coolhousing: to paint or not to paint?

[nicolas]

just wanted to know what would be best to do with the tin of my type3 engine...

i can't work on the engine as there are still parts missing (cam, timing gear, pistons and cylinders) but i have been thinking of powdercoating the tin of the engine. but the result is nice,but maybe a good painted tin is as nice... i have had it done before and the metal warps a little from the sanding, and they paint it afterwards without straightening it. so sometimes it comes out a little twisted.
so might it be a better idea to have it sanded and painted insted of powdercoated?

(and do i paint my enginecase as well??? it was black before, but now it is magnesium and written on.)

[louisb]

Powder coating would be more durable. You just need to find someone who can do it without screwing it up. I would fit it all first to make sure it is tight, then take it to them to powder coat. If you don't like the looks of your case, paint it. I did mine in flat black an it came out nice.

--louis

[Zach Gomulka]

I had my type 3 tin powdercoated, and didnt have any problems with warping, ect. The best way to do this is to mock up all of your tins when the motor is just a longblock. This way you can cut/grind/fit the tin perfectly before it goes on for good. The tin will fit better, have less air leaks, and you wont have any surprises to deal with after the paint is on.

[nicolas]

that is true, but i want to make up my mind before i get it done. i really liked what art did with his tin when his car was rebuild.i believe it was adonised in a green finish.

[wolfswest]

hi Nicolas,

I had my moped (kreidler) powdercoated and wasn't happy about it.  It wasn't smooth like the other parts that I painted in the same ral color.  I would go for paint but that's my opinion.  Maybe you can work something out with gold, would match your rims...  just a thougt.

Dem

[nicolas]

hi Nicolas,

I had my moped (kreidler) powdercoated and wasn't happy about it.  It wasn't smooth like the other parts that I painted in the same ral color.  I would go for paint but that's my opinion.  Maybe you can work something out with gold, would match your rims...  just a thougt.

Dem

as a matter of fact i am thinking about it. something gold or orange, but it would be better painted than powdercoated. but i am just tossing up ideas and i will see where it goes. but indeed a nice black case with some gold tin could look tits 

[louisb]

hi Nicolas,

I had my moped (kreidler) powdercoated and wasn't happy about it.  It wasn't smooth like the other parts that I painted in the same ral color.  I would go for paint but that's my opinion.  Maybe you can work something out with gold, would match your rims...  just a thougt.

Dem

Sounds like you got a hold of a bad powder coater. With the ease of setting up a PC shop these days there are plenty of them out there. If you want to see some smooooth PCing check out the pan Deano showcased in HVWs early this year.

I agree with Zach. Get it straight before you take it too them. (Degrease it too.)

--louis

--louis