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

[bkrantz]

I prefer PC for any part that will be exposed to road grime and sand blasting, high heat, brake fluid, or other extreme wear. IMO the biggest downside is that the metal surface must be worked smooth, since no filler is allowed.

So far, I have not had any trouble with PC cracking or peeling, unless I bend something extremely.

[Mark Henry]

So far, I have not had any trouble with PC cracking or peeling, unless I bend something extremely.

You have to do all welding repairs, straightening of your tin, the surround edges, wire tabs and valve covers, etc., before sending your parts out. Any sketchy rust areas will likely come out as swiss cheese holes, so make sure you have good steel beneath that rust.
Last year I did 6 Djets worth of engine tin in one go, huge job just to do all this prep work before PC.