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Subframes To Paint Or Powder Coat


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#1 Stu1961

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Posted 16 September 2014 - 10:21 PM

Hi All

Which is considered to be the best for subframes paint or powder coat and if paint which primer and top coats are the best. Will be shot blasted first.

Cheers

Stuart

#2 RossKnight

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Posted 16 September 2014 - 10:43 PM

Lot of people powdercoat them for a nice finish, but I found powdercoating chips pretty easy. The one I built up I just used stone chip as a base coat, and then brush painted black hammerite on top. Probably sounds rubbish, but it was very tough. Just my recommendation



#3 HarrysMini

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Posted 16 September 2014 - 11:46 PM

I don't really get powder coating. My only experiences of it are that it chips easily and once it does water gets underneath it and causes large areas of it to peel off, a bit like underseal. 

 

I've used and will use again POR 15 paint on subframes/chassis etc. as it forms a rock hard finish that when topped with a suitable wax product like Dynax UC, is pretty much as good as it gets. 



#4 Ben_O

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 03:22 AM

I shall be painting mine in 2K gloss black. 



#5 Russw

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 04:50 AM

I've powdercoated mine and have done other cars too, never had a issue, I think problems arise when the prep work is poor (like paint resprays)
Sand/media blast, good etch base, the top coat, last for years.

#6 Stevie W

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 06:23 AM

I'm with Russ on this one.

The key to strong well adhered powder coating is all in the prep work.

I had one rear subframe years ago that did chip and water got underneath the powder coat and it did lift off in large chunks. But underneath the coating was just bare steel, no etch primer or undercoat.

I had my most recent one done by a local company who know their stuff and powder coat/paint fixtures and fittings for cruise liners, and this ones been fine despite stone chips. Simpy touching up the chips with black hammerite paint keeps the subframe looking good with no lifting of the powder coat layer.

Cheers, Steve

#7 Guess-Works.com

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 08:58 AM

As above...

 

I get subframes powder coated, even new ones, but first they are blasted back to bare metal which  not only cleans off any rust but gives an excellent key for the first zinc powder coat to adhere to and then a choice of colour/finish over the top... not cheap...



#8 Ruckus

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 09:47 AM

Seem weld first?



#9 The Principal

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 09:55 AM

Seem welding is ok but a bit of faff if your not replacing all the bushes etc, the last two subframes I replaced where stripped back one 2pac and one powder coated both are 5 years old and look as good as new. They cost me £100 each start to finish.



#10 HarrysMini

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 10:00 AM

The only way to really protect them is to get them galvanised.. Everything else will need redoing at some point.



#11 mini93

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 10:11 AM

I've worked at a few places that have used powder coated products. Subframes being one of them, fitted to rally cars, absolutly no problem with adhesion even after being battered with stones. I doubt your average road mini would have as tough time as a car facing a full season in the BRC.

 

Another place worked used powder coated cylinders (among other things) These being fitted to military vehicles, some times the cylinders would become damaged and only time the cylinders would loose its coatign was when something cut into them. Some cylinders even passed my big effin hammer test.

 

key being you need the surface absoutly spit clean, thoroughly degreased.

I'll be powder coating my components for sure



#12 PaulColeman

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 12:33 PM

I used Frosts chassis black as I'm not a fan of powder coating. I have had stuff (non Mini) powder coated in the past and wasn't happy with how thick the stuff was and the fact that most of the components wouldn't fit together again because of the increased thickness.

 

Don't view it as a permanent solution as nothing lasts forever.



#13 Stu1961

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 06:13 PM

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think the key to the powder coating option is getting the prep right as I said frames will be shot blasted prior to any treatment, my issue with it is getting the primer stages bang on you cannot guarantee whoever your trust the work too will do a proper job. Don't like the idea of it all flaking off even if the finish is very good.

 

I like the sound of Por15 have heard of this stuff before not heard a bad word against it, so bearing in mind the frames will be shot blasted would you go for a coat of their self etching primer or 'Rust preventative Paint' (UV sensitive) followed by a coat of their  'Chassis Coat Black' or 'Blackcote' (Not UV sensitive) What is it like to brush paint?

 

Like the idea of galvanizing, would be a sensible option for the rear subframe especially.       



#14 Covert

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 07:02 PM

I had a quote for the rear subframe to be galvanised , £250! And i would have to give it to them blasted , mine will be covered in zinc rich etch primer then have 2 coats of 2k paint .

#15 Fast Ivan

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Posted 17 September 2014 - 07:16 PM

The only way to really protect them is to get them galvanised.. Everything else will need redoing at some point.

including galvanizing






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