Opinions On Paint Vs. Powdercoating

dixie1865 · May 27, 2010

I would like some opinions on the adv/disadv of paint or powdercoating. I have a '08 Sierra A/T (black) and am going to get the chrome portion of the bumpers colormatched. The powdercoating will be a little less expensive, but I wonder if it will hold up to N. Illinois winters (roadsalt). I'm also wondering if it will match the factory paint (I know black is black). Anyone with any powdercoat experience please chime in with the good or the bad. Thanks for the input.

amtz.zero · May 27, 2010

I live in SoCal, so it's VERY dry where I live . So I don't know how well powdercoating would hold up to rust, but it would be more durable when it comes to things like rocks hitting it and stuff.

C. Charles Hahn · May 27, 2010

More than anything, the most important factor for durability is the prep work done on the bumpers before you have them painted or p-coated. They should be blasted to remove all of the chrome plating and then sealed with a rust-inhibiting primer before anything else is done to them, at which point either option would probably be fine.

I would note that the finish quality will likely be much better with paint than with powder coating, and would match the rest of the truck better.

88K5 · May 27, 2010

I say go with a good quality 2K bc/cc.

jblakeney · May 27, 2010

I say go with a good quality 2K bc/cc.

Ditto 2k epoxy primer and base coat / clear coat....

Jbo

sam92lx · May 27, 2010

Im going to have my rear bumper powdercoated.....I have a buddy who does the coating. He just some extra steps need to be taken when doing this b/c of the bumper being outside its whole life.

Willshire · May 27, 2010

I am gonna agree on the bc cc. Pretty tuff stuff but i can say without a doubt that thedge of the bumper that faces the wheels is where the paint will start to come off. And since you need to remove the chrome to paint the protection will be gone as well. If you could protect the edge of the bumper from debris and salt, you would protect the paint on the outside. Stone guard the inside of the bumper right around the edge to where it meets the paint or use some plastic edge guard. Just some suggestions to extend the life of the paint job especially in salt winters. No drip oil undercoat every sept. Here in ontario we keep sifto salt in business.

dixie1865 · May 28, 2010

I'm working on getting bumpers ordered which are not chromed. The body shop I talked to was a little concerned the sandblasting might leave less than a smooth surface. I have confidence in the body shop I went to. They fixed my wife's SUV after she got hit and the work was impecible.

I'm not sure of prep work which is done before powdercoating. When I talked to the guy on the phone, he said they heat the part to be coated first and then spray it and then do th efinal baking. He said their coating ends up slightly thicker than the typical paint/clearcoat. The other thing about powdercoating is the whole part would be coated front to back.

I'm not familiar w/ 2K, enlighten please.

Sam92lx, what are these extra steps your friend knows of???

C. Charles Hahn · May 28, 2010

I'm not familiar w/ 2K, enlighten please.

2K refers to a catalyzed paint system, as opposed to a non-catalyzed 1K paint system. Catalyzed paints tend to be more durable since they cure harder than a non-catalyzed paint.

rc51matt · May 28, 2010

i wa thinking of powder coating my motorcycle frame and swingarm because my boot wears through the paint on the swingarm

dixie1865 · May 28, 2010

I'm not familiar w/ 2K, enlighten please.

2K refers to a catalyzed paint system, as opposed to a non-catalyzed 1K paint system. Catalyzed paints tend to be more durable since they cure harder than a non-catalyzed paint.

So I guess this is something I request when it is at the bodyshop or powdercoater. Sorry for the dumb question, I've never done any bodywork before.

C. Charles Hahn · May 28, 2010

So I guess this is something I request when it is at the bodyshop or powdercoater. Sorry for the dumb question, I've never done any bodywork before.

No. It all has to do with what paint system the shop is using, not what you need to ask for.

Most any professional body shop you go to will be using a catalyzed system.

sam92lx · May 28, 2010

I'm working on getting bumpers ordered which are not chromed. The body shop I talked to was a little concerned the sandblasting might leave less than a smooth surface. I have confidence in the body shop I went to. They fixed my wife's SUV after she got hit and the work was impecible.
I'm not sure of prep work which is done before powdercoating. When I talked to the guy on the phone, he said they heat the part to be coated first and then spray it and then do th efinal baking. He said their coating ends up slightly thicker than the typical paint/clearcoat. The other thing about powdercoating is the whole part would be coated front to back.

I'm not familiar w/ 2K, enlighten please.

Sam92lx, what are these extra steps your friend knows of???

Where are you getting these bumpers from?? I'll ask him this weekend...something to do with the UV rays and whatnot.

dixie1865 · May 29, 2010

I'm working on getting bumpers ordered which are not chromed. The body shop I talked to was a little concerned the sandblasting might leave less than a smooth surface. I have confidence in the body shop I went to. They fixed my wife's SUV after she got hit and the work was impecible.
I'm not sure of prep work which is done before powdercoating. When I talked to the guy on the phone, he said they heat the part to be coated first and then spray it and then do th efinal baking. He said their coating ends up slightly thicker than the typical paint/clearcoat. The other thing about powdercoating is the whole part would be coated front to back.

I'm not familiar w/ 2K, enlighten please.

Sam92lx, what are these extra steps your friend knows of???

Where are you getting these bumpers from?? I'll ask him this weekend...something to do with the UV rays and whatnot.

I've been looking around online for replacement parts

jblakeney · June 1, 2010

Depends on the body shop.... Some use 2k (paint, reducer, & hardener primers)..... Some still just use paint and reducer........... I sell paint...... You would be surprised what they use sometimes...

Personally, paint is my only choice if your going to have it exposed to sun light...... Powder Coated usually fades in direct sun light... Prettty quick... At least what I have seen power coated..... But IT IS QUITE Durable in the long run..... I have a frame on a truck I had coated several years ago...... It is still GLOSSY black.... But it does not see sun light much....

Jbo