I am a building a new Southern Cross MK V and cant make my mind up on the frame finish. Love the raw look of the big(huge) dollar US cars, but my weldings not worth bragging about and havent got the time required to keep it looking pretty. Love the powdercoat for durability and easy care, although a pain for welding. Hate the thought of just painting it as its my new pride and joy. One upside to painting is that if(and when) things break(fall off) it makes repairs easier. Or paint now, strip and coat after first seasons testing is done. Whats your thoughts?
I'd suggest paint now, powdercoat later. Just remember, good powdercoat can virtually never be removed (sandblasted etc), I am now trying to contemplate how to remove 3 coats of powdercoat for my next rebuild, but apparently it's not possible!
3 coats sounds like a huge job, different colours? last time i saw your car was at Donald a year or two ago and it was spotless. As it is a new car i am worried that there will be the need to move and modify things. What about the raw look, easy to find cracks but a lot of work to keep looking good.
It was'nt 3 coats at once.....I think it may have been powdercoated twice before I owned it, and then I coated over the top (as it couldnt be sandblasted). Does anyone have any ideas about removing powdercoat? The only thing I've heard of is burning it off!
Gotta love google, came up with 101 different options. Everything from aircraft stripper, gasket stripper and some that think sandblasting is easy. Most of them were stripping smaller stuff, but its just more ellbow grease. a couple of them were just spray, come back two beers later and jobs done. I always thought sandblasting was the go, but with 3 layers thats going to be a challenge. Your cars well worth the effort . I googled removing powder coat, see what you think.
I always wondered if you could clear coat a frame. With this you get the ability too inspect the frame, as well as protection to the elements. Just a thought at least
Not a bad thought at all. Would look cool and be easy to keep looking good. Bit self conscious about my welding, although i have seen lots worse. Its funny how closely you look at other buggies once you start building one. I havnt got that far and already i am thinking i'll do that different next time. Happy enough with the parts i've bought so far, theres always one dearer!
Sorry to go off topic, but when you say you are building a new Southern Cross MK V do you mean you are actually welding the frame together from plans or something? Or you bought the frame and are fitting it out?
Bob Strawbridge(my hero) is Mr Southern Cross, he builds the main part of the frame and supplies arms and stubs if required. Then i have to fab the gearbox and engine undercarriage, mount steering rack, suspension etc. With so many different combinations its hard for him to cater for all. It would make the frames much dearer if Bob did all that extra work. He is working on a new MK VI now that will have shock mounts etc done and the price will have to go up, the Mk V frame is a bargain especially when looking at the cost of other components, shocks, trans, hubs etc.
I always wondered if you could clear coat a frame. With this you get the ability too inspect the frame, as well as protection to the elements. Just a thought at least
O.K., I admit, I have 4 coats if you include clear. The blue was baked on, then a clear metallic coat was baked on over the top
for better effect. Apparently the clear coat at that time was rare and was possibly no-longer available.
I would powdercoat if i built a new car simply for the durability of it, But like Steve said it is a problem when you need to remove it. My car has been powdercoated for 12 years now and is still good[ apart from the front half].
I think i will powdercoat, but not until i have run the car for a while as there will be things that need to be changed. Will paint it first, gone off the raw/clear idea, will leave for that for the tig welded US cars. Gotta finish the car first! Just picked up my stubs with 2'' hollow spindles, they look real nice in my lounge room! Perhaps i do have a problem, ex wife could be right.
is Mr Southern Cross, he builds the main part of the frame and supplies arms and stubs if required. Then i have to fab the gearbox and engine undercarriage, mount steering rack, suspension etc. With so many different combinations its hard for him to cater for all. It would make the frames much dearer if Bob did all that extra work. He is working on a new MK VI now that will have shock mounts etc done and the price will have to go up, the Mk V frame is a bargain especially when looking at the cost of other components, shocks, trans, hubs etc. 
