Powder coating

I will shortly be having my chrome pos rims de-chromed and powder coated. I found a local business that has a great reputation.

The original GT rims would have been painted silver by the factory, correct? I can also opt for a "raw aluminum" color. There is even a "chrome" powder coating.

Gloss or semi gloss?

Ideas, anyone?

The engine shroud and various engine compartment sheet metal, etc., will be powder coated as well. My car is past its show car era, nor am I a guy that leaves his engine lid propped open either. Vivid colors, I don't think so.

Engine sheet metal ideas? I am thinking the same silver as the wheels.

Ideas, anyone?

Erik,

Go to the SoCal 356 Club Site. It is linked out of the Registry. In recent events I think there are pictures of Pebbles and North/South meets. Seems like I recall a beautiful Red 55 with the factory silver? rims and maybe a black 57. Check them out for ideas. I like that look too and have considered buying some steel 5" rims and going that way for a chage of looks for awhile.

Jim

Eastwood has a home powder coating system that is supposed to be good for smaller parts...I think its about $175 or so. Often wondered what it would be like as I paid about $500 to have parts powder coated for an old 66 Porsche.

Brian

Good idea NOT to try and do your own powder coating. The original rims were painted a semi-gloss silver.

Thanks George. What do you suggest re engine tin? Semi silver too?

Brian, I have read good reports about home powder coating, but the problem is you need an extra oven to "cook" the parts. I certainly don't want to eat food out of the same oven. I found a place near me that caters to mainly the manufacturing industry so their prices are very reasonable, plus no postage.

One of the key issues for powder coating is prepping the parts - places that do industrial work can do a far better prep than most do-it-yourselfers.

both my last engine and new engines will have silver shrouds and everything else black, like some of the later 356 Porsches.

In case anyone is interested in powder coating their rims here is what I found out.

Prices to have the chrome rims de-chromed vary a lot, a low of $20 and a high of $50 per rim.

Prices to have the rims powder coated silver were not so varied, expect around $30 per rim, one place told me silver should be powder coated with a clear coat, add another 10 bucks.

Additionally you can expect to replace the Vw lugs with studs that are drilled and pressed in at a machine shop, plus the cost of the studs and the Porsche-style nuts.

I ordered mine from aircooled.net. Wow, they look great. The stud is a flat black and the nuts have a subtle goldish or slight yellow tint (key word is "slight"), they will look super. A very nice upgrade even if you aren't powder coating your rims, looks racer retro.