FrontEngineDragsters.Org Forum
Drag Racing Discussions => Front Engine Dragsters => Topic started by: Harv on September 03, 2023, 10:27:11 PM
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Getting closer to having the FED together. Looking to put some form of protection over the chassis, but not sure whether to have a panel shop paint it, a shop to powdercoat or to DIY it myself with POR chassis coating.
Needs to be neat and tidy and presentable, but not show-car perfect (as an example, my panels are painted in purple metalflake, but not on the inside). Prefer something that I can touch up later if I damage it or need to ad a bracket tab.
Appreciate your experiences please.
Cheers,
Harv
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Most cars that get powder coated eventually have to add welded on tabs, fix cracked welds or just have the stuff blister off somewhere.
My vote is acrylic enamel with hardner.
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Would never pwdercoat a chassis for above reason. I know I will be adding or changing something. With paint sand off. weld touch up paint done.
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Thankyou both - appreciated.
Cheers,
Harv
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I really don't have anything different to add, but I too vote for paint. I know powdercoat is really held in high regard, but beyond the "need to add a bracket and can then just touch up the paint" I see a bigger problem with it. It's "so good" that it can flex to some extent.....it's basically plastic. That's where I have a problem with it in that if a joint is developing a crack paint will crack too and eventually a slight rust line might develop which might might be discovered and can be corrected before a big failure.
I did my FED chassis with a electrostatic paint system I have from my fabrication business days. Paint used was an enamel. Looks fine to me and MUCH cheaper than powdercoat too.
Lynn
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Thankyou. Good logic on the flex vs crack too.
Cheers,
Harv
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I am getting ready to cold blue my chassis . always wanted to do one this way. Lot of work but what the Hey. Will never powdercoat one again .
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My car is cold blue it will still rust but sure does look great!!
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Hi Paul, what brand of Cold Blue/Tool black did you use ? Through the years I have used two different ones from Brownells supply and one generic tool black bought on line . The Brownells Oxfo blue seemed to work the best but I am always looking for better.
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I used Precision Brand Tool Black
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Chrome moly is not prone to rust--the pro cars are just wiped down with oil or wd40 or whatever--You will have to fix cracks and add brackets etc You will--no way around it--I painted mine with acrylic enamel but if I did another would wipe her down and go Grinding off POR or powdercoat sounds crazy to me--they flex they crack just no two ways about it--if you run a season or two and can't find a crack you did not look hard enough--find--weld-smile-keep rolling