Powder coating or painting what's your opinion Options

[TonyA]

When installing fasteners on powder coated items I notice that the powder coating can crack and peel off at the fastener contact. Would it not be better to prep the metal with sand blasting etc. as with powder coating and spray a good etching primer or galvanizing primer and then top coat. When installing fasteners on this application there is not as much damage to the surrounding area. just MHO

[mepstein]

Tony - It shouldn't crack or peel. Peeling is poor surface prep or maybe the oven was the wrong temp, cracking may be too thick an application. The part should be coated with a fastener or plug in the part so no powder gets on the threads. Sometimes parts are blasted and then bare for days or weeks before coating. Fine in dry climates but on the east coast, it's not good. But bottom line, it should stay put unless you cut or grind it off.

It's fine to blast, prime and paint. Shawn at True6 uses a lot of cerikote because its a very tough and durable finish but is so thin, it doesn't usually need any plugs on the threads, similar to plating.

I really liked powder coat when I worked at the shop because I could use the part a couple minutes after removing from the oven and the finish is super tough but there are other options that work well.