Powder Coating

Big D

Big D

Senior Member
So, Bought me a new toy--- A Powder Coating kit :p. Reads like it's easy enough and have several items that could use it on my newest project. While the kit was not too bad (about $150) the oven seems to be the big cost item. After reading some comments on another site, I figured that for a while I will just get an old stove and use it.

My Questions are:

1. Anyone even tried to powder cost an item?

2. Those that do there own coating-- DO you have an coating oven, use a stove or custom built something else?

3. It says 500 degrees but then shows lights in sub-items. What temp works best and for how long?

thanks, D:D
 
We powdercoat in-house and have for years.

I built my own oven so that we could do anything on a Model A chassis except for the frame.

Most powders are cured at between 350°-400°, --and 500° really seems hot for what I know or seen. The biggest factor in powder painting is the quality of powder you use. Kinda like the difference between Tractor Supply Black and PPG Concept Black. Both are technically called paint, ...and both are Black in color but that is where the similarities end. Powder is the same. The stuff you get from Eastwood and Harbor Freight are on the same end of the spectrum as the Eastwood stuff. I buy mine from TigerDrylac in 55 lbs quantities. It is a premium poly based powder that cures in 20 minutes at 350°.
 
Brent Terry totaly rebuilt the front end steering, steering gear and brakes with the new drums on my 29 Tudor in 2005. Brent powder coated ever piece including the steering tube. The results were great plus the coating is very robust compared to paint. That is why decks on most lawnmowers are coated. To clean you can use glass cleaner. Brent had the powder coating process down to a science in 2005 and knows the ends and outs of the process.
One item I will add is there are some fumes from powder coating that are dangerous particularly if you over heat the process. Also for a powder coated piece that one may later weld do so in a well ventalated area.
 
I picked a oven out of the trash.

I added a box out the back by cutting the oven back and using some sheet metal. You must insulate. Fiberglass will work. You must also have vent holes to let the warm air circulate to the back.

The problem with a regular oven is you must make special holders to get parts to fit. I have a fancy rig to let me do a wheel vertical and put it horizontal in the oven. One part I put in and flipped it end for end part way to ensure even heat along the length.

Powder coating is great as it lets you do small parts with out all the mess. I also does not have the nasty fumes of regular paint.

Caswel plating and Eastwood have good forums to learn the basics and see how others do the PC.
 
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