bigboybanshee Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 I hear mixed opinions on whether or not you can chrome or PC stock a-arms, and I want to know if it's possible for either. For powdercoating, I hear the reason you can't get them done is because of the ball joint (not being able to remove it)...something about the heat from the oven will mess it all up. Is this true? If it is, what's the reason? I know the rubber boot would need to be removed but would the heat really do that much damage to the ball and grease? And for chroming (if it's possible), how would you go about not getting any chrome in the ball joint, etc.? Can the chromer cap off the ball joint to prevent it from getting covered? I would imagine if any of the chrome were to get in the actual ball joint it would be useless...right? Reason I ask these questions is mainly because I'm REALLY torn on what I want to do with my a-arms, and I was hoping to get some solid info about what I can or can't do and why...I'd hate to paint them and find out later I could of had them either PC'd or chromed. Buying aftermarkets with removable heim joints is not an option right now for me...I can't afford them after buying everything I have for this drag project Thanks for any help/facts/ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master of Faster Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 (edited) I took an extra a-arm that I had, removed the rubber boot and heated it up to see if it could be PC'ed. The ball joint must be plastic lined because after I heated it, it was junk, very loose. So I don't think PC is a good option. Maybe someone has done it with success though. I know you can chrome stock arms, seen many of them done. I'm looking for a place to do mine right now. Must tape off the ball joint I guess. Edited June 28, 2005 by Master of Faster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banshee17Racing Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 I really wouldn't try the PC on stock arms. I've heard way too many people say they're useless after trying. I have seen people "powdercoat" their stock arms, but I have no idea how they did it without their balljoints coming loose. I just couldn't ride with PC'ed stock arms without constently thinking about what would happen if they came apart. I've seen some chrome arms that looks damn good, too. I'm not sure how they keep from fucking up the balljoint, but they can somehow. I would look into chroming your a-arms before trying PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badcompany Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 A guy down here that powdercoated his stock arms. He said he ruined his first set, but he said his second set he covered the ball joint with grease so after they were baked, he knocked off all of the cooked grease and he said the ball joint was fine. He runs them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locogato11283 Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 there is a way to pc stock arms but im not exactly sure how. i hear its a pain tho. my powder coat guy has done it but he says its not hardly worth the hassle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboybanshee Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 This is good info guys, keep it coming Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave95.1 Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 I took an extra a-arm that I had, removed the rubber boot and heated it up to see if it could be PC'ed. The ball joint must be plastic lined because after I heated it, it was junk, very loose. So I don't think PC is a good option. Maybe someone has done it with success though. The guy at the PC shop here said he did the same thing the first time he tried stock arms. He won't touch them anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboybanshee Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Well I definitely think I can rule out the PC'ing...seems like chroming them would be a much better option. Thanks for the info guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb67rs1 Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 you can PC them , i have done several sets after figuring out how to do them, you CANNOT bake them in your oven. PC to cure must be baked in 400 degree temp for about 15 minutes to cure, but the powder will start to flow out at around 150-180. so what you have to do is use a IR light and heat them at the top and let it radiate down , you will not get the full cure at the ball joint end but it will still hold longer than paint would, so you can do it, it just takes a little time and you have to make sure that end doesnt get over 200 degrees or it will melt the teflon inside the ball joint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboybanshee Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 you can PC them , i have done several sets after figuring out how to do them, you CANNOT bake them in your oven. PC to cure must be baked in 400 degree temp for about 15 minutes to cure, but the powder will start to flow out at around 150-180. so what you have to do is use a IR light and heat them at the top and let it radiate down , you will not get the full cure at the ball joint end but it will still hold longer than paint would, so you can do it, it just takes a little time and you have to make sure that end doesnt get over 200 degrees or it will melt the teflon inside the ball joint. 386768[/snapback] Would you be interested in PC'ing mine? I've seen that IR light you're talking about on Eastwood's site, was thinking of getting one down the road but wasn't sure how well they worked... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYUK Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 they can be chromed also.these are triple plated.the balljoints must be cleaned of all grease.and taped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb67rs1 Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Would you be interested in PC'ing mine? I've seen that IR light you're talking about on Eastwood's site, was thinking of getting one down the road but wasn't sure how well they worked... 386876[/snapback] sure 20 bucks each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboybanshee Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 sure 20 bucks each 386946[/snapback] You have a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XxMeltIcexX Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 I got mine PC'd, my PC shop didnt garauntee the perfection, only a little fo the teflon came out, they are not as tight as they used to be, but its tight enoguh that they wont fall out... I just did it for the meantime, im not going to have them forever... Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider11 Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 i have mine cromed...so i guess its ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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