Powder-coating for noobs

[PowerPowder]

Hello guys n gals ,

ive recently been reading a lot of information on this site and wish to undertake a powdercoating at home. As i live with my parents i have no room but i will make do with the minimum neccisery requirements as long as its withought sacraficing the quality of finish.

My aim it to create some sussesfull pieces for my babys ( cars and bike).
the largest part i would be prepaired to do would be a alloy wheel or frame. So this brings me down to my problems that i hope will also represent a good thread for noobs like us

Questions:

Are these all re required kit for a good first hack at some items between the size of a hand and a 2lt bottle of pop, I will be mainly concentraiting on using black and metallic powder's bonding to aluminum , steel and aloy surfaces.


Starter Powder Coating System and 1500W Infratech Curing Lamp for coating and curing.
a infared thermometer and a Powder Scrape Gauge to help maintain accuracy.

am i going along the right lines?

and could some one give me a good solution to prepairing these metals for powdercoating as the choise seams endless and i find it overwhelming to contemplate wich is best for my use?

im looking to keep to a minimal budget withought jepordising quality tasty bits

can anyone shead some light on any missing requirements im still in the process of research but would like some direct personal opinions buy some of the exerianced proffetionals but also tips from people in a similar position.

I hope to turn this into a sticky (even tho im new ) because sometimes it takes a noob to teach one !

Thanks
Power Powder

[PowerPowder]

may i ask the 32 people that have looked at this post , why no one has posted in over 12 hours on a international forum ?

[Harleydad]

Because we have businesses, jobs and families that need attention. I'll try to reply to your questions this evening after returning from work.

Please try to have a little patience.

[vertek]

What I've noticed is that, I have to wait a day or so before any of my posts are replied to. Taking into account the number of members and that most of the members are 6-8 hours behind me in time, I cant complain.

Just have to be patient.


Seb.

[fl70]

Originally Posted by PowerPowder

may i ask the 32 people that have looked at this post , why no one has posted in over 12 hours on a international forum ?

It's possible they were other noobs looking for the answers also.

[Whiplash]

Yep! I am still a newbie myself. Still screwing up products myself. Most of my questions have been answered by using the search botton.

I have read that a curing lamp can be a problem. An oven should be used if possible.

[PowerPowder]

sorry if i seamed impation the outher forum im on always aswear between 1-4 hours and thats 24/7 so i just gotta get used to it

could you post a link to the "problem topic on lights" i cant seam to find it.

and id apreshiate the write up thankyou

[Harleydad]

Originally Posted by PowerPowder

Hello guys n gals ,

ive recently been reading a lot of information on this site and wish to undertake a powdercoating at home. As i live with my parents i have no room but i will make do with the minimum neccisery requirements as long as its withought sacraficing the quality of finish.

My aim it to create some sussesfull pieces for my babys ( cars and bike).
the largest part i would be prepaired to do would be a alloy wheel or frame. So this brings me down to my problems that i hope will also represent a good thread for noobs like us

Questions:

Are these all re required kit for a good first hack at some items between the size of a hand and a 2lt bottle of pop, I will be mainly concentraiting on using black and metallic powder's bonding to aluminum , steel and aloy surfaces.


Starter Powder Coating System and 1500W Infratech Curing Lamp for coating and curing.
a infared thermometer and a Powder Scrape Gauge to help maintain accuracy.
I would not use the curing lamp. It only cures what it sees. You would need to keep moving things around and really watch the temp close. Curing could take a long time. Find an old working kitchen oven or something. I'm not big on the scrape gauge, I prefer a digital thickness gauge to check mils after curing. The scrape gauge is better than nothing until you get the hang of how much powder your applying. I.R thermometer is a must.
am i going along the right lines?

and could some one give me a good solution to prepairing these metals for powdercoating as the choise seams endless and i find it overwhelming to contemplate wich is best for my use?
This will pretty much work for every thing(other than chrome or polished items).
1. Degrease (I use simple Green) rinse and dry with clean,dry air.
2. Blasting, blow off with clean,dry air
3. Outgassing if needed.
4. Wipe down with cleaner of your choice (I use Acetone, most pre-paint cleaners will work. Dont' use petroleum based products.) Blow off with clean dry air.
5. Lightly go over the part with a torch to remove any rag lint or dust.
6. Coat and cure.

Cast materials such as intakes need to be outgassed. During the casting process air and junk can get trapped in the pores and it will come out during the curing process. You need to place these types of parts in the oven approximately 50 or so degrees above the powder cure temp. about an hr usually does the trick.
The same applies to chrome parts only your testing to see if the chrome will hold up to the cure temp. If it doesn't it will need to be completely stripped. If it holds up you can just scotchbrite to ruff up the surface and coat (solid colors).

If you're using a candy/transparent or clear just clean well and skip the scotchbrite. This also applies to polished items.

im looking to keep to a minimal budget withought jepordising quality tasty bits

can anyone shead some light on any missing requirements im still in the process of research but would like some direct personal opinions buy some of the exerianced proffetionals but also tips from people in a similar position.

I hope to turn this into a sticky (even tho im new ) because sometimes it takes a noob to teach one !

Thanks
Power Powder

Here is the Tips and Tricks thread that may help you. Tips and Tricks

[fl70]

Good info Harleydad.

[PowerPowder]

may i ask what you mean by going over by a torch , surely not a blowtorch ?

and which part uses scotchbrite?

Thanks for the good info

and due to space i cannot use an oven so would it be a good idea two buy 2 for either side then turn the part 90% at certain times?