OT--Powder coating

[smitty62]

I know this should probably be under "general discussion" but it doesn't get the traffic like here. I'm seriously thinking of doing some powder coating in a small way. I like to do my research and I'm sure some of you have been involved with this, so how about some discussion? What are the pitfalls I should watch for? Is it tedious? rewarding? a PITA? Much more expensive than beginners are led to believe? Difficult to get good results? Help me out here along with others that may be thinking about trying this. Thanks!

[cwilli84]

Talk to JMANZ69 he has a setup he has been using for a while.

[smitty62]

ttt

[busterwivell]

I've had my setup for a few years. I had to put 220 in the garage, bought a used electric oven, bought the kit from Eastwood, bought a mask, some powder and have been havin' fun ever since. You'll be a pro in no time, it's easy.

[lock]

I recently started. Bought a old used stove and the chicago electric gun. Been getting powders form columbiacoatings.com.

Im very surprised at how easy it is to get nice results. Im still playing with the gun settings and ways to wire up items before coating them but so far eveything has turned out awesome. I need to build a rak or something.

Prep is the hardest part it seems. Would be very easy if you have a small blast cabinet.


Go fot it, you wont be sorry! Im planning to coat tons of my truck parts once I tear it down.

Here is a few pics of what Ive gotten done.

[smitty62]

Sounds good guys! I got an oven given to me to haul it off, but I haven't bought a gun yet--waiting to hear from those that have tried it. Lock--looks like you're on your way--think the mailman will appreciate it?? Any other comments or suggestions anyone?

[busterwivell]

Don't use a gas oven!

[lock]

Well that was the first step then I masked it for smoke flames. I got in a little over my head for my initial test powder coatings but I learned a great deal. I messed up some of the chrome when my high temp tape started melting

[68 Suburban]

The little bit that my powdercoater charges, I just let him handle it.

$5 for each hood hinge

[68 Suburban]

$5 total for both alt. brackets.

[jmanz69]

I have a setup that I use a lot in the summer. I got a free double oven from a guy down the street. Plus I use a radiant propane heater for the bigger parts. I use the Chicago Electric gun. It's a good gun for the beginner. I get consistent results and it's easy to use and clean. Buy your powder from the internet (ebay is good). A place called Pendry Coatings and also Columbia Coatings are good for prices and supplies. The powder must be kept dry and don't let it freeze. It tends to clump. Make sure your air is bone dry, use a disposable water trap at the gun.

I've done alt brackets, upper A-arms, power steering pump brackets, engine covers, valve covers, aluminum intakes, pulleys, and countless small brackets. It's great and a good way to make some extra cash. I do it for my friends who have small parts. I offered to do it for board members if they sent me parts that were ready to be coated (sandblasted and clean). I recommend doing lots of research, find out the best techniques and see how others are doing it. Columbia Coatingshas a good website with lots of tips and the guys there are very helpful.

Good luck and ask on the board if you need any help, I know a few of us are doing it. I've recently gotten into zinc plating. I did a mustang carb for a guy at work and it came out great. Anything to make a buck.

jmanz69

[smitty62]

Jman--would you reccomend a Chicago gun or the one Columbia coating sells? The Columbia is quite a bit more expensive--is it worth it??

[jmanz69]

For a beginner I would go with the Chicago gun. You can find them on ebay reasonable with accessories. The others that Columbia sells are for small production guys. Hobbyists are not going to spend that kind of money. I use the Chicago gun and I like it. It's similar to the Hot Coat gun sold by Eastwood. Almost idiot proof. I thought you could get the Chicago gun from Columbia. That's where I got mine last year. They are very helpful if you have questions. They also send you a little tip sheet with every order.

[smitty62]

Thanks Jman! that's just the kind of info I was looking for!

[lock]

I think columbia is selling the chicago as part of a kit on ebay. I got mine at the local Harbor Freight. They put it onn sale for $59 occasionally and the guy threw in a 2 year warranty with it. Gun works great but I have nothing to compare it to since its the only one Ive used.

[Faster_than_you]

well I guess I am a lucky guy then, my former boss is a good freind of mine, help him out everyonce in a while for things. but I asked him how much he would charge me to powder coat my calipers on my tacoma, he said nothing fauker- your doing it. He said anytime I want to use it I am more than welcome to go to the shop and powder coat for free. wait till he see's me drag in my engine, hahaha.

[72c10step]

Originally posted by lock
Well that was the first step then I masked it for smoke flames. I got in a little over my head for my initial test powder coatings but I learned a great deal. I messed up some of the chrome when my high temp tape started melting

And to think I was about to tell you you should powdercoat some flames onto it

[lock]

Originally posted by 72c10step


And to think I was about to tell you you should powdercoat some flames onto it

I didnt want to completely blind the mailman with all that shine!

[krue]

I have tried it with the Hotcoat gun by Eastwood, but my powder will chip right off, like paint. It isn't tough like the powder coatings I am used to. It does look like the powder has been damp (some clumps). Would this make a difference?

[jmanz69]

water getting mixed into the powder is not a good thing at all. It could make so your powder doesn't adhere to the part like it should. How did you cure it? I had that same problem when I first tried it. I found it was because the metal wasn't getting hot enough to cure the powder to it. It is based on the metal temperature, not the powder melting. That's why it takes so long in an oven. You have to give time for the metal to come up to 400 for 15-20 minutes. That makes the powder stick to it, and it won't flake off. It's a learning experience. If something like that happens, it's because you are doing something wrong. Now, you have to look at your process and see what might have happened. Try a longer cure time in the oven next time. Once I found the source of the problem, I haven't had it again. I would also get some new powder. The Eastwood powder is good, it's pretty much the same as you get anywhere else, but if it's been damp, I would get some more. Eastwood is higher priced for their powder. Look around for a better deal.

[krue]

Thanks, I'll get out there today and try again with some longer oven times.

[jmanz69]

I have also found if you preheat the part to about 300 or so it helps get the condensation out before you coat. That way there won't be any water under your powder.

[krue]

I have to figure out my oven thermostat, the number on the dial and the temp my little oven thermometer shows are two different temps. I am going to use the powder I have to get my oven times down, then I am ordering some powder from Columbia and try that.

[jmanz69]

Always use a second thermometer inside the oven. Then you know the temp. Use that temp, whatever it says and adjust your knob from there. If you are running low, just lengthen your oven time. if you are running hot, shorten it. Also, I leave my parts in the oven until they are cool to room temp. I just open the door about 1/2 way and come back in an hour. I don't want to move them or take a chance on dropping them while they are still fragile. I've done it before, and if you've tried to sandblast powder coating off, you'll know why I take some extra time to be sure it's set. That stuff doesn't want to come off.
Keep us informed. I'm sure there are lots of guys out there that are interested to hear how things are going. When you post what you did wrong, it makes the learning curve for the next guy that much shorter. Also allows us to see different ways of doing things that might or might not work better than what we are doing now.

[krue]

Maybe we should start a thread in FAQ for powder coating. Whatcha think?