Powder coating baffles?

mr_happyland

mr_happyland

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mr_happyland
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The engine on my Grumman Tiger is currently being overhauled. My mechanic asked me if I wanted to powder coat my baffles...estimated cost @ $500. I must admit...from pictures of other powder coated baffles they do look nice...but the pictures are always from shiny, newly ovehauled engines. Curious what the hive mind thinks. Worth it? Do they maintain their nice look over time? Any additional upsides besides looking good? Downsides?
 
One downside would be not selecting the proper heat rated coating. I wouldn’t expect baffles to get hot during flight, but during ground run and after shutdown. That’s all I got.
 
I wouldn't do it just for looks.
I might go for it when going with new?
At the very least get them steamed cleaned before you install them on a fresh engine.
Then you can give them a good inspection.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
One downside would be not selecting the proper heat rated coating. I wouldn’t expect baffles to get hot during flight, but during ground run and after shutdown. That’s all I got.
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Most powder coat paints require curing in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. That shouldn’t be an issue for normal operation. I don’t know how the mechanic plans to do this but it would seem wise to remove the flexible baffle material and replace with new while you’re at it
 
If you are overhauling your 360, $500 is pennies. I would do it.
It will make you happy every time you open your cowl.
 
Having been down this road, I’d look into DLC or TiN
 
I wouldn't bother. Corrosion isn't the issue with baffles. I'm sure it looks nice, but how often are you under the cowl? I don't see any advantage other than looks.
 
Timbeck2 said:
Most powder coat paints require curing in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. That shouldn’t be an issue for normal operation. I don’t know how the mechanic plans to do this but it would seem wise to remove the flexible baffle material and replace with new while you’re at it
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Exactly, what's your mechanic plan for the flexible baffles?
They would have to be removed before coating.

Not a big fan of powder coat, have seen it lift from improperly prepared surfaces. Not very good for high vibration applications.
 
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Timbeck2 said:
Most powder coat paints require curing in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. That shouldn’t be an issue for normal operation. I don’t know how the mechanic plans to do this but it would seem wise to remove the flexible baffle material and replace with new while you’re at it
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He sends them out to somebody. I’ve seen their work on other engines at his shop and they look great.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
If you are overhauling your 360, $500 is pennies. I would do it.
It will make you happy every time you open your cowl.
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It’s the classic “while you’re in there you might as well change (fill in the blank). I already said no to his suggestion of adding a powerflow. As much as I’d like to, my bank account disagrees.
 
Gary Ward said:
Exactly, what's your you're mechanic plan for the flexible baffles?
They would have to be removed before coating.

Not a big fan of powder coat, have seen it lift from improperly prepared surfaces.
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You referring to the baffle seals? Those will be replaced with new.
 
mr_happyland said:
You referring to the baffle seals? Those will be replaced with new.
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Which ones?
If you go powder coat on the aluminum baffles then go with McaFarlane anti friction baffles seals. They are premium priced for a reason.
Premium powder coated baffles deserve premium flexible seals.

The McFarlane premium baffles seals do work, reduce vibration to your cowl.
 
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Jim K said:
I'm sure it looks nice, but how often are you under the cowl?
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@mr_happyland flies a Grumman, so (hopefully!) before every flight.

One of the planes I fly has the same type of gull wing style flip-up cowling. It also has powder coated baffles, wrinkle-finished and color-coordinated with the rest of the bits forward of the firewall. Yes, it sure looks nice even after being in there for the past 13 years. Cleans up easily and doesn't show fingerprints.
 
asicer said:
@mr_happyland flies a Grumman, so (hopefully!) before every flight.

One of the planes I fly has the same type of gull wing style flip-up cowling. It also has powder coated baffles, wrinkle-finished and color-coordinated with the rest of the bits forward of the firewall. Yes, it sure looks nice even after being in there for the past 13 years. Cleans up easily and doesn't show fingerprints.
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You brought up something that I wasn't thinking about. I'm so used to opening the cowling before every flight that it's easy to forget that most people rarely look inside their engine compartment. Good to hear it's still looking good all these years later.
 
asicer said:
@mr_happyland flies a Grumman, so (hopefully!) before every flight.

One of the planes I fly has the same type of gull wing style flip-up cowling. It also has powder coated baffles, wrinkle-finished and color-coordinated with the rest of the bits forward of the firewall. Yes, it sure looks nice even after being in there for the past 13 years. Cleans up easily and doesn't show fingerprints.
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Ahh...I was unaware that the Grumman had a hinged hood. I suppose that might change the math a little. Personally I think I'd still skip it. That said, I'm painting my new engine red & black for the 4 times a year I'll see it.
 
My baffles and intake duct are zinc chromated?. I like the look better than bare Al and also the afforded corrosion protection.

IMG_5920.jpg
 
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IYKYK. Most don’t. I powder coated everything I could, including baffles, heat boxes, fuel pump cooler boxes…. The engine mount is powder coated, too. So is the airframe, instrument panel…. It works great. Better than paint and doesn’t get dull and corroded like bare aluminum will.
 

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Spending $500 on powdercoat seems a bit of a waste for something rarely seen. If you just want them a solid color then drop by the auto store and buy any high temp engine paint in a spray can that you like. If it gets scratches/chips you can just give it a quick touch up.
 
kmacht said:
Spending $500 on powdercoat seems a bit of a waste for something rarely seen. If you just want them a solid color then drop by the auto store and buy any high temp engine paint in a spray can that you like. If it gets scratches/chips you can just give it a quick touch up.
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On the other hand, I'm amazed at the poor appearance of the engine and associated components in the photos some post. Cleaning and neatness have been neglected for a long time.
 
Just an update to this thread…
I finally got my new engine back and had decided to spring for the powder coating. 100% glad that I did. The baffles looks great!!
 

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mr_happyland said:
Just an update to this thread…
I finally got my new engine back and had decided to spring for the powder coating. 100% glad that I did. The baffles looks great!!
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They do look nice. Engine is beautiful, too. Did you pick the color? Super clean engine compartment.
 
Jim K said:
They do look nice. Engine is beautiful, too. Did you pick the color? Super clean engine compartment.
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Thx! I just told him to make it look nice :)
My mechanic spent some time cleaning up the wiring…it def makes the compartment clean and organized.
 
Trust me…that’s near the top of the list. It’s gonna take awhile to recuperate from the cost of this engine though haha.
 
mr_happyland said:
It ended up being $375, and I will gladly continue to complain about prices :) This option was pocket change compared to what overhauling and installing an engine costs.
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The money you've spent under the cowling will be returned for years in reduced maintenance costs. It's the cleanest I've seen in a while.
 
A $500 solution for a $10 (high temp engine paint).

Ok, but you forever give up your right to complain about how expensive flying and MX is.
 
pfarber said:
A $500 solution for a $10 (high temp engine paint).

Ok, but you forever give up your right to complain about how expensive flying and MX is.
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Too many airplanes are maintained with the rattlecan method of repair. Considering the expense and time of removing and replacing the baffles for recoating, along with the excellent possibility the surface prep for painting would have been defective and caused early failure, the OP's $375 expenditure was a rational and proper decision.
 
I prefer bare aluminum baffles. Easier to keep clean and spot cracks. But I endorse the OP's choice to do whatever he likes and 100% agree with the wisdom of keeping the engine area as clean as possible.
 
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