how durable is powder coat?

[norsa]

The Escort I project, we are losing all the silver chrome but are left with the external handles. They are the type with the push in thumb button. How will these push buttons hold up to satin black powder coat?

 

[AndyStobbs]

Its pretty thick stuff, far thicker than any wet sprayed paint.
Should stand ALOT of presses before it wears through. Can chip easily though.

Oh and if your cleanrances are tight, it might be too thick for the job.

 

[norsa]

Thanks Andy, you're on my wavelength. Any ideas how many more microns powder to o/e chrome which I assume will have to be dipped an stripped?
Nick.

 

[AndyStobbs]

I couldn't even start to quote figures with any confidence. But from past experience of powder coat, dealing with motorbike parts, I would estimate it adds 0.5mm miniumum to the original dims. of a part - in every direction coated. The threads on an M6 bolt would be virtually covered over.

 

[ben8vgte]

You'll need to get all the old chrome off first really, if it's steel a etch primer/corrosion preventer for under powder coat is a good idea for a decent life.

Thickness of the coating is a funny thing, a really high flow powder will only have a small build and be quite thin. The higher build stuff needs to go a lot thicker to flow out to a smooth surface, too thin and it's very orange peelish. All depends on what products they stock really, but the thinner the coating the more chip resistant it tends to be as well.

 

[norsa]

usefull replies guys thanks.
Nick

 

[langy]

Thanks Andy, you're on my wavelength. Any ideas how many more microns powder to o/e chrome which I assume will have to be dipped an stripped?
Nick.

I use it on certain parts and it works well but not so well on things like a chassis, It can chip and once rust gets under it its a nightmare as it creeps unnoticed.

 

[norsa]

I use it on certain parts and it works well but not so well on things like a chassis, It can chip and once rust gets under it its a nightmare as it creeps unnoticed.

so exterior door handles Steve?

 

[langy]

so exterior door handles Steve?

I would think it would be fine Nick but if they are chrome would need to be stripped first, well i would anyway.

 

[norsa]

pitted chrome mate and I would contract the whole job out to a pro now I know kt will work. Cheers

 

[Metallisation]

Just another option. In honesty, it possibly isn't worth it for this job but some have found it useful for very rare vehicles. A company called Vanshack have taken door handles and other trim bits, removed the chrome, filled to smooth the pits and then metal sprayed a coating over the top. Two options of coating are either tin/zinc that can be polished back and lacquered to look like shiny chrome or a copper coating is applied that is then a great base coat for the re-chroming. It's not a cheap process (around £600 for four handles) so as I say, may not suit this particular application but if you've got something really rate, may be an option. Coating thickness would be around 1/4mm as sprayed but then polished back thinner.

Good luck.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

What about having them done in black chrome ?

Paul H

 

[norsa]

Good shout Paul. Knew it was available in the 80s, dont know of anyone doing it locally.

 

[Coppers Lot]

Good shout Paul. Knew it was available in the 80s, dont know of anyone doing it locally.

You could consider doing it yourself
http://www.caswellplating.com/elect...me-plating-kits/black-krome-plating-kits.html
Caswell has a UK retailer.

 

[nodeward]

i just bought a chrome removal kit for under 20 quid took the chrome straight off in 5 mins flat and if your considering nickel plating you can do that pretty easyly and cheaply at home as well, a mate at work is plating some bit of my bike as we speak

 

[Coppers Lot]

i just bought a chrome removal kit for under 20 quid took the chrome straight off in 5 mins flat and if your considering nickel plating you can do that pretty easyly and cheaply at home as well, a mate at work is plating some bit of my bike as we speak

Whose kits are they please, and do you have a url you could share?

 

[Adnic69]

From my experience I have found that if done correctly coating over chrome is not an issue. I do quite a lot of coating for the MX5 boys and many pairs of chrome door handles have been done with no issues.
I simply blast to etch the surface and coat as I normally would.

Please see below link which shows some coated door handles in there. If I can help please PM me and I will do what I can.
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=105781&hl=