I'm Just finishing up on A TPI for Ed from NE3G.

1st Picture is A base coat In ArgentSilver



This is The Almost Chrome..... Mot to much of a diff.



Just need to finish up on the TB now.

 

Looks good.

 

Looks good! Is mine next?

 

Looks like that would beat the heck out of polishing. Did I read somwhere the other day that someone had 70 hours into his TPI? Maintenance free too! Powder coating is tough and it's not difficult to do at all as long as you can find an extra oven to put in the shop! Two thumbs up here!

 

Looks excellent TPI. Being a powder coater I'm sure you know you can't leave these "not" top coated. The argent and almost chrome must be top coated with clear or translucent or they print and fall apart and discolor having to do with the actual metal content these powder colors have.

When and if you do topcoat with a clear be careful. They cure at lower temps and when you are doing large metal parts the temp has a tendency to heat rise on you.

I just turned a manifold into a crispy bright golden scorched color from a heat rise. Nothing like sandblasting twice.

 

Ya sandblasting twice sucks. been there done that on some BigBlock Parts Ive done....

I know your sopost to topcoat both of these colors but I'm good friends with this guy Russ who Ownes H&R Plating which does, Ceramic,powder,dry film,and thermal coatings. Along with Chrome Diping and Anodizing and polishing.

He said He never CLEARS Agr. Sil. or AMC or Mirror Silver if the parts are under the hood. and The only reason he will clear the mentioned colors is, IF they are exposed to direct sunlight all the time. IE, RIMS etc.. other wise the Clear is a waste since it dulls these colors.

Russ has been in Biss. for 35yrs there now, So I will trust his word. If something I coat does get to bad I will redo it for the customers satisfaction and my own.

Thanks the thoughts though.... BTW do you have any pic's of your work? what kit and powder do you use? oven?

Im getting ready to build a 5'Hx3'Wx4'd oven so I can do larger stuff. Right now Ive been using Eastwood powder and Just now getting ready to use products from Tiger Drylac

 

ya I'm the one with 70 hours in my TPI :-) about 10 hours or so was the "learning" process though. I'm redoing it this summer though. not shiny enough, and thats why I decided not to powdercoat, you just can't get it to shine as good. Me like shiny!

 

True, You cant get the shine like polishing. but then again Some people dont like to keep up the polised tpi. Powdercoat it and no need to keep polishing.

Personally Im either gona PowderCoat the Stealth Ram Im getting or have It chromed

Heres another tpi I did... posted it once befor already.

 

Heres a pic of some big block parts he just did for me.

 

Last one with the TB done.......

I slaped the Fogger Nitrous plate in the picture for good Looks. Its just one I have layin around in a box of parts

 

TPI .... that is really exciting news. I love the way the argent looks. I have hesitated using it because of the clear. I have also tried Columbia Coatings Products and they are also good and a little cheaper. He is the one that said the silvers have a prob with "printing" if they are handled and he also mentioned the UV stuff.

I would be interested in seeing these parts after some normal use. It would give me a ton on new uses and projects cuz' the silvers really look good.

As far as what I have coated I have mainly been doing <A HREF="http://www.gmtips.com/ultra-works/main/dox/restore/67-mustang/67-mustang-001.html">My Sweethearts Mustang</A> and if I post pictures of that you KNOW what will happen to me ..............LOL but you can check em' out if you want.

I use the less expensive Eastwood gun and an old electric oven someone gave me. Yep.... the first thing you find out is your oven isn't big enough. I have "cooked" some stuff with part of it hanging out, like sway bars, and then just flipped it around.

 

MikeInAZ,

Ya, I cant wate to see the parts say a month or so after normal use, but Like I said befor I will take Russ' word for it.

I Use the same eastwood gun as you do. They have tons of stuff that comes in handy. BTW, I learned the hard way you cant wetsand and buff the Almost Chrome. but most of the other colors you can and they look awesome afterwards.

Thank mustang is a beauty. Should look great when done.

 

tpi383 about how much are you charging to do the runners plenum and intake? Please drop me an e-mail and let me know. belyk85@hotmail.com Thanks again

 

I haven't had anything critical enough yet (bumper brackets, suspension parts etc.) to sand and buff but I'm anxious to try it. I will use your advice and stay away from trying it on the silvers.

I have a couple of ???

Have you tried the translucent powders because my first attempt failed miserably.

How does the clear work for you? (also failed).

I am looking forward to trying Eastwoods new high temp colors.

Another good thing about powder coating, at least your plenum and manifold is that it will "seal" the pores and it will stay cleaner and it will be easier to clean. The porous stock cast attracts and keeps gunk.

 

85maroz28,

You got mail

Mike,

Ive done the Trans. Blue, and the Chrome Smoke. and They look great. What I found to do is with the Trans Blue. do a light even coat. Dont lay in on heavy. Drop the temp down to 400* and leave it in for like 10minutes. DO NOT let it cure all the way. Pull the part out and let it cool down so it WARM to the touch. They do a 2nd coat. You should see the powder start to melt a little.

This is what my buddy Russ(owner of H&R) has told me. Works great so far.

This is a Alt. bracket I did ALM then Black Tint over that. In the sun up close it looks like a Deep Deep Cherry Red. but at normal distance it Looks like a awesome Glossy Black. This piece has NO CLEAR on it but man it looks like a nice Black base/clear coat paint job

 

What maintenance, if any, is involved in the powdercoated TPI? What about the polished?

It hasn't been that long since I polished mine, but if powdercoat is going to last forever and be extreme low maintenance, you may be getting another customer.

 

On the polished parts a good coat of carnabu wax will cut down on upkeep. After a longer period, if the part is in a harsher condition area (wheels) you can do a quick white rouge rebuff to renew them.

Powder coating in general is pretty well maintenance free. You can clean it and I'm thinking I read in my kit you could wax it as you would any automotive finish.

What I'm wondering is if carnabu wax on those argent and almost chrome silvers would offer a degree of protection?

And if they would discolor any at all by applying a coat of wax?

Any experience in this TPI?

Do you have a scrap piece done in argent that you could try a coat of wax on?

If not I may give it a try next week at work.

 

belyk85@hotmail.com

 

Actually I havent tried to wax a piece of agrent or almost chrome yet. I have been told You can wax powdercoat like you said. I think I can dig up a piece of scrap to coat and try it out.

I just did a set of Jamex STB ends and they look awesome.

 

This thread is about my TPI that Chris (TPI383) coated.

Let me tell you, he has been great through this whole process. My TPI was in tough looking shape, mainly stained from different (nasty) cleaners over time. Now look at it!

He's fast, meticlous AND extremely reasonably priced. The whole experience with him has been nothing short of fantastic.

I strongly recommend his work to everyone looking for some quality powdercoating done.

Ed

 

Hey Ed how did ya find my post here ..lol...

Thanks for the kind words. Im hoping to get more powder soon and get the covers beadblasted.

 

TPI383,

In order to powder coat LT1 Fuel rails do they have to be taken apart??

 

Can you powdercoat a plenum that has already been polished? I'm thinking of sending mine to you in the fall when the car goes into storage...but will the powdercoat stick to a smooth surface?

 

very nice. Wouldn't putting all that paint on the TPI make it hold in heat? Just a curious question

 

Clear powder coat? Is it possible, why not try polishing then powder coating if a clear is possible it would be awesome on a polished TPI.

 

Thanks Guys...

About the fuel rails. Ive never seen a set of LT1 rails off a car in person. But Ya I could do em...

About powder over Polished. The SLP runners and plenum were polished 1st. Then ceramic coated. got tired of that and sanded the ceramic off and did a quick polish job and then powdercoated it in Almost Chrome. So to answer Your question YES.

and Yes I have CLEAR POWDERCOAT ALSO... glossy clear, and satin clear... Just never tried it over a polished piece yet. Ive been told its gona Dull the shine down some just not sure how much.

Guys Im working on www.cecoatings.com now With pictures/ prices etc.... The history and explenations of powdercoating and Some color charts. but for now if your really wanting to get something done please e-mail me at either tpi383@svol.net / coatings@bronze.svol.net

 

What and how exactly is powder coating done?
Aj

 

without getting into a long post.. look for www.cecoatings.com to be up in the next week,

But in Short its

Powder Coating offers a superior finish while adding many performance properties such as excellent resistance to corrosion, heat, impact, abrasion, UV rays and extreme weather conditions.

Is this a new process and where is it used? Although powder coating is relatively new to some markets, the process has been around for approximately 50 years. It has been the number one finish choice of many manufacturers in a wide range of industries for many years. Powder coating finishes can be found on motorcycles, automobile parts and frames, agricultural equipment, garden equipment, aviation parts and recreation equipment including bicycles, boats, recreational vehicles, ATV’s and golf equipment, etc. A superior finish combined with durability greatly reduces required maintenance and extends the life of any coated product thus making powder coating the right choice.

How does the process work? The process is relatively simple. A finely ground powder is applied to the piece and adheres electrostatically. The part is then placed in an oven where the powder melts, flows, and fuses to itself producing a continuous hard coating.

 

If I don't perfect this polishing thing on my TPI back plate, you may be picking up another customer.