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73 steel brake drums - paint or powdercoat?


pbarcher

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Hi All,

The original aluminum brake drums on my '73 are no longer within spec, so I've ordered some steel replacements made by Centric. I hate the idea of seeing rusty drums so I want to paint or powdercoat them in a color that approximates the originals.

I've been given a price of $60 each for powdercoating, which seems expensive considering that the drums only cost $24 each. Painting would be a lot cheaper but I don't know if the coating would last. Would I need high temp?

Suggestions?

Peter

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Searching old threads on the subject suggest that painting cast iron drums inhibits cooling, generally an opinion held by racers/track day/ auto-xers,etc., who probably would avoid heavier drums in favor of the steel lined aluminum, which definitely don't benefit from painting.

For a normal duty DD, media blasting, stainless steel brushing, degreasing, etc., prior to a quality clear coating job seemed to win out.

IMO, sixty bucks per drum seems high, considering my nasty salvage ZX wheels were cleaned, prepped and powder coated for that price- granted a couple of years ago but still...

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Hey pbarcher,

I would definatley check another powder coating shop, if that's what you decide to do. $60 each is very high for steel drums. Steel is generally cheaper than alloy due to the prep time being easier. I paid $60 to have my valve cover powdercoated black, and it's aluminum.

Bryce

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Aluminum flake brake paint in a rattlecan. Looks exactly like fresh cast aluminum and will last a looooong time on drums, with a non-daily driver. If it chips or gets grungy, a can of brake-kleen and a fresh coat of spray good for another 5-10 years. Cheap and effective. Put the money elsewhere.

I swear by this.

http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Paints-Silver-Brake-Caliper/dp/B001M9FZLW

779598712_SFeSL-XL.jpg

Edited by cygnusx1
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