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LivinInnaVWBus
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2013
Posts: 968
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 Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 1:24 pm Post subject: Paint VS. Powder Coating |
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| Good afternoon guys and gals! My bus is currently a daily driven rolling restoration. I'm toying around with the idea of paint vs. powder coating on parts like torsion plates, front beam, bumpers... etc. What are your thoughts on which will last the longest? I'm specifically looking into painting it with KBS clear - http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=623679&highlight=kbs |
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Air-Cooled Head
Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2002
Posts: 4070
Location: Chicago Suburbs
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 2:02 pm Post subject: |
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Without a doubt, Powder.
There are home PC kits available, but the problem is home PC requires a large enough oven to fit your parts. Torsion covers, no problem. Beam, different story.
There is of course, professional PC available, at a cost.
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VW_Buggsy
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2002
Posts: 517
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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^^ yep that pretty much ^^
Powder coating is awesome and I do a lot of it at home. I have a double wall oven that i removed the center divider from to make a tall oven. I have a strong compressor, a blast cabinet, a pro quality gun, and basically a nice set up.
That said, it's not like it's magical. It's better than paint, but it can still chip and scratch and fade and fail. For my driver cars I often just paint stuff because I'm always changing things and changing my mind about what I'm running  a rattle can is pretty fast and not too fussy about prep work, at least if you aren't too fussy about the results.
But yeah it's better than paint. |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76939
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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POR 15 wears like iron if applied as directed. I did the beam ans suspension on my Beetle 17 year ago and it still looks great.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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LivinInnaVWBus
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2013
Posts: 968
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| POR 15 wears like iron if applied as directed. I did the beam ans suspension on my Beetle 17 year ago and it still looks great. |
I've read many instances where it was applied according to the directions and ended up lasting a short amount of time. Any tips? |
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fuscavw
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2004
Posts: 270
Location: SE Idaho
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I love paint and have always used any economical 2 part industrial urethane that's inexpensive and durable. I've never been a fan of POR 15. |
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abritinthebay
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2012
Posts: 294
Location: San Francisco, USA
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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Not really comparable. They are different and because of that good at different things.
Powder coating is basically layering your part with plastic (very thin, flexible, plastic). It's great but will never look quite as good as paint + clear does.
For things like Bumpers though - it's perfect because of how it is both strong and flexible and therefore will be resistant to damage.
I love powder coat but it's the case of "right place, right tool" for it OR paint. |
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