cast iron radiators

[Guest]

So I got hooked up with this backyard blaster the other day. I gave him a harley frame and swing arm to try him out lets just say he is going to be a huge time/labor saver. He is also proving to be a valuable contact I have already got 3 other jobs from him.

Long story short he calls me for another quote this morning a women contacted him about blasting 11 cast iron radiators for a remodel that she is doing and was curious if he knew anyone that did powder coating.

10 of the radiators are 24"L X 6"D X 23"T and 1 is 50"L X 6"D X 23"T

These will be coming already blasted and I know it will be done right.

I have no idea on what to quote, this is a little out of my normal area of motorcycle and car parts. I can 2 of the smaller ones at one time and the larger one will be a solo cure. That is if I do the fully assembled if they are like the normal radiators that I have seen most are held together by a long piece of all thread. Do you think it would be better to brake them down?

For the big question how hot do these things run? Will the heating and cooling effect the powder? They cant run any hotter then a Harley and I have had no problems with caoting those.

Thanks

[Guest]

Re: cast iron radiators

They should not get that hot. Good to set BUTT on to warm up cheeks I don't think I would take them apart unless you have whatever type seals or needed to replace them. But on the other hand you are getting ready to cure at 400 and you just might wipe out the old seals? Also its going to take some time to get them to temp I would think and depending on the design of then you just might want to hot flock them? It looks to me that all the hard work will be done and you just shoot and bake. Now depending on if you need to take them apart and replace the seals I would say $30 to $40 small and $60 to $80 for the big? You also need to know the torque specks on the rods and you just might want to write up an agreement that you are not responsible for leaks? Just like you would if you did a set of calipers that you took apart and then put back together? The radiators would come under boiler maker type rules I would think and you don't want to be responsible for scalding steam or house damage!

Did you say you don't do working RADIATORS just for LOOK ones

Maybe someone else will help you but it might be best if you internet searching and then make calls and send emails?

Good luck. Money is money but trouble is not what a coater needs.

[Guest]

Re: cast iron radiators

Duke you bring up a valid point about leaks and the different materials used between the cast and whatever is used for the seal.

Hmm need to think about this one.

[Guest]

Re: cast iron radiators

Hey being old is one thing in my favor and the second is that I like Star Trek and Spock was my mentor And that is in theory it might work and it might not. So when in doubt think about it real hard. Its worked OK for me so far A lot of questions on the forum can be answered by the person that ask the question if he will really think about it! Except for HD and he does not want to have to think unless he has to remember when its Beer time and time for a DOG just picking HD

Duke you bring up a valid point about leaks and the different materials used between the cast and whatever is used for the seal.

Hmm need to think about this one.

[rbroker]

Re: cast iron radiators

I bet there are joints in there that are soldered together. They will liquefy at cure temps. Better use a low cure powder...

[Guest]

Re: cast iron radiators

If its cast there want be but copper maybe?

I bet there are joints in there that are soldered together. They will liquefy at cure temps. Better use a low cure powder...