[HomeBrew] Powdercoating costs???

[Jim Higgins KB3PU]

At 10:40 06/10/03, kwylow zinjanthropus wrote:

>All:  Does anyone on this list have any experiences with powdercoating and 
>it's costs (besides me)?
>
>Just yesterday, I brought a scratched up AT-1 cabinet to a local 
>powdercoater here in the Monterey/Salinas area. They wanted to charge me 
>$80 for the coat! Of course, I turned down the offer and moved on. I know 
>powdercoating is a great finish and probably is better than most 
>conventional paints but I'm pretty sure $80 is just far too much. Anyone 
>has an opinion on this? Thanks. Cal. N6KYR.

The powder coating process involves several degreasing and cleaning steps, 
often including a hot phosphatizing operation, followed by coating and 
baking.  It's a lot more than just coating.  Did you ask what they were 
going to actually do for the price?  You should find it included removal of 
the old paint since it is not at all a good idea to recoat using powder, 
and that coupled with all the above, plus the one-of-a-kind nature of the 
work, probably lead to the seemingly high cost.  If you're willing to have 
your AT-1 painted a color they use regularly you might get it done at a 
reduced cost, otherwise you're going to pay for all the powder waste 
associated with a color change - and that stuff isn't cheap.


73 de Jim, KB3PU