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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Powder Coating - A Home How to
Powder Coating - A Home How to
Let me start off by saying how much I HATE to paint. It's the bane of my existence. I'm not very good at it and it makes a mess. So I started looking at options for Powder Coating or PC, while I can't do anything big because of space constraints, I have started to refine the process of doing the small stuff in my garage and it works pretty well. I hope this helps to inspire someone on the board to look into PCing small parts in there garage. The process is pretty cool and not crazy expensive if you want to make a small investment upfront. Of course You can farm this stuff out, but I figure I can save myself some coin and enjoy learning the process while at it. What you need I couple of things you will need are as following. Total cost is ~$400 First step in doing ANY sort of coating is prep, as we all know, good prep work makes good finish work. 1. Sand Blast Cabinet I picked up mine at HF for $150 with a 25% off coupon (http://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-c...net-68893.html) I use Garnet for blast media ($15 a 50lb bag) and had to pick up some odd plumbing pieces to change up the direction of the air inlet ($10). Many guys, myself included also add a new light to the cabinet. the supplied light is less than to be desired. Note... You must have Dry Air and a lot of it to run one of these. I have a 80 gallon compressor and dryer/filter that does a pretty good job of running this guy. Also requires a dust system of some sort. A shop-vac works great! 2. Oven DO NOT USE YOUR WIFES OVEN!!!!!!! WHEN YOU BAKE THE POWDER THE FUMES MAKE THE OVEN TOXIC FOR FOOD!!!! MUST USE A SEPARATE OVEN AND IT SHOULD BE IN THE GARAGE WITH THE DOOR OPEN I got mine for a whopping $FREE.99. (Found someone who got new appliance, I took the old oven off of there hands. I have even seen people build their own. All we need is a temperature of 400 for 20 minutes. Let's say you have to pick one up off of CL for $100. (The burners make great heat sources for heating up seized small parts like door hinges. Here is my setup. I built a stand for my cabinet because it's hard on my back to bend over. It's 5" to short for me to be comfortable, so I made it work for me! ![]() PC Gun Once again HF comes to the rescue. Powder Coating Gun ($70) ![]() http://www.harborfreight.com/10-30-p...tem-94244.html Once again, must have DRY air. This system works Ok, uses more powder than desirable, but it's not to bad. As far as powder goes, HF sells 3 or 4 colors, not enough. Although I have used the red and the black. The black they sell is flat, so for gloss black you have to get it from a few places that sell in small quantities. Eastwood sells powder and they have MANY choices. http://www.eastwood.com/paints/hotco...g/powders.html or another company I know of is Powder by the Pound https://www.powderbuythepound.com/ A lb. of powder goes pretty far when you are doing small stuff like this. Powder goes anywhere from $5.00 to $20. and beyond. So you want to get a few different colors let's say you spend about $40. Process Step 1 - Prep This is where the blast cabinet comes in really well. Throw the parts in the cabinet and blast away. Make sure you get it REALLY CLEAN! All the rust and paint must be stripped or it will cause problems later. Took this guy apart because I was rebuilding them. Here is both sets of the hinges after blasting. This it what you are looking for. Once you get this far, slip on some latex gloves and wipe down your parts with acetone and a clean lint free rag. This helps get a really nice and clean part. Must get all the oils from your hands and the residual blasting dust off the parts before coating. If you need to mask any threads or toleranced holes, make sure you use tape that is rated for 400 degrees or higher. Like this ( ![]() ![]() http://www.eastwood.com/high-temp-si...FywaAnfw8P8HAQ Step 2 - Coat and bake Tip... You can also preheat the part for about 20 minutes to help with powder transfer. You don't have to do this, but it helps. I use two sawhorses space apart just so the oven rack sits on either side. This is not a great setup and it's not easy to coat. I'm working on building a rack that will work a bit better. I'll update those pictures later. I forgot to take pictures of this step, but I get some when I get home later. SAFETY NOTE Wear a mask as minimum. Powder is not good for the lungs. Set your compressor to about 15-20psi and fill the powder cup with your color of choice. Set the oven to 400 degrese and let it heat up while you coat your parts. Hange your new cleaned parts with thin wire from the oven rack. *wire must be able to conduct electricity since this is an electrostatic process.* Connect the ground wire to the oven rack and spray away. Make sure you get everything coated evenly and fully covered. Carefully move the coated parts to the oven and set your timer to 20 minuets (most powders cure time. Check the manufacturer's specs for slight changes.) Step 3 - Wait ![]() Once the 20 minutes is up, pull the rack out of the oven. I use my welding gloves, I like them better than cooking mitts. Once the part is cool enough to touch, it is ready to be used or reassembled. ![]()
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 Last edited by texasld; 12-29-2014 at 03:36 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Here are some pictures of some stuff I have done recently. Excuse the phone pictures.
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: oklahoma city, oklahoma
Posts: 166
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Looks nice! I've been wanting a setup like this for a while.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Jose Ca
Posts: 2,871
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
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David Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991 My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985 Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557 Instagram: myfabguy |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Farmville, Va
Posts: 3,026
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
I have seen some very good at home jobs, seems to be limited to the size of the oven.
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#6 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Quote:
Quote:
That's always the problem, but I figure I can save myself a fortune on the small stuff and just farm out the big stuff! I did my upper and lower control arms and I had to do one at a time. But that is about as big as it gets.
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Salado, Texas
Posts: 1,418
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Sweet write up. This could save a bunch of money for the small stuff.
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Just trying to figure this out... 1970 SWB Step-Side http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=552980 1970 LWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584499 1970 SWB One Owner Step Side 6.0 LY6/6L90 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617630 Junkyard's 1971 short wide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...86#post7531186 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Thanks bud, Just trying to give back for the knowledge I have gained through the board!
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Brighton, CO
Posts: 19
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Hey texasld - I have the exact same setup as you and have only done the black color so far. That **** gets everywhere on the gun due to static so I was wondering if you had any problems when you switched to red or if you had to do anything special beforehand? Thanks
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Brighton, CO
Posts: 19
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Also I have learned that a piece of chain spread apart like a clothes line works best to hang parts from to coat. You can also connect your ground clamp to it for smaller parts. I use the thin chain like on a child's swing set.
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#11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Nice write up. Thank your for sharing. Im going to add this to the Faq/stickies at the top of the page so its easy to find.
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Quote:
Oh yea, good Idea. I love the fact that you can share info so Quick and easy through the board.
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Hey, that's cool! Thanks man!
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: vernon b.c.
Posts: 3,022
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
I always wondered if a toaster oven would work,they seem to get pretty hot.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
As long as they can reach and hold 400 (Most do), you will have no problem. Just limits what you can do.
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Brighton, CO
Posts: 19
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Thanks for the reply!
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
No problem! By the way, welcome to the board if no one else has yet.
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 474
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
A few tips to add: 1) If powder coating cast steel or Aluminum be sure to out gas in the over first at 400degs for at least 30mins.. This opens the pores and burns off any oils left behind, if not done it will ruin your powder job. 2) Never use glass bead to sandblast aluminum that is to be powder coated. Glass bead will impregnate the aluminum and pop under your powder coat when heated making it look like pimples. I use aluminum oxide for blasting.
Quote:
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,048
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Nice write up- definetly getting a CL oven soon
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72 Cheyenne SWB C10 (daily driver) (Super fake cause I just love the glovebox emblem) 70 Camaro RS (frame-off in pieces) 70 Camaro RS (daily driver backup) 69 Custom LWB C10 (son now drives) |
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#20 |
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Melville, SK
Posts: 1,145
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
I knew of all forums I visit that this one would be most likely to have somebody with one of these hobby powder coating systems. I've been thinking of buying one from Eastwood. It would be of some use to me on my truck project, but I'm thinking that it would be beneficial for another hobby I'm trying to get into: refurbishing goalie masks. I think having the ability to powder coat the cages would be great to compliment the paint job.
Could any of you take a guesstimate of how much powder something like a goalie mask cage would require?
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2004 Silverado - Beater 1969 GMC - In progress http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=441683 2011 Aveo - Work commuter 2013 Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 - The reason no work gets done on the project truck. |
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Quote:
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1969 ![]() 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver) 1999 Jeep TJ 2010 Harley Street Glide Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981 |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Melville, SK
Posts: 1,145
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Awesome, thanks!
I was kind of on the fence about the idea, but at this point I am going to need 2 or 3 cages painted for myself at some point, maybe more. Without anyone close that powder coats I'd be making special trips or shipping, so I think purchasing one of these kits will pay for itself. Too bad I didn't decide to buy one a few years ago before our Canadian dollar turned into a turd ![]()
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2004 Silverado - Beater 1969 GMC - In progress http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=441683 2011 Aveo - Work commuter 2013 Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 - The reason no work gets done on the project truck. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1,644
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
awesome write up. i already have the oven in the shop for this reason.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: somewhere . . .
Posts: 955
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
I ll be looking into this in the near future ...
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dont want to hear excuses, i want to hear solution(s) |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Genoa, West Virginia
Posts: 36
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Re: Powder Coating - A Home How to
Great write up, I have been powder coating for several years now and It saves a lot of money after time. I had the opportunity to travel to columbia tennessee and attend a 3 day powder coating class given by a company called columbia coatings. They are very knowledgable and friendly people and they sell top notch equipment and powders. One thing to keep in mind when ordering powder is to make sure they are selling you virgin powder, some companies will offer used powder that has been reclaimed and if your not careful it will have impurities that will show up in your powder. Columbia coatings has a gun that has a patent pending nozzle that will charge the powder without charging the part that will virtually eliminate faraday caging and if your piece can handle the temperature it can be powder coated. Ive personally powder coated wood and glass. here is a few items that ive coated in the last few weeks.
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powder, powdercoat, powdercoating, sandblasting |
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