Has anyone ever tried to do Powder Coating? I know they make small Hobby Craft Powder Coating kits and am thinking of trying it. Any comments or suggestions?
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Has anyone ever tried to do Powder Coating? I know they make small Hobby Craft Powder Coating kits and am thinking of trying it. Any comments or suggestions?
Eastwood has one that does a good job I hear. You need an extra oven though to set the powder. You can not use the wife's and then cook a roast in the same oven and expect to live. I'd love to do the cooling shroud but it might not even fit in spare electric oven I have. You see used electric ovens for free on craigs list all the time.
I think that you can get a UV powder coating system. Uses UV lamps rather than over heat. Way easier and safer.
Eastwoods kit works good I'm doing the front suspension from a 914 and I could not be happier. Powder coating is easy but the prep is time consuming.
The suspension I have has surface rust and paint that needed to be removed so I had it media blasted to take off the paint and have done several things to remove the rust. Once you have bare metal pop it in the oven to burn off any oil or grease. Wipe the part down with metal prep or acetone bake it a second time. Once it has cooled I hang it in my dust enclosure(spray booth) and coat the part in about 5 minutes. Then it's back to the oven 450 until the powder flows to liquid then 20 minutes at 400 and your done.
I'm using an electric kitchen oven and only have one part that wont fit so far(might be looking at the UV light solution). I have not had a problem keeping it clean as all my parts hang from hooks rather then rest on racks. One time I did have a piece bang the side of the oven as I was hanging it and got powder all over the inside oven. I thought for sure that was going to stink every time I used it after that. But I ran the self clean cycle and it burnt the excess powder off and the oven is as good as new.
The suspension I have has surface rust and paint that needed to be removed so I had it media blasted to take off the paint and have done several things to remove the rust. Once you have bare metal pop it in the oven to burn off any oil or grease. Wipe the part down with metal prep or acetone bake it a second time. Once it has cooled I hang it in my dust enclosure(spray booth) and coat the part in about 5 minutes. Then it's back to the oven 450 until the powder flows to liquid then 20 minutes at 400 and your done.
I'm using an electric kitchen oven and only have one part that wont fit so far(might be looking at the UV light solution). I have not had a problem keeping it clean as all my parts hang from hooks rather then rest on racks. One time I did have a piece bang the side of the oven as I was hanging it and got powder all over the inside oven. I thought for sure that was going to stink every time I used it after that. But I ran the self clean cycle and it burnt the excess powder off and the oven is as good as new.
I've had success with the Eastwood system too. Media blasting is a must but a self contained blast cabinet is not too expensive if you already have a compressor. I bought a small blast cabinet for about $150...anything bigger I either do outside or pay someone.
Ovens work great to cure but if you have the time then an infra red heater will also work (without the fan on). Just move the heater from spot to spot until the entire part is cooked. Best to get an infrared thermometer too in order to be sure the correct surface temp is reached and maintained. Got a heater at Crappy Tire for about $35.
Takes more time but a lot less expensive than buying a huge oven.
Brian
Ovens work great to cure but if you have the time then an infra red heater will also work (without the fan on). Just move the heater from spot to spot until the entire part is cooked. Best to get an infrared thermometer too in order to be sure the correct surface temp is reached and maintained. Got a heater at Crappy Tire for about $35.
Takes more time but a lot less expensive than buying a huge oven.
Brian