powder coating

[halicat]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience powder coating.

I have ordered the equipment and was hoping someone has done it and can give me a few pointers or tips before I experiment on my own....

any help would be awesome...!

[Kruisin Kat]

Jim, I haven't done it personally but I believe the powder adheres to the object using an electrical current and then you must bake the object in an oven to melt the powder for it to flow together and harden to the object.

I saw this done a while back in a plant that made automotive parts. I'm not sure of all the steps that the object needs to go through.

[halicat]

Thanks Paul,

I have looked at the Eastwood site and they have a video demonstration on it... it just looked so easy I thought there must be a catch...

my intention for the powder coating is to do the inner barrels of the wheels. I ordered a reflective chrome powder that you can clear coat over and it looks awesome. then I'm going to pick away at a few of the brackets and stuff that is east to get to under the hood. those 4 braces and some of the easy to get to stuff. they have a hi-temp stuff that is good for headers and stuff. then if it works well, I'll try to do the a-arms in black....

[Kruisin Kat]

Jim, you must have a BIG oven!

[halicat]

not yet...

I'm looking for one... the 20" (21.5") rims will just fit in a large stove, I've got to work on the long braces....they are 31.5 " long, might have to go to the Pizza place....lol

[TooHipCat]

I have looked at the Eastwood site and they have a video demonstration on it... it just looked so easy I thought there must be a catch...



They do make a good product Jim! :tu:

I would try it on a few items first to see if they stand the test of time.JMO

[Jim S]

Jim, I have done some powder coating on some parts we fabricate from time to time. Really not that hard, if you pay attention. I bought an old oven to use the first time I did it. There is a very good forum here http://forum.caswellplating.com/ that you should find useful. I bought my current system from Caswell, but the first one was identical to the system Sears sales now.

I normally use a local powder coater, but last year they upped there minimum to where it just didn't make sense for the occaisonal small piece, so we do it in our shop. Didn't look at the Eastwood system you bought, but my guess is it's identical to the Sears.

Look at Caswell's site http://caswellplating.com/ and they have a great selection of colors to choose from. Just remember, it has to be clean.



Jim

[halicat]

Hey Jim,


Great links are super info....

I thought for the price of it I could so all my own stuff , when i wanted and save a few bucks. I got it mostly to do the inner barrels on the wheels. Do you suggest removing all the chrome or do you think the powder coating is good enough to go over the existing chrome and the prepared spots where the chrome has peeled off...?

Thanks very much for the help... :tu:

[Krzy Kat]

Jim, from what I've heard ... the peeling is due to an improper application of the chrome in the pre-process portion. And from what I understand, if they're going to peel, its from the inside - out. So if you put anything over the top, you'd risk even that peeling off also.

I'm NO expert - or even amatuer. This is just from what I've gathered reading on the other side. You might post this question on POA and see what response you get.

[halicat]

maybe later...

they are behaving like a pack of wild dogs lately... I'll wait till they all have there fill before running out into the open....lol

[Jim S]

Jim, You would need to sandblast the chrome before coating. Good adhesion (and clean parts) is the key to success. I am no expert, but the chrome surface is way to smooth for the finish I believe. Any finish needs something to "bite" into.

[halicat]

I have bought a sandblasting kit to be shipped along with the powder coating equipment....I was wondering if blasting it and powder coating over the chrome may either slow or even stop the peeling.... maybe i should just remove it all and get it done with.....

if its worth doing, its worth doing right...

[magnummrk]

At work a few years ago we bought the less expensive powder coat gun. It is very easy to use. Last year we up graded and bought the $800 gun kit and it really works well. First buy an oven you don't plan to cook in again. Make sure the part is free of oils ( you can cook the part first to burn off any oils )
As for how smooth the part is prior to powder coating. we often use a higher quality self etching primer before we powder coat. Most of all our products we powder coat go outside and have had no problems with it coming off. Just experiment with it.

[pumpkin]

We watched our friend powder coat some items. Came out real nice. On all the small pieces he used a toaster oven. A good way of learning how to do it also. by using the toaster. Hope this helps.




http://www.zianet.com/SLlover/page60a10.html

[halicat]

Thank you Mark and Pumpkin...

these are great tips, my stuff arrived today but i've got to look for a compressor and an oven.... I think I know where i can get a toaster oven so that will be great to practise with....I have the black and reflective chrome powders to start with....

You guys ROCK !

[magnummrk]

We buy most of out powder coating from Tiger Drylac. You can get 2lb boxes up to 50 lb boxes...nice selection of colors too.



http://www.tigerdrylac.com/

[halicat]

:tu: