Changing rollbar finish

[don356]

I searched unsuccessfully for any solutions, but i apologize in advance if this have been covered before as i didn't see it. A friend purchased a superp cobra which has a chrome rollbard, and he wanted to change it to a flat black finish. Is there any simple solution to this? I know these new matte finish paints that can be removed are pretty amazing, and i asked him if he had used them. Does anyone know if that type finish adheres to chrome?

[601HP]

My roll bar was chrome until 3 years ago. I removed it from the car. Next, I used a piece of course Scotchbrite and roughed the entire surface by hand. The hand-scuffing took possibly 30 minutes.

I then took the roll bar to a powder coater. I chose a satin black color. I actually don't know if my scuffing was adequate or not. The powder coater may have blasted the surface further. I forgot to ask. Anyhow....for $75.00 and a couple days wait, I received a nice looking black roll bar.

For a roll bar I don't recommend painting. Powder coating is far more durable. I have a small powder coat set up at home to coat pieces for myself. I had to farm out the roll bar job 'cause it wouldn't fit in my curing oven.

David

[mickmate]

I like paint, they didn't powder coat many parts in 65. Pretty easy to wipe with a prep, hit with a primer and semi flat black. If it is over smooth chrome it will chip off easily unless as David said it gets a little surface texture.

[jr289]

Plastidip would work well and you or subsequent owner could remove it and go back to chrome if wanted.

[Clayboy]

I did the same as 601HP... took my stainless roll bar off and had it powder coated stain black. Apparently they media blasted it to get a texture first and then powder coated it. IMHO it looks much better.

Bob

[601HP]

Originally Posted by mickmate

I like paint, they didn't powder coat many parts in 65. Pretty easy to wipe with a prep, hit with a primer and semi flat black. If it is over smooth chrome it will chip off easily unless as David said it gets a little surface texture.

The entire frame of my Cobra was powder coated 20 years ago. It still looks great, and there's no rust. You're correct in that the 1960's originals weren't powder coated. So.....given the option, you'd elect to PAINT your Cobra's frame?

I'll be happy to send you photos of my 2004 F350's PAINTED frame. The level of visible rust on this 10 year old truck frame is appalling.

Back to roll bars. Grab a painted roll bar and give your Cobra shove while you're wearing a finger ring. Then go lookin' for the touch up paint.

David

[Pman1961]

I purchased a take-off roll bar from Olthof Racing and had that roll bar powder coated satin black. The chrome finish is removed prior to applying new finish. I paid $200 for the roll bar and $30 for the powder coating. I did not want to powder coat the original roll bar should I not like the look or one day I decide to go back chrome. With black quick jacks and side pipes, I personally like the black better!

[don356]

Thanks for the info. guys, i think we are going to give the plastidip a try. I've seen it used on several occasions in the matte black (which is real close to the pipes) in other applications, and it's looked very good. It's easy enough to take off so it's worth a try as it's the quickest/simplest route.

[cobrakiwi]

I'm with 601 and others, powder coat!