Paint v Powdercoat [Hood]

[BrightWhiteGladiator]

I got quotes to do both for an aftermarket steel hood I purchased.

Powdercoating, I believe, is going to be more durable and the quote came in $150 less.

the owner said he can match just about any color and can give it a mirror finish.

Has anyone done this?

I am worried it will not match the rest of the paint perfectly in that: it will reflect light differently, it will age differently, get dirty differently, etc.

Legitimate considerations or just thinking about it too much?

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[kevman65]

Do a contrast color instead of trying to match.

 

[Mac]

Color match would be a concern also you cannot touch up powder coating

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I do powder coating - granted, small parts, not frames or hoods, but still - parts for show cars among other things.
Yes, it WILL reflect light differently, yes it will age differently, colors will look different - you're not going to get a perfect match unless you want black or white (even then - it's not perfect in all cases)
You can get shine and depth if you clear powder over the color powder (you don't 100% cure the first coat, then powder it and into the heat again)
I have yet to get what I'd call a mirror finish, but I usually don't try. I get good shine - I did some quilting machine aluminum parts in a translucent raspberry color and it had a nice shine and real depth.

But as far as a perfect match, or the exact same look in the sun, etc. - I'd not look for that.
Tough, FLEXIBLE (I do SPRINGS and it never fails - I have powder coated a number of springs and have yet to have the finish give out) and it's tough - won't chip like paint, and chemicals won't hurt it like they will paint. In fact, if you mess up, heaven help you getting it off and starting over- takes some chemicals to get it off.
Can your hood handle 450 degree heat to melt the powder, then 400 degrees for curing? It will discolor a lot of steels so you'd want it powder coated all surfaces, under and above.

 

[BrightWhiteGladiator]

Color match would be a concern also you cannot touch up powder coating

That’s a really good point

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Color match would be a concern also you cannot touch up powder coating

Very true - it takes a hell of a lot to chip it, but then you're done unless someone has come up with a different process than I'm aware of.

I'd go so far as to say you won't get a perfect color match. It's plastic.
You can blend powders for different effects or custom colors, but that's experimental as you don't know until it's melted and set.

 

[dreston]

+1 on paint. Easy to maintain and touch up if needed.

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