powder coat experiences?

[Kracker Jack]

Im gonna be coating my t-top here in the next week. Im tossed up between powdercoat (cheaper option) or linex(expensive options). Anybody have experiences with either product? I here alot of horror stories about powder coat in the marine enviroment and disimuliar metal contact issues. But if done right it can be a bulletproof coating. Thanks for all input.

[spareparts]

good paint holds up better. Ive used Awlgrip/Awlcraft, Dupont, PPG, BASF, and Sherwin Williams catalyzed industrial paint. All held up better than powdercoat, and can be touched up

[step up here]

Here is a thought if you could sell your old one (center consoles tee top should have a used market) then get a BRAND NEW one even could make a change or two. This may cost a touch more but you know it trumps any problems trying to redo the old.

[scook]

I'm definitely with Spare - my only experience with powder coating is in construction applications, bike racks, railings and things like that. I'm not at all impressed with its durability and wouldn't consider using it in a marine application. Just my opinion.

[tartuffe]

My t-top is powder coated, I bought it that way about 10 years ago. It is still in excellent condition. I also had my jack plate powder coated. With that said my t-top came off a scarab and is 2" aluminum tubing, very stout. The powder coated told me flex is the downfall of powder coat and nothing else. If it flexes it cracks and all falls apart.

[scook]

The problems I've see with it are chipping from impact and getting scraped by something hard. Not as likely on most boats unless you're banging dive tanks around as it is on guard rails or public bike racks but something to consider. I would use a coating with more flex to it.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Kracker Jack

Im gonna be coating my t-top here in the next week. Im tossed up between powdercoat (cheaper option) or linex(expensive options). Anybody have experiences with either product? I here alot of horror stories about powder coat in the marine enviroment and disimuliar metal contact issues. But if done right it can be a bulletproof coating. Thanks for all input.

Something else to consider also is a rubberized truck bed coating. (Like Rhinoliner or U-Pol) Once that stuff is on it's almost impossible to damage. (Watch the Mythbusters episode where they test it). The damn stuffs almost impossible to damage. (Don't forget as a truckbed liner it's made to have bricks, stones and other crap hit it with no damage).
It comes in various colors, including white. Just thinking outside the box, but really, there's no reason you can't use it.

[Kracker Jack]

Ive read and heard most down falls in powder coat is from disimuliar metal contact and lack of prep. My powder coat guy says he will media blast,the use a anti corrosive primer and then apply 3 coats of powder. From what i have been told he is going over and beyond the average powder coat guy.

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by step up here

Here is a thought if you could sell your old one (center consoles tee top should have a used market) then get a BRAND NEW one even could make a change or two. This may cost a touch more but you know it trumps any problems trying to redo the old.

My t-top fits my v-20 perfectly and only paid 300.00 dollars for it in good shape. I have money in the budget to modify it further to fit my needs. I got a hell of a deal on it.

[garbubba]

I think there is a big difference in quality of powder coating. I had the rims of my 1997 Toyota media blasted and coated 4 years ago they still look like new. There is no way any paint could do that. The guy does T-tops all the time. Son in law just had the frame of his '69 camaro done.

Me I'm a believer that nothing beats a well done powder coat.