[Cameronluster]

What’s the best to paint my truck frame with? POR 15 or powder coat?

 

[joe_padavano]

C: none of the above.

How about you give us a little more info? Powder coat requires you to send the bare frame to a powder coat shop, where they will media blast it, apply powder, and bake it in an oven. The problem with powdercoat is that it isn't forever. When it does start to fail, it peels off in sheets. Plus, you can't really touch it up.

POR and the like are better than nothing and don't require total media blasting. You can touch them up. They are not UV-stable and will turn chalky unless you topcoat.

KBS makes an improved version that doesn't require topcoat.

 

[Ford blue blood]

Not to be contrary but I have powder coated parts in an engine bay that still look like the day they were put there almost ten years ago. They have been power washed, hit with de-greaser and multiple washes with car wash soap. No failure of any kind.

To answer the question, the intended use would be the determining factor. If you are builing a show car the powder coat is a second choice. Limited driver I would go with the powder coat. Daily, all weather use do the POR 15, but remember it needs to be top coated to retain good color.

 

[joe_padavano]

Not to be contrary but I have powder coated parts in an engine bay

Where they don't get exposed to UV or stones, or other road debris kicked up.

 

[johnsongrass1]

PC is durable, hard to remove for changes, hard to repair after said change, lots of colors,
Paint is easier to work with, probably less expensive, durable enough, easier touch ups.

 

[mordantly]

Also powder is usually applied by a human, so thickness can vary more then a brushed/sprayed coating and it will most likely add a substantial amount of weight to the vehehicle vs paints.

 

[ogre]

POR and the like are better than nothing and don't require total media blasting. You can touch them up. They are not UV-stable and will turn chalky unless you topcoat.

KBS makes an improved version that doesn't require topcoat.

i used por15 and kbs on my 58 truk frame and underbody. as joe mentions "You can touch them up." which is a big plus when you forgot to weld on a brake line bracket. i also did my frame in sections as i installed the mustII ifs and motor before removing the cab. i did not top coat most of the por15 as it is under the truk out of the sunlight and truk is garage kept. 12 years and 36k miles later i see no chalking or peeling. i sanded most of the frame with a right angle die grinder and then blasted brackets, nooks and crannies.
powdercoating has come off many of the parts and brackets that i did. it has it's use, i wouldn't do a frame. plus it's costly and really no one will ever look at your frame.

ifs installed. por15 on the front frame horns. white behind the cab is hanging plastic wall for sanding and sandblasting the rear of the frame

mustII, motor mounts, c-notch and rearend installed. frame boxed front and rear. i believe i just pulled the cab at this point