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Panel - Paint or Powder Coat
Has anyone painted their panel instead of powder coated - and found a paint that they would recommend for durability, or have any feedback about painting vs. powder coating? Looking at painting only as a small savings in cost, not entirely sure it is worth it to powder coat.
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SteinAir painted and then laser etched / filled my panel for me ... no long term testing yet, but the paint is surprisingly durable. I've installed nuts on switches, etc and have not had any issue with the paint whatsoever. It looks great.
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If you are like many of us, your panel will be modified over the years because of adding and/or changing avionics or instruments. Painting is much easier to "touch up" than powder coat.
$.02 to your favorite charity please. |
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Paint (did it myself) but Stein cut the panel and did the layout.
Three years and 350+ hours and it still looks new. No major modifications, but I've drilled a couple new holes (oil cooler) and no issues. -Dan |
Another vote for paint over powder coat here.
Or, you can do what I did and simply use black-anodized .063 Al sheet for panel and engrave or laser-etch through the anodized layer. The anodization is tough but will scratch with enough encouragement and is not as easy to touch up as paint. Mine looks great after five years though, I'd do it again. |
Yet another vote for paint. I've used PPG Concept over epoxy primer for multiple panels and they've been amazingly durable.
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Rustoleum rattle can gray. 11yrs 2000hrs Still looks surprisingly good.
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Rattle can paint has held up well on the panel of my -6 for 17 years. So, if you like the look of paint, that's an easy solution.
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+1 for rustoleam rattle can
Used the gray like Scott on panel, roll bar etc, 10 years later and it still looks good. Easy to spray (used the primer first), flows well, sets up quickly, and seems to handle a wide range of application temperatures. I used the Brother TZ tape labeling machine for the labels and they look OK as well.
Figs |
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