My new toy needs parts

[adkrover]

Search the web for auto paint "supplies"

[greenmeanie]

I don't know anyone who has powder coated a bulkhead.

I actually know of two both belonging to the same gentleman in Tahoe. He powder coated chassis, bulkhead and a lot of other things. Both are SIII. The first is pretty stock with a 2.25 and is in great order other than the fact it has been sitting in a garage unused for 10 years or so. The second is stripped completely but was built with a 350V8. That bulkhead is still in plactic wrapping.

He wants to sell them to me and I woudl be seriously tempted if it were not for my existing fleet and my wife setting limits.

[thixon]

Adkrover,

The stuff you're talking about is Ospho. It converts iron oxide to iron phosphate, over which you can prime and paint. I've used it a lot over the years. It has its place. I usually end up using it on parts that I've blasted that begin to flash rust because I'm lazy and don't prime fast enough.

JP,

I'm afraid to tell you the price on the Healey. If I do you'll drive to augusta, shoot me, and take the car on principle. Lets just say it was a really good deal and leave it at that! Its in rough condition, and will require a complete resto. Below is a photo in its current state. It comes with new fenders at all four corners, plus door skins and some other goodies. Oh yeah, and sorry for hijacking the thread.

[Eric W S]

I don't know about the practicality of it, or it's ability to completely cover hollow interior surfaces, but I think powder coating is probably number 2 in durability to galvanizing. This is a guess based on personal observations. I don't know anyone who has powder coated a bulkhead.

Powder is just epoxy paint with a different application and curing process...

Rusts just the same as wet paint. If it's good it might take a bit longer...

[thixon]

Powder is just epoxy paint with a different application and curing process...

Rusts just the same as wet paint. If it's good it might take a bit longer...

Agreed. There are different formulations made for different applications (some more UV resistant for example), but powders are generally just paints applied in a different way. I've played around with having parts coated, and while they seemed to have a little more resistance to being scratched/scuffed, it wasnt much. I guess my point is, i don't think it would be worth the extra money to have a bulkhead PC'd over painting it using the standard method and a good primer/paint combo.

I could be wrong!

[Eric W S]

Agreed. There are different formulations made for different applications (some more UV resistant for example), but powders are generally just paints applied in a different way. I've played around with having parts coated, and while they seemed to have a little more resistance to being scratched/scuffed, it wasnt much. I guess my point is, i don't think it would be worth the extra money to have a bulkhead PC'd over painting it using the standard method and a good primer/paint combo.

I could be wrong!

I'd agree with you 100% on that. Plus how are you going to touch up scratches or how will it buff over time? It's one coat.

[yorker]

One of my friends works at a galvanizer and he is in charge of powdercoating galvanized products. They undertook this process because NYS uses rustic rusted steel guiderails in the Adirondack park, etc. (Probably made from Corten steel) The lifespan of the rustic pre rusted products were not up to DOT's expectations so they decided they'd prefer to have galvanized and powdercoated guiderails instead.