before i get the engine put back together i was wanting to get some things powdercoated but i dont know what CANT be coated. i was thinking of getting the valve covers, air cleaner, thermostat housing, and intake done. plan on going with flat black/black crinkle/black that isnt shiny. and also, any idea how much that would cost? the thermmostat housing and valve covers are chrome so i assume they take more prep work

 

A local powdercoater quoted me $70 for all three pieces of my intake. Included sandblasting. It was half that for valve covers, but they're not chromed like yours.

 

I have done powder-coating on and off for the past few years.

Nearly any engine part can be powder coated however theres a few things you should keep in mind.

Very porous metals as found on some intakes are simply not worth the time effort and money powder coating. When the pieces are finished the powder coating really amplifies the quality of the metal and such porous surfaces look very poor after powder coating.

Make sure you put very much time and effort into the prep work. Any oil or residue that is left on the metal will blemish after coating. Also make sure you seal off ALL threads before powder coating. If not the coating will get on the threads and bolts will not fit. You will have to run a tap through all the threads if this happens.

You can buy a powder gun from eastwood for fairly cheap and the process is not hard at all. I myself bought a gun and picked up a used oven to use in the garage for baking parts. I have even cut the sides out, put heating ducts on the end and powder coated a a 9 inch and a 12 bolt rear axle.

For the price you will pay some one to do the work you could have yourself setup quite nicely to powder coat at your home.

 

Is there any difference between the commercial powder vs. the powder you can buy at harbor freight tools?

 

^Yes and finnish can look alot different. I have a few friends that tryed home powercoating and it was ok for some people and under car parts. But and pro in a room that heats it is 100% better On my 01 camaro every single part that un bolts was powercoated and it is perfect no orange peel look. On a 2000k mile DTS 12bolt after sandblast It took 3 coats to have this.

Oh and the rear end cover is a tri-metalic that looks awsom in the rear light.
On my 3rd gen I will go with a flat black for a factory look.

 

Just like painting a car. Theres cheap powder and cheap paint.
anything under your hood can be done. metal to certin plastics YES PLASTIC. Ive done a few LS1 intakes.

Flat Black/ Black wrinkle or some of the cheap powders (as in cost not quality)
Chrome can be coated as well. Not any different then other stuff. A media blast of everything will aluminum oxide will be fine.

 

i hate to jack the thread but whered you get the fuel tank?

 

Thunder racing sold them but did make them so if you want one go with Nasty talk you can find him over on LS1TECH. That is my 4gen.