Striving to not only meet but exceed
your expectations in every way,
Thank you for choosing to CONTACT PSC!

30x40 shop

PHOENIX SPECIALTY COATINGS

157 Kimery Store Road
Greenfield, TN 38230
731-613-9192

 
Telephone Hours
10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Central U.S. Time

This is a busy shop.
Billy and I are frequently on the phone.
Leaving a message if you reach the machine will ensure you'll enjoy the same terrific customer service I was doling out to the other caller.



 Extended Telephone Hours for your convenience!

Shop Hours
By Appointment Only
... but often available on short notice!  Call me if you're cruising by on 45E / Highway 445 in northwest Tennessee.
The ankle chain to my work bench isn't very long.  << wink >>

ALL CUSTOMERS are encouraged to Open, READ and Save / Print this "Powder Coating Care Sheet." 

• A gentle car wash soap combined with bare clean hands will keep your masterpiece looking new for decades. 
  
• Please retain the .pdf file above for particulars concerning installation and your specific parts.
  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Leanna Johnson and her 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback

Please ask for me at any time between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. (Central U.S.) at 731-613-9192 to discuss the details of your project or brainstorm on some ideas. 

It's what I'm here for!

Billy is frequently on the phone (more than a teenage girl) so leave a message if you get the machine.

Leanna ~ The CudaChick
Mistress of Metal

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I founded Phoenix Specialty Coatings with Billy Lee on May 31, 2007 and have operated it ever since.

Billy has focused mainly on his personal projects and engines since 2009. He's there when I need his help!

I am the one who will respond to your questions on the phone or through email, give you a quote, inspect your parts upon arrival.  I will personally do all work required to achieve and surpass your expectations, pack it up safely and then ship it home to you when it’s done. 

My primary mission is to give you the exceptional and exquisite results you expect and deserve at the most reasonable cost I can.  As a gearhead myself, I know every dollar you don’t spend here can be devoted to something else ... for your car, or groceries, or fuel, or even your daughter’s dance lessons.

I was an enthusiast, a gearhead and a restorer long before I was ever a business owner.  I'm in this for the love, the passion, the hobby itself, and to keep our beloved babies on the road for a few more generations to enjoy.

From many years of experience on my own and customers’ parts, I have assembled the Frequently Asked Questions below to more personally acquaint you with the shop and to provide a general overview of what you may expect upon retaining PSC for your metal restoration and customization needs.

WHAT IS POWDER COATING?
Chances are good that if you’ve found this website, then you are already well aware of the many benefits of powder over paint including its durability, beauty, versatility, and minimal environmental impact. 
To learn more about the basics of the industry, please refer to the leading experts in the field at The Powder Coating Institute.
 
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Would you be surprised to learn most jobs fall in the $300 - $1000 range?
Yes, even the most wild, wickedly custom concoctions and entire dress up packages.

• PSC bills at $55.00 per labor hour plus the actual cost of powder and other materials consumed. 
  
• Invoices are broken down into several categories so you can see at a glance how your dollars were spent (i.e., blasting, metal work, parts / equipment cleaning, powder coating, polishing, etc.). 
• Labor time is never ‘rounded up’ to the nearest hour; rather, it is recorded in as little as 3-minute increments depending on the task.
• You pay only for the labor time devoted to working on your parts. 
• Time spent outgassing (to remove impurities and trapped air in the metal) and curing is on the house!

• Every job is quoted individually to be fair to everyone.  Some projects need a lot more time while others do not, and I have learned that “flat rate pricing” penalizes good customers a lot more than it benefits them.

• It is very difficult to provide an estimate / quote without good close up photos of YOUR METAL.  “Stock” manufacturer’s images you find online or generic line drawings do not really help me to give you an accurate estimate. Renderings of your idea are welcome!
• Close up pictures of any dings / dents / damage / excess casting flash / pitting / heavy rust or oxidation / chipped or broken areas / missing metal / etc., will assist me in evaluating the total cost much better than a couple shots taken from two or three feet away. 
• My own close up "before photos" on this website will show you the things that catch my eye while I evaluate your job cost.
• Multi-color powder coating work in particular needs clean, crisp lines. 
• Restoration / metal work is absolutely crucial to achieve “three-inch results,” and is required in most cases.  Without it, color breaks and logos end up looking fuzzy, sloppy and amateurish.
• Some projects can be completed in just a few hours while others requiring more bodywork and/or more complex color schemes may need a lot more. 
• Without seeing good close up photos of your parts and having a good overview of your desired color scheme, I am merely guessing what your job will entail rather than accurately estimating it!
• Excessive blasting (i.e., old epoxy paint) and heavy cleaning (such as three inches of road grime crusted onto your transmission pan) are charged at $110.00 per hour in my discretion.  The cleaner your metal is on arrival, the less time and effort it will take to prepare.  Spending a few minutes cleaning or even blasting your parts before you ship them can translate into big savings on your invoice.

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM MY LOCAL GUY?

• Unlike other coating shops who merely blast, color and return what you present to them ‘as is,’ I do my best to get your metal as close to perfect as possible before any powder is applied. 
• Every step necessary to transform it into a work of art we can both be proud of will be undertaken unless you instruct me to the contrary ahead of time.  (Leaving casting flash and manufacturing defects intact is sometimes desired especially by those customers who seek a factory-style restoration.  Just be sure to tell me first or I’ll get rid of it.) 
• The vast majority of my work is on cast aluminum. 
• I use air tools where I can to save time and effort but a great deal of my detail work is done with mini / riffler files and carbide bits. 
• My techniques have been perfected such that you may be able to tell I did a lot of work ... but will see little or no evidence of it at all such as grinder marks.

People contact me about custom valve covers and air cleaner assemblies more than anything else. 

• With few exceptions, brand new metal most especially needs a lot of clean up -- spider-webbing between the lettering, casting flaws, rough edges on fins, dings or missing metal -- due to the imperfect sand casting molds or dies in which the parts are formed.   
• This is what they inevitably look like up close – where it matters. 
• The payoff for the metal work is evident in my results.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

• Turn around time varies greatly depending on how many jobs are in line ahead of yours. 
• Summer is a bit slower but Fall and Winter are my Really Busy Season.
• The nature of custom work – what I do more than anything else – requires additional time to prepare and complete than a big box of gloss black brackets for instance. 
• On average, 2 to 5 months is a reasonable expectation.
• PSC has multiple projects in line at any given time (even during the summer “slow season”). 
• Fact is, there has been something to do every day since way back in 2009. 
• My customers are all working on different build schedules, some shorter than others. 
• Rushes and shorter deadlines can often be accommodated though so don’t hesitate to ask! 
• I have maintained a calendar of Customer Due Dates since the outset and do everything within my power to not only accommodate but meet or beat your deadline.

 

DO YOU SUPPLY THE PARTS OR DO I?

• On occasion, customers will offer extra parts as an offset on their bill (a “trade in” if you will) but most people ship their own used or new parts here to be customized and/or restored. 
• Others purchase online and have it shipped directly from the seller/manufacturer to my shop, a great way to save money. 
• What I have in my personal stash varies at all times so it’s best to call me, or purchase or provide your own parts.

 
DO I HAVE TO SEND BRAND NEW PARTS?

NO!!  You can save a serious amount of money purchasing used parts versus buying brand new pieces. 

• The metal quality and castings are often much better in vintage parts than what is available now.  Old nasty beat up stuff can look just as good – and often better – and cost much less than brand new parts simply because of metal and casting quality alone.  (See the close up photographs of bare brand new metal above for better illustration.)
• I encourage you to shop FaceBook Marketplace, Craig’s List, Amazon, eBay, online classifieds / forums, online enthusiast groups / pages, etc., rather than buying brand new parts from a manufacturer or aftermarket supplier.  (If you do have to purchase parts either new or used, see the section “I Have to Buy Parts.  What Should I Get?” for several important time- and money-saving tips.)
• You can have your internet / supplier purchases shipped direct to PSC too and save a leg on the shipping costs.  As long as you advise me ahead of time, or the seller / supplier properly marks the box or contents to identify and contact who it belongs to, that’s all I need to know. 
• Any specialized modifications / clearances should be done before you ship parts, but knock-outs for PCV grommets, notching for aftermarket intake manifolds, thread inserts, etc., can be accomplished here on your behalf.  You and I will work intimately together to make sure the parts you send me are perfect for your ride in every respect, and the more information and measurements I have at the outset the better the results will be.

 
I HAVE TO BUY PARTS.  WHAT SHOULD I GET?

• Purchasing bare, “as cast,” “natural finish” pieces or factory polished metal can save you literally hundreds of dollars in stripping / blasting charges.
• Bare, unfinished parts also cost less at the outset when you purchase them from an aftermarket supplier since the place doesn't have to use its finishing line. 
• NOTE:  Bare parts such as those described in this section might not show up on their website or catalog but are often available if you call the place and ask.
• It isn’t unusual to devote several hours to blasting off that thick paint the factories like to use … and then spend even more labor hours on bodywork cleaning up all the nasty casting flaws and defects that factory paint was hiding.
• There is NO benefit in purchasing metal that was previously painted or powdered at the factory if you’re going to get it powder coated here. 
• Any existing finish must be completely removed down to bare metal anyway so paying for a factory paint/powder job simply increases your customization / restoration costs and can slow down the entire prep process. 
• If your part(s) exceeds five feet in length, it can often benefit you greatly to have it initially blasted in your local area before shipping it to me. 
• Any ‘flash rust’ that occurs in the meantime is not a cause for worry, as the pieces will have to be lightly blasted again after all my bodywork is done anyway. 
• Getting the majority of the heavy blasting done in your local area first – especially if there’s a lot of paint or surface area  -- will save me time which translates into saving you money.)
• Any specialized modifications / clearances should be done before you ship parts, but knock-outs for PCV grommets, notching for aftermarket intake manifolds, thread inserts, etc., can be accomplished here on your behalf.  You and I will work intimately together to make sure the parts you send me are perfect for your ride in every respect, and the more information and measurements I have at the outset the better the results will be.

 
HOW BIG IS YOUR OVEN and BLAST EQUIPMENT?

• My large batch oven is 7 feet tall, 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep. 
• Parts measuring up to 6’9” can usually be accommodated. (Dash frames, rear end housings, motorcycle frames, etc.)
• Although the chairs from your wrought iron outdoor set inherited from your grandma may fit, your table likely will not.
• PSC’s Skat Blast™ media blasting cabinet is 5 feet long. Any parts that exceed the size of the blast cabinet will have to be prepared outside of it which can result in substantial additional charges. 
• If your part(s) exceeds five feet in length, it can often benefit you greatly to have it initially blasted in your local area before shipping it to me.  Any ‘flash rust’ that occurs in the meantime is not a cause for worry, as the pieces will have to be lightly blasted again after all my bodywork is done anyway. 
• Getting the majority of the heavy blasting done in your local area first – especially if there’s a lot of paint or surface area  -- will save me time which translates into saving you money.

 HOW CAN I KEEP MY COSTS DOWN?

• Send clean parts!!  Any labor time that isn’t devoted to scraping Indian Head and old cork off your gasket rails, inches of grime off the insides of your valve covers or washing out your transmission pan can be devoted to other prep work and earn you a faster turn around time. 
• If you're set up to blast your own parts, that too saves me time so it saves you money. 
• The less time it takes me to accomplish your goals, the less your bill will be.
• Be sure to mention your Branch of Service and tell me how you first heard about PSC in your letter accompanying your parts.  I offer a substantial 12% labor discount to U.S. Military (enlisted / retired / Veterans) and a labor discount to members of certain online message boards / forums.  I DO NOT ADVERTISE FORMALLY ANYWHERE, instead relying on word of mouth, those people who stumble on the website, or who were referred to PSC by an existing customer.
• Read through the FAQ section “I Have To Buy Parts.  What Should I Get?” above for helpful tips on reducing prep work to save money. 
• More tips throughout each section will help you save even more.

 
I’VE DECIDED TO HIRE YOU!  WHAT DO I DO NOW?

1. You are first invited to Request a Quote but it is not necessary.
2. Call or write to me so we can get a bit acquainted.  I want to know about your car, motorcycle or art project and get a feel for what you’re trying to accomplish in retaining me.  I’m a motorhead and an artist who truly loves this stuff!  Above all else, I want to take the picture you have in your head and put it on your parts, plain and simple.  Good communication between us is key and an outline of Your Plan will help me not only visualize your goals but turn them into reality.
3. Find a box with a Certified Edge Crush Label (usually on the bottom) that is sufficient for the weight of your item(s) AND is at least 3 inches larger on ALL SIDES than the part(s) you are shipping.  The proper label will be circular, contain the box manufacturer's name, the edge crush rating and weight limitations, and other information.  (I will most likely return your parts to you in the same box and reuse / supplement your cushioning and packing materials to keep my overhead down.)
4. Wrap the item(s) and pack the box well.  Pointy or sharp edges, brackets, loose hardware, and anything that can shift and poke through the box during transit should be cushioned separately.   Hardware especially tends to get lost along the way and survives long trips better when it is secured in a plastic bag. Please DO NOT tape anything to your metal.
5. Use plenty of sufficient packaging material to completely fill up the box and help to ensure that your items arrive here intact.  Anything less can and will likely result in damage; it can also serve as the basis for your chosen shipper to deny your insurance damage claim later.  Cardboard cartons used for worldwide shipments are insurable while most manufacturers’ packaging – such as the box your new printer, box fan or floor jack came in – may not be.  Make sure it has an Edge Crush Label (see #2 above)! 
6. Include a note or a letter with your name, mailing address, telephone number(s), and email address. 
7. In your letter or note, briefly outline your desired goals including the color scheme, any necessary modifications to the metal (such as a PCV grommet opening), any special polishing you desire, when you need the finished job back, and how you heard about my shop.  (See “How Can I Keep My Costs Down?” for more details on PSC Discounts.) 
8. If you’re sending a large box of varied parts, a separate contents list is also beneficial, especially if they are not all going to be the same color. 
9. Please do not rely on my memory if we have only spoken over the telephone.  I talk with a lot of people and cannot have a crystal clear recollection of every discussion and color scheme. 
10. Having your ideas in writing right there at my bench is most helpful.  (I will of course contact you if I have questions about anything though.)
11. You can Paypal me or include an advance deposit in the box if you wish -- it is appreciated -- although it is not required in most cases.  If I indicated during our first chat that I will be ordering a special powder for you, an advance deposit for costs and materials is required ($50-100).
12. Now pick up your box and shake it as hard as you can.  If you hear or feel anything moving, open it and repack it again until you don’t.  Although I will love your metal as much as you do, please note that it will be at the mercy of others who don’t care at all during transit.  Your shipment will endure rough handling, conveyor belts, airplane rides, and even tired, disgruntled shipping company employees who will not care as much as we do if at all. (If you have any doubt about this, check out the hundreds of related videos of closed circuit cameras detailing shipping company mishaps on YouTube or watch the beginning of Ace Ventura, Pet Detective.)
13. Arrange for shipping to Phoenix Specialty Coatings, 157 Kimery Store Road, Greenfield, TN 38230.
14. It is strongly encouraged that your shipment be sent via traceable means (UPS, FedEx, US Postal Service Priority Mail, etc.) or other method that issues a tracking number.  I recommend insuring the box for the amount you would expect to pay to replace the contents on the open market.  UPS typically offers $100 in free insurance whereas other shippers may not. Upon my receipt of your shipment, you will be notified and kept apprised as progress occurs through emails and/or phone calls.  (You won’t hear about progress from me immediately, but once I have your parts on my bench you will hear from me a lot until they are finished.)

 
WHY IS IT NAMED PHOENIX SPECIALTY WHEN YOU'RE IN TENNESSEE?

Simply put, our place was nearly wiped out by two tornadoes during Hurricane Katrina (Luling, Louisiana).  Rising from devastation in a new place, it is named it for the mythical reborn Phoenix aspect rather than logistics.  Check out the About Us page to learn more.

DO YOU SELL GIFT CARDS?

Yes!  PSC Gift Certificates are available in ANY amount you choose!  Just use the convenient Paypal.me/CudaChick/ link and fill in the amount.  Your Gift Certificate can be mailed to you or sent as a prepared file you can print at home at your option.  State your preference in the Notes / Comments section on the Paypal form.  A Paypal account is NOT REQUIRED.

DO YOU DO CHROME?
No. 

• However, there are Chrome Replica Powders available today that replicate a chrome look pretty well (see the examples elsewhere on the website). 
• Electing to use a chrome-replica powder versus polishing or a true, triple-plated rechroming service will provide a similar look from a few feet away while saving a substantial amount of money. 
• Please note though with current formulations (Sept. 2022), you will not get a true mirror-like reflective finish with chrome powder as you will with a well done 'real chrome' job though. 

"How Chrome-y Is It?"

• My ‘Standard Chick Answer’ is that you can kind of see yourself a bit in the powdered finish but you won’t be able to tell if you have a blackhead or not.
• The mirror-like detail of real chrome is rarely replicated in chrome replica powders.
• It can be a very affordable alternative for those who are unconcerned about having a mirror finish.

 
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Phoenix Specialty Coatings opened its doors on May 31, 2007. 
See the About Us page for more details on our history, to learn about the owners and our own projects, meet the shop mascots, check out my Customer Appreciation Gifts and Swag, and meet Our Friends!
 
CAN YOU COAT MY HEADERS / EXHAUST MANIFOLDS?
PSC no longer performs high temperature ceramic coatings.  Please shop elsewhere.
 
I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS …
Just call me!  I’m available between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. by telephone every day (yes, even on most weekends).  The shop number is 731-613-9192.  I’m always happy to help … because I wouldn’t be doing this job I love so much without YOU.

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Your business -- and your confidence in my abilities -- is more valuable to me than words can convey. 
It is not taken lightly or for granted.

I was raised by parents who instilled the belief that
"Integrity is What You Do When No One Is Looking."

I may not tell you what you want to hear but it will inevitably be the TRUTH.

I still believe in true Customer Service and Professionalism, and will do everything
in my power to make your experience the best one it can be every step of the way.

I Look Forward to Working With You!

Please give me a call or shoot me an email and let's turn your vision into reality!

Leanna ~ The CudaChick
Owner/Operator
731-613-9192

For a more accurate quote and money-saving ideas, review the FAQ Section
above before getting in touch!!!

Email Leanna at
PhoenixSpecialtyCoatings@yahoo.com
or fill out the Contact Form below
 


Please ship your parts to:


PHOENIX SPECIALTY COATINGS 
157 Kimery Store Road
Greenfield, TN  38230

PSC carries a Commercial Designation for shipping purposes but does not have a loading dock on site.

PSC accepts personal checks from out-of-state customers as well as U.S. Postal Service Money Orders, PayPal, and most major credit cards (through Paypal).

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR
METAL FINISHING COSTS!
Before boxing up your parts, see the Frequently Asked Questions above and the
Pricing & Shipping / Special Discounts
tab for tons of important information!

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Schedule an appointment if you'll be in the area!

Look for our custom mailbox ... you can see it from Highway 45E!

 
PSC is conveniently located a half block west of Highway 45E / 445 (near the Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area) between Milan and Martin, Tennessee.
Look for the custom mail box.

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Feel free to manhandle the samples ...

1968 Joe Mondello Oldsmobile 455 with PSC custom coating throughout

... check out the personal hot rods, projects,
Powder Porn in progress and display motors.

I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE!

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Due to differences in monitor settings, it is impossible
to accurately depict powder colors on any website.  

The work quality is obvious with the extreme close up photos and click-to-enlarge feature throughout the site ... but if you are considering unusual or custom colors or trying to match an existing item, I strongly recommend that you include a color sample or request color swatches prior to shipping us your parts!

My main supplier, Prismatic Powders in Oregon, can send swatches of the powders that caught your eye here,
as well as a few similar ones to compare. Click "Shop Colors" for details at PrismaticPowders.com.

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