, but I've heard that being too aggressive with the media can leave the texture a little rough looking, but chemical stripping works fine.

Costs about $175 around here (WI) for strip and powder.

And yes, all new frames are powdered. Much more durable than paint. In fact, very little of what most people think is liquid painted is actually done that way. Much of it is actually powder coated or e-coated, which is like a very fine powder for detail work.
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Tony Wyse · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:42 am Post subject:

How many tenths does that new paint get you?
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Keith Bridgeman · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:49 am Post subject:

Strip it down to the metal and then clear coat it. I always liked that look.
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John Mulvihill · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:10 am Post subject:

FWIW,

If I understand this correctly, a primer coat under the powder makes the finish much more chip resistant.

Check with your coater.

Also, some powdercoaters like a higher temp for a shorter time. You can often get the same results at a lower temperature with a longer bake time.

John
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Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1351

Today I met with Dan Regan the owner of a very reputable powder coating shop in SoCal.

Primo Powder Coating (Huntington Beach)

www.primo-powder.com

He looked over my GP-9 frame closely and stated that the European frames are powder coated and that the Euro powders are significantly tougher and harder to remove than any powder coating available in the USA due to the Euro powders being less eco friendly than what's available in the USA (OSHA mandates them to be more eco friendly thus making them less tough). He took a key and showed me on my frame.

Due to this, to media blast the frame would take 1 to 1-1/2 hrs and cost $125. They use nickel slag as the blast media and it would roughen the metal somewhat due to them having to be very aggressive in removing the current powder coating. He recommended having it chemically stripped and referred me to a local shop.

I visited Linco Industries in Anaheim and met with Dean Shelly the General Manager. He also does sandblasting and agreed with Dan that chemical stripping is less expensive and is a much better choice than media blasting in this case and won't damage the metal. It will cost $80 for the chemical stripping.

After chemical stripping I will take it to Primo Powder Coating. The fancier coatings cost $300 which are two layers with glitter/metalflake. The more standard coatings cost $200. He also recommended that if I was concerned with the 400 deg F baking temperature that he would bake it at 350 deg F and add 20 minutes to the curing stage (which is at a much lower temperature).

I hope this info helps...
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Ken Schilling
#21x / S4 / ProKart Challenge (PKC)
SKUSA Data Administrator

Good luck is where preparation and opportunity meet!!!

The opinions I express are mine alone and do not reflect those of any organization of which I am a member.

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1570

Good info. Glad I don't live in your neck of the woods...too pricey. Wink

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Mark Erpelding · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject: Powder Coat

I was a Manfg, Rep for Sherwin Williams Paint Co ( automotive) for 10 years and I can tell you that in a go kart situation I would powder coat it. It will hold up to the abuse that karting subjects it to.. It is not as good as a product for something that is subject to outdoor weather conditions, due to the superior acid etching pre treatments available in liquid painting. However in karting we are not concerned with corrosion. When you pick it up it will be through cured. Liquid could take months depending on temprature. I had one powder coated this summer. They told me the strip bake temp was 800 deg. for a total of 24 hrs start to finish. I elected to go to an professional automotive paint store and buy a gallon of Aircraft stripper. Used about 2 quarts. Before I applied stripper I sanded it with 80 grit to make the stripper penatrate to the metal and work it's way out. It took about 1.5 hrs to strip it completely. I then took it to the car wash coated it again and pressure washed it. The pressure washer removed it around the welds. I was afraid of 800 deg. temps. Then I took it to the powder coater he lightly blasted and powdercoated it, baked it around 250 deg not sure how long on friday . We assembled it friday night and won a race with it on sat. Liquid would still have been super soft by sat. They charged me $125.00 for Gloss Black
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