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Old 11-16-2022 | 10:38 AM
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Default Paint vs Powder

Why don't people powder coat their motors vs painting them? Is it a heat issue or is paint stronger. Or just easier?
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Old 11-16-2022 | 11:12 AM
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I have done smallblock intakes and small block rocker covers, I have not even considered heads or blocks because they won't fit in my easy bake oven. Logistically powder is a bit more challenging because the parts would need to be done right after washing and prior to any assembly.
If someone has done it I would love to hear the results.
I just use an Eastwood hobby gun and conventional cook stove
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Old 11-16-2022 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by TYPHOON
Why don't people powder coat their motors vs painting them? Is it a heat issue or is paint stronger. Or just easier?
May be just easier, but in the motorcycle world (custom HD's) we used to powder coat them.
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Old 11-16-2022 | 11:33 AM
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Ive read somewhere that Roush Racing powder coats the entire block inside and out....then does all the machining after...
I think that Harley also powders their air cooled motors before machine work as well...
I dont think there's any problems doing it its just the time and work involved with it.....paint it easier and faster..
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Old 11-16-2022 | 12:45 PM
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powder coat will stand up to the heat. It bakes @ 328 degrees for .5 hour. I did my out drives and they turned out and held up great. Just a lot of taping because u don't want powder coat where it doesn't belong such as on threads or where gaskets or o rings seal. Engine block would be tricky and heavy
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Old 11-16-2022 | 03:31 PM
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If it can be done, I'm sure there would be a significant ticket price to get it done. For some that wouldn't be an issue. For me after spending nearly $500 to have two pairs of valve covers coated I think I'd pass on doing a block and heads.
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Old 11-16-2022 | 08:26 PM
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Tom - I think you need a new powdercoat guy. I had my childhood go-kart frame and 4 wheels powder coated for about 150 bucks if I recall correctly during an ill-conceived restoration. Guy even had to re-sandblast it due to some surface rust.
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Old 11-16-2022 | 08:46 PM
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They were a lot of work to get done… stripping and degreasing were a lot to do so I was told. The shop that did the work has a strong following and reputation. They came out great but for the money I could have bought a set of powder-coated Teague angled valve covers.
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Old 11-17-2022 | 06:43 AM
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Old aluminum rocker covers soak up a bit of oil on any exposed surface and are quite time consuming to get clean enough to properly powder coat.
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Old 11-17-2022 | 08:43 AM
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Powder stands up to scratches and corrosion better, but urethane clear stands up to solvents better in my experience.
Powder softens if you get a wild hair and clean the soot off your transom hardware with thinner whereas urethane clear doesn't even know its there.
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