Thirdlife.... welcome to "da boards". I have no doubt you'll love being here as much as we do. Always something new to learn and think about no matter your level of expertise.
1) Powders are a "dry mix" kinda thing. If it helps you... think of it this way : when you mix powdered sugar and baking soda.... you still have just powdered sugar and just baking soda. They only happen to be near one another in a way. Powders area lot like that in a way. Blue will still be blue, and red will still be red. From a distance the colours may blend... but when you get close up to it (maybe within 10 feet) you'll be able to tell that it's a "speckled" mixture. With the availablity of colours out on the market today and all of the neat things you can do with them..... it's best to keep using red as red, and blue as blue. If you want a purple... there's no doubt about 100 shades available to you out there.
2) ehhhhhh, yes and no. This process requires a delicate touch and a lot of practice. I know what you're asking and yes... although it is indeed possible, for a beginner it's best you stick with the solid colours and such before you go "selectively" coating things. You'll see what I mean in due time on your own. I have no fears you'll basically answer your own question on that one soon enough.
3) If you're referring to the "hobbyist" model at a lower price and the hobbyist model at a more expensive price. The answer is no. Just a price difference. They both basically charge a powder at one pre-set level and you coat with it. You start seeing a diffrence when you get to the professional series of guns..... Currently there are none under 2900 being offered. I have a feeling that's going to change shortly though (evil grin). The "professional" models have all sorts of neat things. Larger hoppers, adjustable voltages, etc. Start with the basics of the Caswell gun first. As the pictures here in the album can attest.... you'll be very happy with it, I promise you.
4) there's a thread here that is quite lengthy about the virtues of both types of curing methods. It's an age-old debate between indirect heat and direct IR lamp. There's no right or wrong answer..... just what suits your needs best. If you have fishing lures.... by all means a "kitchen oven" will work best for you. If you are doing car frames and don't have 15,000+ dollars and very little space.... IR is the answer. Tell me what you're coating and we'll help guide you best how to get it done,basically.
Again.... welcome and congrats on choosing the finest area available to learn about your new found hobby. We have no doubt it will be just as, if not more helpful to you as you gain experience due to the fact that some things will no doubt apply to you differently at different time. Good luck..... Russ
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