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#1 D-DAWG83

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Posted 21 October 2015 - 11:32 PM

Just wondering if anyone has tried this product at all? 

http://www.electrost...em-starter-pack

 

Just wondering if its worth the cash, or if it would be better to get a pro to do it.



#2 Gedi

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 07:28 AM

Yes, that would work. The problem you have is finding an oven large enough to hang your parts in. Also the powder isn't cheap and quite a bit does go to waste.

 

Powder coating is a pretty simple process (I've done lots of it, my mate owns a powder coating company)

- Degrease / shot blast components

- Bake for 10 mins at 180 degs and allow to cool (not too important, but removes any moisture )

- Hang component from a dodgy hand made hook, and spray powder

- Move component (via hook) to the oven and bake for 10-20 mins

 


Edited by Gedi, 22 October 2015 - 07:28 AM.


#3 D-DAWG83

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 08:19 AM

Would you say that them kits are worth it then, or are you are better off just paying a pro to do them for you for minimum fuss and expense. Im just looking at doing all my suspension, and came across this and wondered if it would be cheaper than paying a company to do them.

#4 Gedi

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 08:24 AM

Not if you're only going to do your suspension. The kit costs more than it'd cost to get it done by a professional.



#5 Madmitch

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 10:31 AM

The problem with powder coating is that corrosion can start underneath the coating and completely hidden from view.  Eventually the powder coat cracks but by then the damage will be done and your wishbone very likely corroded beyond repair.  Much better to go for galvanising or zinc plating and passivating.  This give both mechanical and electrolytic protection and, if there is a problem resulting from a stone chip or suchlike, you can see it and do something about it before serious rot sets in.  Yes, more expensive than home brew powder coating but your neck hangs on things like wishbones not falling apart!



#6 D-DAWG83

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 10:59 AM

The problem with powder coating is that corrosion can start underneath the coating and completely hidden from view.  Eventually the powder coat cracks but by then the damage will be done and your wishbone very likely corroded beyond repair.  Much better to go for galvanising or zinc plating and passivating.  This give both mechanical and electrolytic protection and, if there is a problem resulting from a stone chip or suchlike, you can see it and do something about it before serious rot sets in.  Yes, more expensive than home brew powder coating but your neck hangs on things like wishbones not falling apart!

Part of my job is to NDT suspension for F1 cars, so i understand the importance of them, dont worry about that. Just thought that plating then powdercoating was a little OTT to be honest, as the parts will be blasted prior to powder coating, which will remove any corrosion or contaminates, then the powder coating on top to fully seal it. Appreciate that this can get chipped and rot can get behind it, bubbling the surface, but you would see that and then blast them again and re powdercoat, which is what you would have to do even if it was plated surely. Maybe im missing something, so please feel free to explain it to me.

#7 Madmitch

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 12:09 PM

OK, so you will understand!  Never to underestimate the huge amount of talent and knowledge that lurks hidden in this forum!  I used to work in historics but in those days we used Cadmium and other processes, now illegal!  Half a century ago I was competing but corrosion protection there was irrelevant as nothing lasted long enough for it to matter!  I just worry that sometimes people can innocently do something that has awful consequences down the line, I've seen loads of stuff fall apart because of corrosion under powder coating.  I wouldn't powder coat, it's fine for garden furniture and clothes dryers but not wishbones, make it easy to spot any problems!    



#8 D-DAWG83

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 12:22 PM

No worries, I appreciate your expertise, and that of others on this and other forums. Having experience of forums for a few years though has taught me that they go through phases of things being great and fab, and worth the expense etc, then in a year or so, people look back and say that it was a waste of time/effort/money. I was just trying to acetane if plating suspension was worth the extra cost etc, rather than just throwing money at the plastic box of joy, which is taking alot of funds to put right as it is. Il certainly look into it and consider it, as I understand what you are saying, so thankyou. Does some of it come down to the condition of the parts to start with, and the prep prior to powder coating?



#9 Madmitch

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 12:54 PM

I think there is no doubt that the starting condition does matter enormously, all of our cars are a few years old now though so all will have the seeds of corrosion already sown.  For sure a thorough bead or sand blast should clean up the metal well and from there you can choose to go either way, powder or zinc.  Powder coatings do look great when new but all inevitably seem to fail in the end with hidden corrosion blowing blisters in the powder coat where it has cracked, I don't know if the coating cracks first allowing moisture in or if the corrosion is already there and breaks out again in time.  By comparison, a really heavy coat of zinc can go on for decades - think of good quality agricultural gate hinges.  Personally, thinking of how many of the toe-link failures seem to have evidence of corrosion, I would suggest that the cost of a really good dose of galvanising is money well spent! 



#10 D-DAWG83

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 01:36 PM

Also, with things like gates etc, they sit outside all year round, and get exposed to the elements. With a car that is taken off the road over winter each year, and not exposed to such things as salt etc, would the Zinc plating be worthwhile? What happens if you start to loose some of the powdercoating ontop of the plating, do you not have to blast the old stuff off, and then have to replate,then re powdercoat? Or can you chemically remove the old coating without damaging the plating?

#11 Madmitch

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 02:22 PM

Certainly taking it off the road for the winter avoids the salt but steel corrodes in the summer when wet, just at a slower rate.  I wouldn't powder coat at all, just blast, zinc plate and then passivate, which is good looking and probably almost as good as heavy galvanising.  If you need to restore again in the future then I would think a blast to remove the passivation and any localised corrosion would suffice for prep, then replate and repassivate!



#12 Roo

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 02:31 PM

Excellent info here, how much would it roughly be to blast, plate and passivate a full set of wishbones, hubs etc?



#13 Madmitch

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 03:06 PM

That I don't know and since I've been retired for fourteen years in the South of France I'm completely out of touch!  However, I've spoken to two of my old colleagues this afternoon and they use London and Brighton Plating in Brighton. Phone is 01273 418122 and the email is info@lbplating.com if you prefer.  Incidentally, both my old mates agreed exactly on zinc and pass, definitely no powder coating.  Hope that helps!



#14 D-DAWG83

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Posted 22 October 2015 - 04:21 PM

Thats a little far for me. There are a few places in MK that do plating, also asked at work who we use for anodising etc, as maybe able to get a discount.

#15 Tibbles Stryker

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Posted 23 October 2015 - 10:38 AM

Great discussion, I totally agree with what's been said, powder is not quite as great as was once perceived. For a garage queen I'm sure a good clean and an application of over the counter spray paints would suffice 👍





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