Powder coating engine cases.

[tlc]

Hi chaps.
I'll soon be round to getting my outer engine cases powder coated and need some help.
Is it really necessary for the coaters to blast prepare the surface and how thin have you asked them to coat.
How have you successfully masked the oil sight window.
The reason being is the cases are in perfect condition but some were painted by the engine builder so will at least need cleaning.

I suppose also at the end of the day is powder coating the best way to go with engine cases ?

[Pigford]

Blasting them may pit them which will look dead naff I know first hand on a clutch cover I had done a while back

[chrisu]

Vapour blasting will not hurt them but

Be very very thorough about cleaning them afterwards

I did an engine and the used PJ1

Never tried powder

[z1bman]

oil level glass can be replaced with new

[tlc]

I should have said that the window is removed.
It's the masking of that area when powder coating that concerns me.

[Ginger Bear]

Chris,

I've had two Unitrak Clutch covers powdercoated at Griffs. (1170R & Snotter). Both from memory would have been masked with one of their little green stickers. Had no problems fitting new windows afterwards.

[tlc]

Thanks Steve.
I will give you a call sometime to discuss

[zed1015]

The cases need to be blasted (although not aggressively) to etch the surface as a key for the powder.
The powder coat won't stick properly to smooth surfaces and will easily peel off.
Masking of the sight glass orifice shouldn't be a problem for a good coater.
Personally I wouldn't powder coat as any damage or imperfections in the finish is near impossible to correct and will stand out a mile.
I've just spent weeks stripping a set of powdered cases which had corroded under the surface and started to bubble and peel.

[Hobbo]

As for thickness too much will chip easy too little will look crap a good powder coater should know the thickness scale which is 0.65-0.85 microns usually baked 210 deg for around 10mins . Smooth clean surfaces will coat well/better if applied and baked properly

phil

[nw66]

Just had my Katana 1170 engine blasted and powder coated and they are mint, any powder coater that knows what they are doing will know how to do them, I had mine done at Maldon powder coating and as I said they have come out mint

[big green bus]

Had mine done at LSN about 5 years ago no problems I removed the sight glass and they masked it up.