SPIuser
New Member
Hello:
I am restoring rear suspension components for BMW e30, namely the rear sub-frame and both lower control arms.
I'm not new to the resto hobby, being more of a hobbyist mechanic to-date; now spreading my abilities into bodywork and finishing; so in short, new to coatings.
I chose to have these items de-rusted via chemical immersion by a professional service. This same service then outsources the parts to an immersion e-coater. I believe the process includes an oven bake just as entire car bodies/frames are done. As to what specific brand coating the outsourced e-coater uses is not known to me, nor have I asked. In past exercises, I have opted for hired out powder coaters for undercarriage components, with good success; I wanted to try this methodology this time.
The parts I received back are coated inside and out; some visible surfaces are smooth and look great, other areas feel rough and basically look surface pitted. My objective is to select a finishing process whereby I can achieve a greater degree of smoothness across most all these visible surfaces for appearance sake. I don't believe I should get into hard sanding the e-coat and potentially exposing bare metal. An option I did not exercise this time from the de-rusting service was to take the parts back after chemical immersion to work the raw metal before returning said parts to their immersion e-coater.
After much reading and research, I remain somewhat in doubt yet of what SPI coatings I want to use to achieve the next step(s); and I seek input from people wiser than I. But I do believe I think I should head for SPI Hi Build primer next and sand. After that, I am really up in the air what to do.
I have a semi-sophisticated homemade spray room in my garage, a 1 1/2 hp Rol-Air wheeled electric compressor, and plan on using CA Tech cup gun. Admittedly, I do wonder if I should consider HVLP.
But first thing is first, SPI HiBuild Primer next?
Thanks
Chris
I am restoring rear suspension components for BMW e30, namely the rear sub-frame and both lower control arms.
I'm not new to the resto hobby, being more of a hobbyist mechanic to-date; now spreading my abilities into bodywork and finishing; so in short, new to coatings.
I chose to have these items de-rusted via chemical immersion by a professional service. This same service then outsources the parts to an immersion e-coater. I believe the process includes an oven bake just as entire car bodies/frames are done. As to what specific brand coating the outsourced e-coater uses is not known to me, nor have I asked. In past exercises, I have opted for hired out powder coaters for undercarriage components, with good success; I wanted to try this methodology this time.
The parts I received back are coated inside and out; some visible surfaces are smooth and look great, other areas feel rough and basically look surface pitted. My objective is to select a finishing process whereby I can achieve a greater degree of smoothness across most all these visible surfaces for appearance sake. I don't believe I should get into hard sanding the e-coat and potentially exposing bare metal. An option I did not exercise this time from the de-rusting service was to take the parts back after chemical immersion to work the raw metal before returning said parts to their immersion e-coater.
After much reading and research, I remain somewhat in doubt yet of what SPI coatings I want to use to achieve the next step(s); and I seek input from people wiser than I. But I do believe I think I should head for SPI Hi Build primer next and sand. After that, I am really up in the air what to do.
I have a semi-sophisticated homemade spray room in my garage, a 1 1/2 hp Rol-Air wheeled electric compressor, and plan on using CA Tech cup gun. Admittedly, I do wonder if I should consider HVLP.
But first thing is first, SPI HiBuild Primer next?
Thanks
Chris