Curing powder coat

[tomg552001]

I'm geting closer to purchasing a powder coat system. The only problem i have is the curing process. I'm finding it difficult to find an electric oven so i am thinking about purchasing a curing lamp. Which one would you suggest using to cure valve covers mostly. Would the 1000 watt one work alright? Also, how many amps and volts is this lamp? I want to make sure its not an electric eating curing source. Thanks

[tomg552001]

I mean the $188.50 1500watt curing lamp.

[DALE]

An electric household oven works well, they are cheap and often free if you look in the right front yards. The only part that need work is the oven itself. Most home ovens are large enough for valve covers. You can make an oven cheaply if you want more room. Make a sheet metal box, then insulate it with fiberglass house insulation(you must remove vapor barrier from insulation) the fiberglass will easily handle 400 degrees. Then grab a donor oven and take the controlls and heating elements and transfer them to the new box. Don't forget to put a small vent in oven to allow for expansion. Don't invest much in building your first oven cause your projects will outgrow it before you know it.
Heat lamps don't work well, they are very uneven and take forever to do even small parts, plus temperature control is very difficult.

[mcaswell]

Hi Dale:

While I agree with you that an electric oven is a great curing tool (we always encourage our customers to try a low cost solution before purchasing specialized equipment), I disagree that the curing lamps are not effective.

The infrared curing lamps we sell are specially made for curing powder coating and have proven themselves time and time again as effective and easy to use.

I'll get the details on the lamp and post them when I have them.

[tomg552001]

I apprecaite the advice and info. When you get the info on the lamps i'd appreciate that aswell. Also, off topic, what is the approimate area that 1lb. of powder coat will cover?

Thanks

Tom

[DALE]

Caswell--- Please tell me what your idea of a low cost start up is?
I paid $10.00 for my first oven at a garage sale, my second oven was twice the sized purchased at an auction, third oven was $600.00 at a used resturant supply wharehouse and 2 adults can stand in it at the same time.

As for your curing lamps, we both know that the final color of the powder is heavily influenced by cure time and temperature. Especially white which turns off white if cured too long or if temp too high. Now try to cure a box 2 foot square, using lamps you have 2 choices, curing one side at a time, or curing all sides with additional lamps. If you cure one side at a time will all the sides match? Maybe if you use a temperature gun to moniter the surface temp. If you add additional lamps you defeat the low cost.

I only suggest an oven because it makes curing much easier for new coaters by being consistent.

[mcaswell]

I only suggest an oven because it makes curing much easier for new coaters by being consistent.

As I mentioned, we also suggest ovens for our customers, if you read our Powder Coating product info page:

http://www.caswellplating.com/powder_coat.htm

"The part is then placed in an dedicated electric oven, and baked for a while. This cures the coating to a tough chemical resistant finish. It is important not to use a gas oven, as the emissions from the coating are flammable."

Low cost is a relative term. Some people think $100 is a lot of money, others are willing to spend $1000's to startup. It depends on their resources and goals. We need to cater to both.

You said that curing lamps don't work well, and that's simply not true. If they weren't effective, people wouldn't use them.

You're perfectly welcome to post your advice and opinions here, but if you want to dump OUR products on OUR forum, we obviously won't appreciate it.

Since we're now straying off topic, let's please end this thread.

[mcaswell]

1000 watt @ 110 volts = 9 amps

[DALE]

My intent is not to dump your products, but my intent is also not to sell your products.Having said that let's return to helping people.

[armani]

Hello.

You all say that a normal kitchen oven works fine. The grill may be 1000 degrees, but the air is 400.

How about a toaster?

Why not use a torch. The only reason it would be more likely to burn is because a propane torch reachers 3000C. So why not just use a low temp sooty flame or hot air gun? If all else fails, i plan to heat my frame FROM THE INSIDE using a torch...