Hey,
It is definately not powder coating, but similar. I know that the process of thermically stripping car body parts is not new. It is getting used more and more often now though, because the control over the process has grown, meaning that body parts aren't harmed in the process anymore. It used to be quite difficult to get the panels out without warpage, but apparently they have overcome that problem. That is quite possibly why it takes 24 hours.
As you will probably know, nobody in carland ever guarantees anything 100%, but everyone is very confident in the process and my body shop guy sweares it will never need attention again! As the parts have all been soaked in the bath and were chrged, the 'paint' supposedly adheres to any spot it can find. Therefore getting into places that sprayguns or brushes could never get. Supposedly, the finish is even capable of sealing slight rust in so good, it won't spread. But, I wouldn't put to much money on that one! So, there is no guarantee that the trunklid will not rust through in a couple of years, but it will have to have been real bad before if it is likely to happen.
My body guy started using it more a year ago and now uses it whenever applicable. He's in the damage repair normally, so replacement is often preferred, but on our kind of cars, this is the best alternative to new sheetmetal, especially if the metal is sound.
In my case, this meant saving all original sheetmetal! The only repro metal you'll find is a rear valance panel and a right quarter (skin, was replaced at least 6 years ago).
Columbo
First time rolling restoration, 66 289 nearing completion.
It is definately not powder coating, but similar. I know that the process of thermically stripping car body parts is not new. It is getting used more and more often now though, because the control over the process has grown, meaning that body parts aren't harmed in the process anymore. It used to be quite difficult to get the panels out without warpage, but apparently they have overcome that problem. That is quite possibly why it takes 24 hours.
As you will probably know, nobody in carland ever guarantees anything 100%, but everyone is very confident in the process and my body shop guy sweares it will never need attention again! As the parts have all been soaked in the bath and were chrged, the 'paint' supposedly adheres to any spot it can find. Therefore getting into places that sprayguns or brushes could never get. Supposedly, the finish is even capable of sealing slight rust in so good, it won't spread. But, I wouldn't put to much money on that one! So, there is no guarantee that the trunklid will not rust through in a couple of years, but it will have to have been real bad before if it is likely to happen.
My body guy started using it more a year ago and now uses it whenever applicable. He's in the damage repair normally, so replacement is often preferred, but on our kind of cars, this is the best alternative to new sheetmetal, especially if the metal is sound.
In my case, this meant saving all original sheetmetal! The only repro metal you'll find is a rear valance panel and a right quarter (skin, was replaced at least 6 years ago).
Columbo
First time rolling restoration, 66 289 nearing completion.
