Powdercoating Rails? bad idea for strength? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

93Wildcat700 · 02-06-2012, 07:22 AM

As the title states. Since we have no snow here. GRRR

I pulled my skid and i want to have the rails powder-coated black. I did some searching and i have read in quite a few places where people are saying that when you bake them at 400 after coating it weakens the Rail??? Anyone ever have this issue.

Skid is a 2000 ZRT 600 skid. Has rail reinforcements.

Im bored so mine as well get all my shocks rebuilt and a-arms coated too.

Also im replacing all the Bolts/nuts washers with new yellow zinc ones. Just looks much nicer. Clearly we have no snow

smokingcrater · 02-06-2012, 08:12 AM

400 is fine... It won't weaken aluminum, there are no structural changes that can happen that temp.

I'd be more worried about trying to get slides back on it.

93Wildcat700 · 02-06-2012, 09:27 AM

I was told that you can tape them off (bottom of slides) with high heat tape.

But i was told that would weaken the temper... Just wanted to bounce that around. Like if you called ICE age rails they will tell you NOT to powdercoat them??

i dunno just wanted to ask? Thanks for the input Crater!

brokenparachute · 02-07-2012, 12:28 AM

that sounds awesome. now i'm going to check into that. i did a post late last year on how to repaint a snowmobile hood idk i was thinking of going bright green hood, black rails and bright green powder coated A arms. what do you think?

Matt100410 · 02-07-2012, 08:16 AM

What material are your rails made of? Aluminum cannot be powder coated because the bake temperature is high enough to make the aluminum pliable and deform the rail. And I like the idea of a bright green hood and a-arms with black rails. That sounds like a cool scheme.

93Wildcat700 · 02-07-2012, 11:47 AM

Im pretty sure they are aluminum that's why i brought this up. Not seeing a TON of info on this seems like a subject no one want to comment on?

Anyway i found a couple of egged out holes in my rail so im getting new rails... may just get some 136 rails and build on that. Not sure depends on price. The Long bolt that goes through the Rear shock egged out the rail holes. they are like oblonged now

I like how i can find $500 in damage in 10 min. LMAO

Matt100410 · 02-07-2012, 01:56 PM

You may want to talk to the powdercoater. I looked and some say it can be done but I was always told it can't because of the heat disforming the part

smokingcrater · 02-07-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt100410

What material are your rails made of? Aluminum cannot be powder coated because the bake temperature is high enough to make the aluminum pliable and deform the rail. And I like the idea of a bright green hood and a-arms with black rails. That sounds like a cool scheme.

all depends on the heat... If it is 400 degrees like the OP says, its fine. 500+, you risk it deforming a little.

600RacerX · 02-07-2012, 10:23 PM

Lots of mis information in this post.

Yes, you can powder coat aluminum, and it will not hurt your stock rails. Getting the powder to stick right is all in the surface prep. A good guy will get it to work every time. Oven temps are only around 400 degrees and won't deform the rail. To tape off the powder coating many shops will just form tinfoil around where you want "taped" off and spray over it.

Ice Age rails does not recommend powder coating because they use a special alloy and temper to keep them strong and cut them to a bear minimum to keep them usable. It is not recommended to powder coat them because they are built to such tight specs.

Another option is hard coat anodizing. If I were to do it, this would be my choice. It is actually a chemical reaction to dye the aluminum itself. It doesn't add any additional material to the rails and won't chip off over time.

And as far as replacing your bolts. Make sure they are a high graded bolt. (grade 8 or better).

93Wildcat700 · 02-08-2012, 07:40 AM

Ok thanks Racerx that all seems Kosher to me!

Yeah i have all grade 8 yellow zinc bolts/washers/nuts. although the skid has grade 5 bolts from the factory i like to take it up a notch. Thanks

I have to order a new set of rails so debating on getting 136 pantera rails while im at??? Hmmm choices.

This is on my 2000 zrt with 700 efi motor. NO SNOW here so project time

Matt100410 · 02-08-2012, 08:05 AM

Yeah thanks for clarifying us 600RacerX. I was always told not to try because oven temps would deform it, that's the only reason I said it then told him to check with the coater.

JheLrey · 02-08-2012, 08:25 AM

I've seen pics of guys who beat the heck out of sleds... then they get the rails powder coated. They go out again and then the rails snap...

I would say paint, not powder

**BC_Dan** · 02-08-2012, 09:15 AM

A good welder can weld your egged-out holes and rebore them. You can also bore larger holes and put a bushing in to bring the diameter down to spec. I had an egged-out hole on my 650, cost me 15 bucks to have it welded and re-bored. I can't comment too much on how it's holding up, that sled doesn't get ridden a lot, but the repair was over 5 years ago and it's still going strong. That may not be a great option if you like hitting a lot of jumps, though

93Wildcat700 · 02-08-2012, 10:19 AM

Yeah Dan im sure it can be fixed, But with this 2000 type skid there's a 14" bolt that goes through the rear shock arm and torsion spring holders. So there's ALOT of force in that mounting hole. Thats whats egged. Dont want to get cheap on it now.

the plan was to just rebuild this thing to brand new. New hyfax, shock rebuilds (adding a resi to the rear shock), New torsions, Guides, anything that's wore out. new bearings in all wheels, 2 new orange rear wheels. 15 year old skid pretty much everything is wore out or rubbed to death. Im looking more at andonizing now. just need to decide 136 vs 121???

They are EGGED out GOOD. IMO id rather just spend the 90 bucks for a pair of spanky new ones i was cheap around Christmas so i can blow a few bucks now.

Riding Around here its HARSH on skids i don't want to chance it. I dont hit 100 footers, but yeah i jump it and i want it to be Solid like a tank. I wouldn't even want a skid without rail reinforcements. I ride hard and i want a good skid under this thing

I know i can add a bushing like you said but i also don't want to get cheap either. Thanks for the option BC... I did consider that but i don't want to build the whole thing and break it in the field

**BC_Dan** · 02-08-2012, 05:36 PM

Don't blame you

Sometimes I will toss out alternatives, knowing that the original poster is not going that route, but it may give others that are following the thread something else to look at. Sometimes new parts are impossible to find and used parts are less than perfect if you find them. I would do new rails, as well.

I have not seen anything on the snow that has been colored, if you do the anodizing, take some pics and post them. I see a LOT of guys powder-coating their suspension torque arms and cross members, but when you ride in the snow, you can't see that at all; all you see is snow! It would be interesting to see some color on the rails like that.

93Wildcat700 · 02-08-2012, 05:52 PM

Dan to your point. Totally agree on not being able to see it but over here in the flatlands you get more viewing than snowing..

my thinking on having stuff powdercoated

1. Not too many people have a 2000 sled all mint. Kinda going for a total resto here. want whole skid done and a-arms spindles, riser.....

2. Yeah agreed no ones going to see my rail going WOT.. haha but i have read that its harder for snow/ice to freeze and build up on newly powder-coated/ andonized parts so i was hoping to benefit from that i hate defrosting my skid all the time.

Most all snow-x racers do it. few buddies that race all andonize them.. i may go that direction

3. Im def doing it. I just linked up with a guy on Arctic chat that is 20 min from me works at a powder specific shop. Awesome. He has real nice builds on Arcticchat his names Joe. hopefully i get a forum discount

4. Really not looking forward to taking a-arms off but its gotta happen.. and at that point i have to take the plastics off so im prob going to coat the tunnel..

heres one of his builds check it out

Sno pro modded tunnel (build) - Page 4 - ArcticChat.com - Arctic Cat Forum

JD8345RT · 02-08-2012, 11:55 PM

@600RacerX sounds interesting! I know the prep involved for powdercoating, but what goes on for anodizing to happen?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC_Dan

Sometimes I will toss out alternatives, knowing that the original poster is not going that route, but it may give others that are following the thread something else to look at.

Advice for everyone, the stuff great moderators are made of

brokenparachute · 02-09-2012, 01:37 AM

I read all up and down this forum but does anyone know who does anodizing or how to

sounds like a b.a. summer project. and you WILL be able to see every color on the sled with this winter's snow

**BC_Dan** · 02-09-2012, 09:05 AM

What is Anodizing?

Brief description.

Maybe I should anodize my rails, that way I would have something else to do this summer... go out and stare at the cool rails AND sit on the seat and make VROOM, VROOM noises

Win/win!!

600RacerX · 02-09-2012, 10:02 AM

Only problems with anodizing is that some claim the color to fade if left in the sun. Also sometimes the black comes out with a more purple hue