The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Front Axle Powder Coat?

I'm thinking about having my front axle powder coated when I drop my frame off.
Are there precautions / instructions to be heeded, so that nothing gets fouled up during sandblasting or powdercoating?

Thanks,
mark.
'51 KY 3100

Most powdercoating shops shy away from anything having tight tolerances or extensive machining. They have to be extra careful when taping up the housing. The other problem is how to support an axle housing while in the powdercoating oven - if it is hung wrong, the housing will be warped when you pull it out. Powdercoating an axle housing is usually something they don't bother with, but if your guy will do it just make sure he is careful with it.

There is no problem whatsoever in powdercoating your front axle as I did mine. Simply mask off the surfaces which ride against your spindle and spindle/kingpin bearing. If you are replacing kingpins with oversized I suggest you have the axle honed to fit them before coating so the axle don't get uglied up when you do it later.

Powdercoat is cured at only 350 to 400 F and there is no way the axle will soften anf warp at that low temperature. You can hang it any way you want to with no fear.