Cascade Crew

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject: Spring Cleaning!

Washed and waxed the formy today. Also finished up a few new modifications. 1 more major mod to go. Here's a few pics.

Wheels before.....

And after powdercoating with "black chrome"

New Potenza's!!

Wheels, tires, and hotchkis drop springs...

The new stance...

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 4:41 pm Post subject:

And a big pic.. just cause..

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject:

Now that looks nice. Thumbs up

When did you get those door decals?

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject:

I've had the stickers since before I painted the car.. but I only stuck them on last summer I think. I also modified the hood decal to say 5.3liter.

Nathan J · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:30 pm Post subject:

looking good man, those wheels turned out nice, could i ask about how much that cost to get the wheels done?

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject:

As with everything, I powdercoated the wheels myself. Bout the only thing I can't do is an alignment, although I can do a preliminary one with a bubble gauge at that.

If anybody has parts they want powdercoated, I can do anything that will fit in a standard kitchen oven. Don't have many colors yet, but I can order whatever.

Cost wise isnt too bad. My craftsman gun was $150, a used oven was $50, and 2lbs of powder was $30 shipped. I probably used... maybe 1/2# of powder.

These wheels are the first thing I coated and there was definately a learning curve. Can't tell by the pics but the rears I did last and theyre smoother finished then the fronts. Also learned not to follow directions.. they just screw you up! Wink

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:54 pm Post subject:

How low is the Y-pipe on that car? It may be an optical illusion, but it looks like it's hanging pretty low on the passenger side.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject:

Big speedbump might hit it maybe.. its a good 3" off the ground though.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject:

Looks great Brandon. Still has factory flavor but unique look. Best of all, you basically have brand new wheels that look great without the loss of arm/leg.

Thumbs up

-Schultzy

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Looks great, and I love the stance.

Yummy birdie.

mmmmm

Very Happy

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:24 pm Post subject:

i'll have ya podercoat my GTA wheels if i ever get a set.

iansane · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:29 pm Post subject:

That looks real good!

I'm jealous. Nice stance and that darker color goes awesome with the blue.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject:

16" wheels will fit fine in my oven. 17s might not. You'll have to have them blasted somewhere though. I tried bead blasting mine and it wouldnt remove the old coating at all. Finally had to resort to chemical strippers and a wire brush.

Nathan J · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:54 pm Post subject:

i got the craftsman gun also i have only done a few things, are you gettting your powder from sears or online i have seen some kinds that are around 8 bucks a pound but dont no if it will work in these guns.
Nathan

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:14 pm Post subject:

Been buying mine online from this outfit. http://www.columbiacoatings.com/

Bought some off ebay too, but it was quite a bit darker then this black chrome. Only powder so far that i've had trouble with is the clear.. but it might work now that i've got the method down.

The instructions say to preheat the wheel, then let it cool to 100* and apply the powder.. do the same for the next coat.. this doesnt work, unless you want a rough surface. On the last 2 wheels I found the best method was to preheat the wheel to 400* take it out and pour the powder on thick. It will melt and flow right onto the wheel. I sprayed about a gun cup full on the wheel and by that time it will quit flowing and start getting a rough surface. Slap the wheel back in the oven and it all flows out nice and smooth.

Nathan J · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:19 pm Post subject:

o really, i was wondering if you could do 2 coats or not, thanks for the link to, but the wheels turned out smooth huh, i like that idea, have you came up with any ideas on how to keep the powder on when you try and put it in the oven lol. it was a pain for me.
Nathan

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject:

My first trys with the cool wheels the powder stayed on no problem first coat. But I couldnt get the 2nd coat to stay on evenly, probably why the first 2 wheels had the rougher surface. Now the last 2 wheels doing them hot, the powder is almost cured before you get it back in the oven. Melts right on as you're spraying it.

Nathan J · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:29 pm Post subject:

have you tried that with anything else but the wheels? i did my carb bowls and i was having problems with it sticking in a few spots i think maybe heating it up it would work better and let me see what it is doing.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:31 pm Post subject:

I'm really just getting started. I did a few thin pieces of aluminum but they didnt hold the heat long enough for this method. I've also found numerous mentions of preheating your parts to burn off any residual oils so that hte powder sticks better. Maybe this is whats happening to you?

Nathan J · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:36 pm Post subject:

ya i have some other parts i want to do, see how well it will hold up, im happy with the gun so far it is kinda fun to use. thanks for the tips, i do have a set of rallys i could try it on hehe.