Powder coating VS Paint

[Tropicalcats]

I know the advantages of powder coating over paint. Powder coating being a much more durable surface but is there anything I would not want to powder coat? Does powder coating look just like a painted surface?

I just stripped down my dash and  while the pad is out getting redone and my instrument get a once over I was thinking about have the steel frame powder coated. Glove box, ash tray and all.Any comments?

[4Cruizn]

There are different powder coating but still there are some thing you cannot powder coat.  Anything that gets real hot and anything that you cannot get hot.  Because you have to bake the parts for the powder coating to adhere, alot of things cannot go into an oven.  I did the whole k-frame in both cars as it just fit in my cousins oven . . . but I couldn't do the steering unit as it has fluid in it.  I also avoid coating springs as it may take away some of the tension of the spring.  Headers would never handle regular powder coating as they get way too hot.  As long as the parts don't get hotter than say 200* . . you should be fine!  Tons of colors out there!  I have coated many things!  Works great!   

[Chryco Psycho]

powder caot is available in virtually all colors & textures , I have powder coated dash frames in the past , no prob
 I used to thing the heat would hurt parts too But I powder coated a diff housing & left the end seals in place the seals were pefect when I got the housing back , nice & soft & no damage , I asked about it & they only flash the parts to 400 * n ot heat the part to 400* so you would be amazed at what can be powder coated 

[Street_Challenged73]

Also, if you find the dash frame to be too large for an oven, Eastwood Company sells an IR heater that'll work on larger items. (just pricey, but if you ever do anything else with powder-coating it may be worth the investment.)

[Tropicalcats]

Thanks guys

 I was just concerned that the dash would look different with powder coating.

[Mopar73340]

I just had an intake powder coated, looks just like paint. Just hope it holds up better than paint!! The guy who did it has a oven big enough to put any car part in. I didn't measure but it was approx 15'X15'. Said it would heat to 500+ *.

[heminut]

There are different powder coating but still there are some thing you cannot powder coat.  Anything that gets real hot and anything that you cannot get hot.   Headers would never handle regular powder coating as they get way too hot. 

The guy who does my powdercoating said he has a powdercoat for headers now that will stand up to the heat. I don't know if it's something he just started using, or if it's new on the market. At any rate you won't be getting any evaluations from me. The prices he quoted to me were as much as Jet Hot's prices! For that kind of money I'll stick with proven stuff.

[go-fish]

I got my Alter-k-tion powder coated, installed it and was doing some grinding on the frame. The sparks screwed the powdercoat up. That was a big, DOOHHH! (Homer Simpson impression) It is good stuff but as I proved it isn't indestructable. I am lucky enough to have a friend that has a powdercoat shop, I get a little discount. He has two ovens you could park Caddys in.

[1 Wild R/T]

Thanks guys

 I was just concerned that the dash would look different with powder coating.

There is a textured black that closely matches the original suede finish on the dash & steering column...