I picked up a set of Dan Starnes sub-frame connectors to install on the Grabber. I'm thinking about having them powdercoated prior to installation. How bad is the heat from a Mig-Welder gonna screw up the powdercoating? Any experience? Thanks ...
Never experienced it but you would have to grind the coating off around the weld anyway so why bother?
If I have to repaint only a small amount at each end due to the weld .. then that's fine ... But if I lose 6 inches or so of coating or it bubbles or anything like that I won't bother coating. Of course ... I'd have to powdercoat them before installation if that is the route I want to take ... that's why I'm asking.
first of all, powdercoating is a form of paint. and in order to get a good weld you will need to grind to bare metal for proper penatration. I have done this, and it has turned out ok for me. you still will have to protect the weld afterwards. So long as your heat isnt to high it wont curl/bubble the coating to bad. Like I said, Ive done it a couple of times for myself and it turned out ok. However, I WOULD NOT DO IT ON A CUSTOMERS CAR. So its boiling down to personal preference. Do you powdercoat, grind, weld prime and paint weld w/paint that doesnt really match the powder. Or do you install the part, grind your welds, prime and paint to match/or undercoat. Your decision.
I would install the bars, grind, and paint. You could use spray-on bedliner for added protection...after you weld them on.
Thanks ... I'll see what kinda price they want on the coating of the connectors ... I am having some hood hinges blasted and coated too ... If I can have 95% of the connecters coated and just have to touch up the ends with matching paint ... I'm good with that ...
It's my understanding that there are two different types of powders in common use. One is a one-time-only cure type that will not go through the curing process again when subjected to high temperature. The other type will re-cure anytime it is heated above a certain point. If you're concerned about the heat produced by the welding process, I'd say you likely want to go with the one-time-only cure powder. You can also have whoever applies the coating mask off the ends before they apply it, so you'll have a bare surface to weld on. When I had my spindles and other odds and ends coated, they just used painter's grade masking tape on the areas I didn't want coated.
