Powder Strength

[TCDrums]

Hey Guys!

I'm new to the forum and to powdercoating as well. I spent the last few hours browsing the forum and I've learned a great deal of some damn fine info. I'm a custom drum builder and until now, I've been sending drum lugs and hoops out to be powdercoated. My question is:

how can I expect powders to hold up under the beating of drum playing, gigging, etc.? I've been told that I should strip the chrome off of the drum parts to get the best adhesion and strength of powder. Is this true? Or would a good sandblasting be good enough? I find that many drummers love candy parts, and I feel candy looks best over chrome...Any help and opinions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks...

[machone]

First, welcome to the forum!
Powder holds up awesome, ALOT better than paint. You can coat a piece of tubing and hit it with a hammer. The tubing will bend before the powder chips. As far as the chrome goes, as long as it's a good, solid plating job, it'll be fine. You can always test it by putting it in the oven for a cure cycle at cure temp. if the chrome doesn't peel, you're good to go. I'm a musician also, & as long as you don't buy cheap japanese equipment, the plating should hold up fine.
Candy/translucent colors are a good choice. I've done a few wrenches in different colors, & they look great. Just remember: whatever the finish is on the metal, it will show through the color. The thicker the coating, the darker the color. Therefore, if you have a scratch or a small dent on the part, the powder will be thicker in those spots and will be VERY obvious. Coating is easy, PREP PREP PREP is the most important part.
Good luck!
mach

[TCDrums]

Originally Posted by machone

First, welcome to the forum!
Powder holds up awesome, ALOT better than paint. You can coat a piece of tubing and hit it with a hammer. The tubing will bend before the powder chips. As far as the chrome goes, as long as it's a good, solid plating job, it'll be fine. You can always test it by putting it in the oven for a cure cycle at cure temp. if the chrome doesn't peel, you're good to go. I'm a musician also, & as long as you don't buy cheap japanese equipment, the plating should hold up fine.
Candy/translucent colors are a good choice. I've done a few wrenches in different colors, & they look great. Just remember: whatever the finish is on the metal, it will show through the color. The thicker the coating, the darker the color. Therefore, if you have a scratch or a small dent on the part, the powder will be thicker in those spots and will be VERY obvious. Coating is easy, PREP PREP PREP is the most important part.
Good luck!
mach

Thanks a lot man, I was beginning to think no one was ever going to respond. I just shot a drum last week that i've posted, it turned out great! I now have to see how it sounds.

[machone]

If I had bigger kahones, I'd try coating my saxophone.................

[TCDrums]

Originally Posted by machone

If I had bigger kahones, I'd try coating my saxophone.................

That would be sic dude! Do it!