Powder Coating, Why ??? Options

[2-OH!]

As a relative newbie to this project, I need to understand the benefits of powder coating motor tin, cases, maifolds, struts, etc... versus just plain old, well applied, paint.

The cost is more but the finish doesn't seem to be that much better.

Is the Powder Coating harder, more durable, stand up better under heat ...Where should the benefits be ?????????

I had my intake pipes coated but the guy tells me not to get them above about 400 degress or it will flake off.

2-OH!

[r_towle]

I must say for those of us Cheap assholes here...

(Someone has to stand up and be proud)

Paint on engine Tin, properly done LOOKS GREAT!!!
Holds up fine (Four years and running and still looks fine.

I guess I really have no need to clean my engine with any solvents except the orangey stuff from under the kitchen sink...
I do not get oil on it, It does not leak (I made sure before going through the process of re-finishing the tin)

Now, I also must say...if powder coating were the cats ass and all...how come cars are not powder coated??
How about a show car....Im not talking about specific parts, I am talking about the entire car...

Paint hold up fine, just use the right two part epoxy based paints and everything is fine....

Spray paint sold at the hardware store is enamel paint....it will wipe off with lacquer because it is never cured....two part epoxy enamel work fine...

I Paint, I am proud of the paint work...AND This does not lower the bar or raise the bar (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) ....Just as long as how you do it is detailed and you use good materials, Powdercoating versus paint is a personal preference thing....powder coating is still paint applied to metal, it will still scratch off, it will still rust etc....