Powder Coating Question??

[OLD GUY]

I need some help and advice. I want to have the front A-Arms from my quad powder coated. My question is since Yamaha's ball joints can't be removed, has anyone had theirs done by taping over them to seal them from sand blasting and powder coating and going ahead with the powder coating. I have found out that if you need to replace the ball joints you have to buy the entire A-arm. Please let me know your opinions.

[RobC]

I was going to try this on the a-arms of a 250R years ago that had ball joints that you couldn't remove. What I was told is that the heat from baking the powder coating was too much for the ball joint. If there is grease and any plastic parts inside the ball joint, the heat from baking the powder coat could ruin the joint. So I never did it. Just ended up spray painting them. The pains lasts a while, but eventually does get sandblasted off.

[ChuckZilla]

Talk to your powder coater, they may have tricks you don't know about. I can ask tomorrow at work. (We have a powder coating dept).

[valen76]

I was told by the guys who did my frame (olympic coatings in Escondido) the same thing about the ball joints....they can't take the heat. Of course that was in 2001 or 2002. So I sanded them and my swing axle down primered them put some silver rattle can and then a bunch of clear on them and the swing arm still looks pretty good. I went plus 3 on the a-arms so I don't know how long they would have lasted. Of course it doesnt hurt to aks they might have some new techniques now.

[OLD GUY]

Thanks to everyone. With your comments I have decided not to have them powder coated. Sounds like spray painting would be the best. Thanks again for the help.