Powder coat cost?
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Snakebyt
Well-known member
that does seem quite excessive, last time i got motorcycle wheels done, it was 75 a wheel, but that was over 10 years ago
Dave455
Well-known member
That sounds pretty expensive to me.
Not sure what these things cost in the U.S. but I've never had any powder costing job cost anything like that!
In all fairness, there are some variables. If you want them to prep it, that adds to the cost. If you want a custom colour that costs a little more. (A 'standard' colour is cheaper, and if you want it the same colour as something else they are doing a batch of, that's real cheap).
If you need it same day, that costs, let 'em fit it between other jobs and it's cheap!
Here in the U.K. small vice or suchlike maybe £5 to £10. Small cabinet £30. Bike frame £80. That's still only about $100 though, and they blasted the joints too for that!
Not sure what these things cost in the U.S. but I've never had any powder costing job cost anything like that!
In all fairness, there are some variables. If you want them to prep it, that adds to the cost. If you want a custom colour that costs a little more. (A 'standard' colour is cheaper, and if you want it the same colour as something else they are doing a batch of, that's real cheap).
If you need it same day, that costs, let 'em fit it between other jobs and it's cheap!
Here in the U.K. small vice or suchlike maybe £5 to £10. Small cabinet £30. Bike frame £80. That's still only about $100 though, and they blasted the joints too for that!
ddx77
Well-known member
Down here, 4 - 19" wheels. $400-$500
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bushmechanic
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The cost depends on the quality and required detail.
Also, you need to choose the right shop. Small time operations are what you're looking for here. Many local shops are designed for larger volume work on rails and other more commercial interests.
You can't just walk in there and get something done cheaply, as it's a nightmare for them to integrate it into their work-flow and schedule.
A shop specializing in restoration, hobbyist projects, and low-volume rails is the best choice. Ask around the racing shops nearby to see who they use. It'll be cheaper.
Something like a tool box, though; with those large, flat surfaces, and all those little nooks and crannies... It ain't going to be the cheapest job around. I don't know anyone who's going to do a good job that would take that on for less than $400.
Prep work will take a long time. You'd do well trying to catch them when they don't have much to do, or when they're already shooting the color you want without a tight schedule on the job.
If that's the case, they can integrate it into what they're already doing.
Also, you need to choose the right shop. Small time operations are what you're looking for here. Many local shops are designed for larger volume work on rails and other more commercial interests.
You can't just walk in there and get something done cheaply, as it's a nightmare for them to integrate it into their work-flow and schedule.
A shop specializing in restoration, hobbyist projects, and low-volume rails is the best choice. Ask around the racing shops nearby to see who they use. It'll be cheaper.
Something like a tool box, though; with those large, flat surfaces, and all those little nooks and crannies... It ain't going to be the cheapest job around. I don't know anyone who's going to do a good job that would take that on for less than $400.
Prep work will take a long time. You'd do well trying to catch them when they don't have much to do, or when they're already shooting the color you want without a tight schedule on the job.
If that's the case, they can integrate it into what they're already doing.
Lots of aspects of Powder Coating, what has to be done to prep it, what is the condition and customer expectation of the work, Color, size, etc... Ovens are not CHEAP to run, Equipment isn't FREE, Powder isn't FREE... stuff like that.
txvwnut
Well-known member
PM cudachick she owns a powder coating company. I think she may even give a little break to GJ members.
97nismo
Well-known member
That's about right
However if you strip it yourself the cost can be nearly cut in half....small shops usually send off parts to be blasted and larger shops just include the price and are slightly cheaper
It's a lot cheaper to get a tool cart painted if you do the prep
However if you strip it yourself the cost can be nearly cut in half....small shops usually send off parts to be blasted and larger shops just include the price and are slightly cheaper
It's a lot cheaper to get a tool cart painted if you do the prep
kythri
Well-known member
Even with sandblasting, that's still incredibly steep.
I've got an old Harbor Freight-style 4x8 utility trailer (like their folding style) that I bought used about 12-15 years ago.
When I bought it, it had been re-painted brown, and not horribly well.
Last summer, with paint peeling down to primer and just looking like **** overall, I decided to take it to fully disassemble it and take it to a local powder coating place (http://orpowdercoating.com/) to have it sandblasted and powder coated.
Cost me something like $215 or $230 (can't remember exactly) to have it done, but I do remember that only $80 of that was the actual powder coating, the rest was the sandblasting work.
The only reason the sandblasting was so much was because the trailer consists of about 20 or so pieces of steel channel that needed to be futzed with.
I've got an old Harbor Freight-style 4x8 utility trailer (like their folding style) that I bought used about 12-15 years ago.
When I bought it, it had been re-painted brown, and not horribly well.
Last summer, with paint peeling down to primer and just looking like **** overall, I decided to take it to fully disassemble it and take it to a local powder coating place (http://orpowdercoating.com/) to have it sandblasted and powder coated.
Cost me something like $215 or $230 (can't remember exactly) to have it done, but I do remember that only $80 of that was the actual powder coating, the rest was the sandblasting work.
The only reason the sandblasting was so much was because the trailer consists of about 20 or so pieces of steel channel that needed to be futzed with.
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The Tool Tyrant
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Here in San Diego, prices are all over the place. You need to take it to various shops and have them quote a price. On one particular item we produce, I've had quotes from $14 each ($300 minimum) to $140 each! The shop we ended up using charges $40 each.
Powder costs vary also depending on color.
Powder costs vary also depending on color.
sberry
Banned
A new one would likely be cheaper.
bushmechanic
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One can't really "complete" prep without being at the shop, but showing up with something that looks clean is much better than a rusty, greasy mess.
I know more than one person who will mentally add a zero to the end of a two-digit job if something shows up all rusty and nasty.
Don't let them see any grease in there; and they'll be looking hard for it. The more you clean and dry it the better, because it's not easily removed dirt that's going to destroy the process, it's fluid contaminants.
Now, I highly doubt this, but if you can somehow strip and degrease it completely, they may only have to bake it out once. I doubt it, but it's possible. The wash can technically be sprayed on if they have an environmentally acceptable way to do it in their shop.
You can't cut out baking and curing times; nor how long it takes to shoot. A tool box will take a while.
Again, though, your best bet is waiting until they're already shooting your color.
I know more than one person who will mentally add a zero to the end of a two-digit job if something shows up all rusty and nasty.
Don't let them see any grease in there; and they'll be looking hard for it. The more you clean and dry it the better, because it's not easily removed dirt that's going to destroy the process, it's fluid contaminants.
Now, I highly doubt this, but if you can somehow strip and degrease it completely, they may only have to bake it out once. I doubt it, but it's possible. The wash can technically be sprayed on if they have an environmentally acceptable way to do it in their shop.
You can't cut out baking and curing times; nor how long it takes to shoot. A tool box will take a while.
Again, though, your best bet is waiting until they're already shooting your color.
I was just hoping to get an idea. This cart would be new. I would buy it, take it home and drill out all the rivets, etc so that they would be getting a brand new item to coat. I was hoping it would be around $200.
Like anything, I'm sure price and quality are all over the map.
Thanks,
Robert
Like anything, I'm sure price and quality are all over the map.
Thanks,
Robert
The HF carts come coated so a brand new out the box one would be basically a sand and shoot, that's outside of obviously dismantling it. Their prices are way out of line unless you were looking at a triple stage candy.
I did custom powder coating for about 12 years
I did custom powder coating for about 12 years
kythri
Well-known member
With any competent shop, changing colors on the fly is not an issue. Most shops are shooting multiple colors every day.
bushmechanic
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ScottsGT
Well-known member
I have a local business that builds gym weight lifting equipment. They have a side business in the same building that does all their work. I took in a bunch of cleaned engine brackets and pullies and they did them all for under $100 since it was basic black.
Had them do some aluminum brackets in chrome and it was close to the same price, but it was a double coating with a clear.
The aluminum presented some issues with the porous surface leaching out oil. I soaked it in cleaner, and then baked it in my kitchen oven and recleaned it several times. Still had a bubble or two pop up while powder coating.
Had them do some aluminum brackets in chrome and it was close to the same price, but it was a double coating with a clear.
The aluminum presented some issues with the porous surface leaching out oil. I soaked it in cleaner, and then baked it in my kitchen oven and recleaned it several times. Still had a bubble or two pop up while powder coating.
WhiffySpark
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What color do you want?
My local coater is a friend but I get wheels up to 19" done in standard color and sand blasted for 200$. He's done small stuff for me on a color he's running that day for a case of beer. Just depends Who you know and what the market is like around you.
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CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Thanks for the mention txvwnut!
You're right about both.Robert, keep in mind that most any prep / dis- / reassembly you do yourself will save you money in the long run because it saves your coater time. On a tool box, it's not so much the box itself that's a bear to blast, it's the drawers and all those rolled lips and edges for the sliders and stuff that make it tedious and time consuming.
Based on forum posts from other custom coaters, it seems very few bill by the square foot / inch except on large industrial-type jobs (like a horse trailer). I can't speak for other shops but my projects are billed by the hour rather than flat rate. This is simply because no two people take care of the same thing in the same way; in my opinion, those who put in extra effort to help out with prep should not be penalized by paying the same price as the guy who does nothing.
To give you a more accurate estimate, I'd want to see good photos of what you're working on with close ups of any dings / dents / defects. Some shops merely blast and coat what you present as is so you'll want to ask about bodywork and what all is included in the price when you get estimates. Unless I'm instructed otherwise, I do my best to fix problems first and get the metal as close to perfect as I can before any powder starts flying. (I figure it's going to be on there for many years when I'm done, and I see little point in spending the time and money to make it pretty if all the dents are still in it.)
Someone mentioned earlier that it could be a quick sand and reshoot since the HF boxes are already powder coated from the factory. This is a fairly common thing in the industry, but keep in mind that the second powder coating job you're considering is going to be relying on all the factory's prep to keep both layers of powder intact. If and when that first powder layer starts to delaminate (fall off the metal due to oil / contaminants / media dust / improper curing / etc. etc. etc.), it's going to take the second powder coat job right along with it no matter how much you paid to have it done. Simply put, I'm an **** Virgo perfectionist who never trusts someone else's prep ............ because my reputation is effectively riding on their work.
As you said, methods, results and costs are all over the map. Like any other industry, you'll get what you pay for.
I hope this helps.
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Thanks for all the info everyone. I was looking to have the box done in either white or gray. I was going to buy it and remove all of the trim, sliders, etc and deliver a new, disassembled unit to the coater.
It was just an idea. I appreciate all the expertise here.
It was just an idea. I appreciate all the expertise here.
Wouldn't trust coating over the HF powder on the cart. Strip and recoat is the only way to go. As said previously, prices will vary depending on size of shop, equipment, and expertise. Our shop can't compete with a guy working in his garage in the evenings as he has no overhead, payroll, etc. -conversely, I can't compete with huge automated line places on jobs of hundreds to thousands of pieces. Tool boxes are a pain as there are lots of pieces, and lots of sides, corners, etc. takes longer to clean, strip, and coat. We still do them. The stripping is the most costly part of it. We have the ability in-house to thermally strip it, so in a matter of an hour or so, the existing paint/powder is reduced to dust. Blasting time is reduced to minutes in lieu of hours. Not too many shops have this ability. There are some stripping outfits that can either chem strip or therm clean. Here locally, Ready Strip offers these and other stripping solutions, although most strip places with thermal burnoff ovens typically require a $800 min/load.
A HF cart with a drawer or two, lid, and frame if stripped would run about $250 in our shop - and less if previously stripped. Full snap on boxes can be 2-3 times that depending on size and drawer count.
A HF cart with a drawer or two, lid, and frame if stripped would run about $250 in our shop - and less if previously stripped. Full snap on boxes can be 2-3 times that depending on size and drawer count.
I had a hitch I wanted powder coated. I didnt care what color or how long it took since this was just a spare. The cheapest quote I got was 250. I know it was just too small if a job to make it worth their time.
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