Has anyone thought about powder coating the entire MINI? Rumor or myth or fact I am not sure, but I've heard powder coating is a bit more chip/scratch resistant.

Considering some of the prices I have seen people post about powder coating smaller items, such as gas caps, the price to coat an entire vehicle should be about what you would pay for a good paint job.

 

it would cost so much more to take apart the car and clean up every part (inside and out)....(and that's if it's even possible)

You would also need to find a company that had big enough 'tubs' that could fit the big parts like the hood and the bonnet. and the bumpers would still need to be painted as they aren't metal.

 

From what I have read, dipping is not the only way to powder coat. Though it may be the best as far as coverage goes. And it is possible to powder coat some plastic. You just have to make sure the powder is the lower temperature stuff.

 

Why not just 'Rhino line' you entire car?

 

You are right...i just found an article about coating plastics and EVEN wood

 

Powder coating does not make a smooth finish. It'd look worse than a $89 Maaco job. It looks ok on smaller parts where the "orange peel" isn't so obvious.

 

From what I've been reading, the orange peel isn't so obvious anymore. Especially with the newer technologies. Stay away from epoxy powder coating. It's not for outdoor stuff. The articles I read mentioned TGIC as the choice for outdoor stuff.

 

I had my EX powder-coated. Best money I ever spent!

 

EX as in EX-Wife? What did you do.... Hang her on the wall like a trophy?

Actually I am not familiar with the EX...

 

If you want to change your MINI to black then you could buy a case of this stuff and coat your entire car! http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....1090&SKU=20264

 

One big hurdle to overcome with powder coating (besides the high levels of cleaning required) is that you have to bake the finish in order to cure it. Powder will not "air dry" like most liquid paints if it does not bake at the required metal temperature for the minimum time required. Typical times are 30 minutes at 350 F. Some parts may not be able to withstand those temperatures without distorting.

You need to find someone with an industrial oven capable of reaching 375 F - 450 F that is large enough to hold the parts you are coating.

Gloss, orange peel and film thickness will also differ from liquid coated parts.

Also, you would most likely need to completely strip the old finish as the bake temperatures required would damage or destroy any liquid coating remaing on the part.

 

Why yes,very perceptive. No more problems after that application.