Powder coating springs? Does it change the springs characteristics?

[Clarke673]

Ok so I have some Walker Evans springs that I want powdercoated blue or black and I was wondering if this would change the springs in any way?

One friend of mine told me that she had her spring’s powder coated several times and after a fresh set of powder coating she went out and after hitting a little jump broke a spring. I guess she could also tell the sled handled different every time?

Another friend said that there is no way the springs could be affected and if they were it would be so minute you wouldn’t notice them?

And lastly, the powder coating guy says that it won’t affect a thing (obviously…he wants to powder coat my springs lol)

Also, what would some of you guys charge or be charged for powder coating all these parts? Rails, a-arms, head, clutch cover, wheels, can, bumper, handle bars, and riser?

(BTW, my friends aren’t the little voices in my head.. i swear they are real!)

 

[Ex-Member]

huh.... My bet would be it wouldn't last long; the powdercoat would flake off.

I'd look into epoxy paint. Used that stuff at my last job, and I had to use a metal grinder to get that stuff off. Even welding near the stuff; it just kinda bubbled. That stuff will last and last and last.

 

[WhistlerCowboy]

Some springs are already factory powdercoated.Most powders cure between 350-400 degrees f and there are some low temp curing powders as well.PC will stay on longer than the stock paint jobs as they are more flexible-Find a coater that can do all the parts in one batch,if you clean and strip any old finishing off the parts the cheaper it will be.Usually a clearcoat is required for some exterior uses but there are some powders that don't require it as they are more durable to weather/road salt etc.

 

[Thistledoo]

Have done dozens of suspension springs over the years...usually we scuff them up really good and giver...never had any issues

 

[davidhahn15]

Have done dozens of suspension springs over the years...usually we scuff them up really good and giver...never had any issues

im guessing you powder coat by the above reply. and not to get off topic here but i talked to a guy who powder coats today and he suggested i get all my parts sandblasted. what other options are there to prep the parts for coating? (scuffing, grinder, etc?) what works the best and is the easiest to do. I guess im just looking for an excuse to be out in the garage and have something to do besides just look at my sled lol!

 

[WhistlerCowboy]

Whatever it takes to get to bare metal,sandblast to remove paint,or even good old industrial paint stippers will take the paint/old powdercoat off quick as well as some skin.It burns--Bare metal and clean is what you need for a good adhesion.

 

[Clarke673]

how much would you qute me on poweder coating? I am wanting to do most of the parts in atomic orange and some of them in white and black

I need the following

Atomic orange
Rails
engine head
clutch cover
aluminum plate aprox 12x6
exhaust can
handle bars
a-arms
hinges
spindals

White
Rear suspension
tie rods
aluminum plate aprox 12x6
rear bumper

 

[WhistlerCowboy]

Pm'd you.

 

[NoSecondChances]

im guessing you powder coat by the above reply. and not to get off topic here but i talked to a guy who powder coats today and he suggested i get all my parts sandblasted. what other options are there to prep the parts for coating? (scuffing, grinder, etc?) what works the best and is the easiest to do. I guess im just looking for an excuse to be out in the garage and have something to do besides just look at my sled lol!

I second what ThistleDoo said. Just had 3 sets done last week, no problems in the past whatsoever. I sandblast all my stuff before PCing, the more prep time you spend, the better adhesion and finish quality will be. I would say the blasting is the easiest by far. A set of springs takes me about 10 mins to sandblast.

 

[F-Bomb]

We powder coat springs all of the time and have had ZERO performance related failures. Especially on mtn sled applications. Race cars or snocross sleds that take a horrible beating or require precise lbs and rebound pressure settings then no you don't super heat those springs but for astetics of mtn sleds HAVE AT IT.

There are many many different types of powders and techniques for applicating/curing that make the difference on what you end up with for quality and durability. Prep is also very critical depending on your use parameters. All coating formulas are not the same nor all all processes.

My shop charges $65 an hour