Paint or Powder Coat

Matt Overbeck · Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Posts: 21

As the the karting season winds down around here I am starting to look towards improvements for next season. I want to rebuild my sons kid kart, the paint on it looks ok, but it is getting worn and peeling around the engine mount and rear bearing carriers from repeated cleanings with brake cleaner. Whatever kind of paint that is on it gets soft with brake clean and some color will wipe off onto my rag. so my question is what holds up better to cleaners and solvents? Powder coat? Or maybe an industrial paint like DuPont Imron?

Chris Reinhardt · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:04 am Post subject:

Matt, the key thing here to understand, powdercoat is paint. If you had a polyurethane paint that came out wet from a spray gun, you can also get the same polyurethane in powder form, it's just applied differently.

I don't know of any paint that will hold up to brake clean, maybe ceramics$$$$

Powder coat is probably a better bang for you buck, you just need to use a chemical to clean it that won't attack the paint. WD40 works well, any type a kerosene based solvent, Gunk...etc

CR
_________________
East Coast Super Kart Series
"This is how we roll!"
www.eastcoastsuperkart.webs.com

CR2 Motorsports
"Home of Cobalt Superkarts"
www.CR2MotorSports.webs.com

Walt Gifford · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:36 am Post subject:

I just wipe the kart down with a rag. The only area that needs solvent is the rear sprocket from the sticky chain oil.

Gif Cool

_________________
FAA certified jet engine and aircraft technician
Nicholson Speedway class champion 2001
Yamaha KT100 Service Center
40 years karting experience

Brian Degulis · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject:

Powder coating is generaly more chemical resistant than paints. If you want an absouloutly chemical resistant coating go Awlgrip. It's primarly a marine paint (I own a company that builds tug boats). I sandblast then coat with Awlgrip 545 primer then an awlgrip topcoat. It is a no maintenace coating that is UV and chemical resistant like no other paint I'm aware of. No chemical you will be using will hurt it. I'm doing a kart now I'll snap some pics and post them hear.

Brian

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

Get it powder coated, which is how it came from the factory. Then use WD-40 to keep it clean. Do not use brake cleaner. Brake cleaner eats any paint. If you need a liquid to wash out the oily residue from the chain, etc., use starting fluid, aka ether. It works very well and will not damage the powder coat.
_________________
High Quality American Made kart stands. Available direct to you or through one of our many dealers.
www.kartlift.com
Toll Free: 877-777-8020 or 608-235-4761 anytime
www.facebook.com/kartlift

Brian Degulis · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 2:32 pm Post subject:

Blasted etch primer black Awlgrip

jeff grose · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 3:41 pm Post subject:

Nice looking paint job.

Now i'm gonna resist the urge to ask about the 2 window shakers in 1 window Shocked

_________________
jlgracing
#31 Gillard/PDBAmerica
IAME Leopards by P1 Engines
Tag Sr./FKCS/WKA
Driver: Jesse Grose
Remember: "No matter where you go,there you are"

Cesar Rull · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject:

don't you guys have to sandblast the paint off the frame before painting it?

I too would like to paint my frame in the future. In the mean time to prevent rust I am thinking of just spraying the bottom with some black paint. (the fame is black)

How long did it take to take the chassis apart? I am very tempted... it seems like its about just removing the rear axle and the front wheels.

Mike Goebel · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:33 pm Post subject:

Cesar Rull · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:52 pm Post subject:

I mean you have to remove other things, but the axle and front hubs seem to the be most intricate.

Cesar Rull · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:52 pm Post subject:

I mean you have to remove other things, but the axle and front hubs seem to the be most intricate.

Jerry VanDeusen · Joined: 26 Sep 2001 Posts: 415

nice paint job

butt.... the 2 ac units in one window ???

Brian Degulis · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:56 am Post subject:

It took me around 4 hours to remove everything from the frame. I think sandblasting is a must.

Brian

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

It usually takes me 3-4 hours to totally disassemble a kart, then at least that long to reassemble it. The pedals, braking system, fairing...it all adds up. Mine are Tag karts, so you've got the electronics, battery box, etc. It would take less time for a 100cc kart.

My guy uses chemical stripper instead of sandblasting, although either method seems to work fine.

Once you get it done, I highly recommend some sort of plastic frame protectors for at least the waist area and perhaps the front tube. My driver has a habit of driving straight over the top of any curbing if its the fastest way around, regardless of what it does to the underside of the frame. Sacrificing the plastic guards over chassis metal is a must for my karts. J3 offers some nice guards as well as VerdeSpeed. Both do the job.

http://www.verdespeedresources.com/e-store/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=111
_________________
High Quality American Made kart stands. Available direct to you or through one of our many dealers.
www.kartlift.com
Toll Free: 877-777-8020 or 608-235-4761 anytime
www.facebook.com/kartlift

Mike Goebel · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 7:27 am Post subject: