weathering a powder coated part

[B5813]

Just wondering if I were to take a black wrinkle powder coated part and spot sand it for a weathered effect would that compromise the edge of the PC/sanded areas causing it to eventually flake?

[xl97]

its possible...

I tend to treat PC as a more durable 'paint'...

all the same rules apply...IMHO..

[FenderBender]

Depends on the individual PC. Like gloss black, I had to take it to the wire brush on my bench grinder to get it off of a part, even paint stripper would barely touch it. Flat black, can be sanded well, just matte clear over it when you're done weathering.

[eastern57]

High-grit wet-sanding will preserve the surface enough so that it won't fade. It will take you a long to break up the surface to get down to the aluminuim, but you're not "scraping" the finish off... it more of a gradual rub-down... ~1000g or higher

If you use too high a grit (~400g or less), it digs into the coating too deeply and that will increase fading. It doesn't really "flake" off, but if you leave the surface rough, it'll fade faster.

[xl97]

while PC 'can' flake in some area.. (usually after a scratch or gouge)..

if PC in general is 'flaking off'... bring it back and have it re-done.. they didnt a crappy job..

either cleaning the part before dusting
not outgassing the part before dusting
not having a good ground/connection before dusting. :)

[B5813]

I've never had issue with the results coming out of the shop here. My intention was to flat black a ribbed/v-groove extension and then take a fairly light grit sand paper to the raised areas for subtle, not intense weathering. It should be fairly safe. Not like spray paint flaking anyway.

[eastern57]

Oh. In that case, it should work fine. ;)

[Crystal Chambers]

Does anyone know what happens in more intense conditions like if you strike it with a file to make deep scratches?

Maybe a good idea is to ask Tim how much he'd charge to have some seconds or scrap stock powdercoated for testing if that would be possible

[eastern57]

Depends on how mad you are... but my guess is that it would scratch.

[Kal El Rah]

Does anyone know what happens in more intense conditions like if you strike it with a file to make deep scratches?

Maybe a good idea is to ask Tim how much he'd charge to have some seconds or scrap stock powdercoated for testing if that would be possible

PC is a baked on polymer/plastic coating, it is very hard, chem resistant and in general 1 of the best innovations of the 20th/21st century, the only flaw is that you can in certain circumstances the possibility to chip/crack the PC or if you will totally chip it off a part, hard to do but it can/has happened. Sanding/wire brushing as stated by Fender can be used to get the weathering effect you are looking for.

[Skottsaber]

So if you filed some off you wouldn't have to clear coat it?

[Crystal Chambers]

Others have said filing is risky and could result in chipping.
I would think IF you didn't chip it with a file then a clear would prevent the filed areas from chipping after.

Seems to me that if you used a rotary tool on a high speed with a fine tooth cut/grind disc you could grind out some deeper scratches or even use an engraving tip to etch some finer scratches.

Would these ideas work?

Testing on scrap material is always a safe route to go.