Targa Bar: Paint vs. Powder coat

Fassi · 01-29-2003, 08:22 PM

Hello all,

I was quoted a price of $650 by a reputable shop to have my targa bar stripped and powder coated black to match the paint on my car. This price is significantly higher than what it would cost me to have it painted.

Is this a fair/typical price for a job like this? If so, is it worth the additional cost to go this route or should I stick with paint?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Jbabic · Jbabic's Garage

I would just paint it...what do you gain by powder coating it? Will you have the car long?

kstylianos · 08:49 PM

Fassi....Try American Stripping Co. (ASC) in Manassas.

They just did my front suspension (everything) for about $300.

American Stripping Co.

They may not know what you are talking about if you try to describe over the phone. May want to take it there for them to see. Talk to Sharon. Their work is excellent.

BTW: They are closed on Sat.

-Charlie

AirCooledExcellence · AirCooledExcellence's Garage

How about DIY:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=60880&highlight=targa+bar

Not that difficult!

Cheers

FlaCarrera · 01-30-2003, 01:56 AM

Unless your car is black, I would vote no on matching paint...it would IMO, just look odd. No matter what color, then a satin finish black vs. gloss.
Ted in SoFla
86 Carrera Targa Blk/Blk

stealthn · 01-30-2003, 06:16 AM

My Targa bar could sure be brighter, but it has what almost looks like a "coating" rather than a paint on it. Best way I can describe it is a plastic type paint?
As far as paint vs powder - paint, Powder coating can cure with ripples, grit, and other imperfections in it.

rcilurso · rcilurso's Garage

I went to a iron fab place that did railings and had mine done for $125 with the correct grain or pattern in it. I had painted it myself once and it wore off over the years at the contact points with the top. I did not go with a body color, mine looks very very close to factory. Good powder coaters can get it on smooth but I don't think its worth $650. I'm very happy with mine, but I want to add I had to do it twice as the first guy made it look like crap with the ripples and trash mentioned above.

Fassi · 01-30-2003, 12:55 PM

Thanks guys,

I checked out American Stripping Co. and their price was much better at $350. My car is actually black, so I think the glossy black with a tinted rear window will look good. To be honest with you, this is the first I hear of ripples and grit in the finish. I am concerned that painting won't last. How common is the problem with ripples? From the pics I've seen, the finish looks smooth and deep. If anyone has a picture of their powder coated rollbar, please post it. Now if I can find a good place that does it for $125, that would be great

stealthn · 01-31-2003, 06:35 AM

Fassi,

Maybe RJ can post some pics, but powder coating is a poly/plastic that is heated on, so depending on how your bar is hung during the heating process, or the amount of material that adheres to areas of the bar it is an imperfect process.
That is not to say it can't come out perfect; it's just you kind of "wait to see" when it comes out to check the quality...then once it's on there, and the quality is not good your in a whole new world of hurt.
Maybe you could talk to the shop and set expectations, if they agree with what you're expecting, then if it doesn't come out as such they should strip and redo.

Just my two cents (CDN)

Post pics of what ever route you go.

CarreraS2 · 01-31-2003, 09:12 AM

I'm a big fan of powdercoating, but I think I'd rather paint, rather than pcoat, the targa bar.

You can generally get a better finish. Plus, given its location on the car, you don't need the added durability of powdercoating. A quality paint job on the bar should last the life of the car.

kristian85 · kristian85's Garage

*DON'T* powdercoat it--not really appropriate for such a cosmetic piece, and it will be subject to lots of sunlight. Powder coat can fade quite a lot when in sun. And, you'll never get a finish anywhere close to as nice as paint--wavy, bubbly, varying thickness, etc. Also, you can't repair/polish powdercoat if it ever gets scratched like you can paint. I'ver had LOTS of things powder coated over the years on the bikes, although the last time I did was 1995, so techniques may have gotten better since then. Doubt it, though.

Just don't do it. Especially not in glossy colors!

AZ1977911 · 01-31-2003, 10:35 AM

I have no input to give on this yet, but I'll Be getting mine done fairly soon I think, and wonder if anyone has tried HardCoat black anodizing.

Markus30 · 01-31-2003, 01:21 PM

Just curious but what is the original finish - powder, paint, or anodize?

Markus

Fassi · 01-31-2003, 01:42 PM

Thanks everybody,

I guess the consensus is that I should just have it painted. The board's advice has never let me down before, so that's what I'll do. Now if someone could just recommend a good paint shop in the DC area...

Markus,

I think the original finish was anodized black.

Thanks again for all the advice.