Powder coating...getting started...

[Jumpmaster]

Well...now that the compressor is running well (thanks to you helpful folks!!!), I've begun doing research into getting a powder coating gun to powder coat some parts for my sand rail and a few other things -- stuff for friends, etc. So I have a few questions for y'all...

Can anyone recommend a good e-book to get started on home powder coating? Stuff that covers preparation tips, which type powder to use...stuff like that.

Does anyone have any experience with the Chicago Electric powder coat gun sold by Harbor Freight. I know that in general, Harbor Freight stuff is crap but would this be a good set to start out with? They seem to be the only ones available on ebay...

To prep the parts, I'm thinking a bead blasting cabinet would be a good idea...seems a lot cleaner than sandblasting and the parts I'm doing aren't that large so a blast cabinet should be big enough. Open to suggestions on cabinets and media on this also.

Thanks for any tips or info, as always!!

JM-99

 

[Jumpmaster]

Wow! I'm stunned...no one has any info on powder coating? Boy, if y'all can't help me I'll be in trouble! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ok...I'll go ahead and delve into the wide world of powder coating and will let everyone know how it goes. I'll try to post pics of more successful attempts...and maybe the failed ones too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JM-99

 

[karlthev]

How about contacting an automotive custom paint shop? You might have to go to a large metropolitan area to find such a place or....maybe not....

 

[Jumpmaster]

[ QUOTE ]
karlthev said:
How about contacting an automotive custom paint shop? You might have to go to a large metropolitan area to find such a place or....maybe not....

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good idea, but like I say...I sort of want to learn how to do it so I can do my own stuff without paying insane prices for it. And I'd like to be able to do small parts for friends also...I think if I called a place like that, they probably wouldn't be forthcoming with information -- instead, wanting me to just bring the stuff to them to do.

Thanks for the note!

JM-99

 

[gadget_lover]

A quick google search of "how to powder coat" showed a lot of links.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Daniel

 

[Jumpmaster]

Yes...google is great. I did try that first and there are a lot of links. The reason I asked here is to try to cull out the garbage from the good info. Wanted to see if any of the intelligent folks here had any firsthand experience with any of the e-books available.

Thanks!!

JM-99

 

[Steelwolf]

No experience from or about e-books. Learnt this the hard way.

You need to make sure your item to be powder-coated is scrupulously clean. And if you have joints, make sure they are clean too. We had a machine that was leaking some oil from several welded joints (they were only stitch-welded, long story as to how the oil ended up in there). First coat of powder flaked. We had to send it back, have it hot washed and sand blasted before it was given a new coat, which, thankfully, was good.

Get it clean! No oils, no flux. Sandblast before coating.

 

[Jumpmaster]

Thanks for the tips! I did buy a blast cabinet with 70 grit Aluminum Oxide...I've already prepped the lugnuts in there.

I did read on another forum to be very careful about powder-coating lugnuts and/or wheels. There are accounts on there from people that have done that that have had their wheels come loose after a couple thousand miles!!! So I will make sure not to powder-coat the threads or the surface that touches the wheel.

Now if only I could find an economical way to cure the parts, I'd be set!

JM-99

 

[MJ]

Hey here's a topic I know something about. While I never have used the harbor freight gun I've heard great things about it, and if I would have known about it before I bought mine from eastwood, thats what I would have bought. Dollar for dollar I hear it's a great gun. I've been coating for about five years now, and started curing in a simple toaster oven, works fine for smaller parts and I still use it to this day, I picked at a garage sale for under 10 bucks. It didn't take long for me to need a bigger oven, and I lucked out big time, I found a electric range for free, just needed to move it from the owners house! I made an extension that sits on the door when it's open so I can cure up to a 18x10 car rim. I think I could get a 20, but 18 is as big as I've done. I've seen a couple sites on-line of guys who have built there own ovens using steel cabinets and those 'jet' heaters for really big parts, I couldn't find any of those links though. I guess I don't know how big of part your looking to do, but I would guess that you could find a pretty good deal on a range in the local paper. I also use a bead blasting set up for most of my prep work, works great, and leaves a great finish for the powder to stick to. As far as learning, I read enough on-line to get the basic's down and then just started messing around with scrap I had sitting around. Plan on messing up a few times before you get the feel for it and you'll be fine.

Have fun, and remember to post pics when your done.
MJ