powder coating over aluminum

[modeltruckshop]

I have some small pcs that are really dirty, can I blast them and then powder coat

[Noob2PC]

Originally Posted by modeltruckshop

I have some small pcs that are really dirty, can I blast them and then powder coat

From Experience, You need to...
1. Soak and Clean in a degreaser such as .... the Black jug at Harbor Freight.
2. blast aluminum parts
3. then bake them for 30-60 min
4. let cool
5. blast again
6. wipe down
7. bake again for 30 min
8. then pull part from oven
9. shoot while warm/hot
10. Bake and cure for recommenced time.

This is what I have learned is the best way to do it.

[Powder_Coating_Pros]

Originally Posted by Noob2PC

From Experience, You need to...
1. Soak and Clean in a degreaser such as .... the Black jug at Harbor Freight.
2. blast aluminum parts
3. then bake them for 30-60 min
4. let cool (DEGREASE, RINSE WITH WATER BEFORE PUTTING IN BLASTER)
5. blast again
6. wipe down (Use water if you can, rags leave lint and fabrics when you have rough texture from sand blasting)
7. bake again for 30 min
8. then pull part from oven
9. shoot while warm/hot (90F-150F)
10. Bake and cure for recommenced time.

This is what I have learned is the best way to do it.

I do these steps plus the ones in red.

[nuttyman]

wo wo wo!!!

1. de-grease
2. blast or buff, depending on your desired result
3. if it is cast Al then outgas
-- let cool, wipe down with denatured alcohol, blow off and shoot it.
4. if it is not cast Al you don't need to outgas, just wipe it down, blow it off & shoot it.

I use 100% polyester (lint free) rags. If the part is cast & is very old you might need to outgas more than once. If you experience nasty outgassing that you can't rid yourself of you can shoot a base-coat, cool it, sand it, wipe it down & shoot your color coat. there are some tricks you will learn when dealing with troublesome outgassing.

[FigureLLC]

Originally Posted by nuttyman

wo wo wo!!!

wipe down with denatured alcohol

I use 100% polyester (lint free) rags.

ahahaha!

is there a reason you use denatured alcohol over acetone?

where do you get your rags? i hate lint, and i don't have a replenishable supply of rags.

[Harleydad]

Acetone will soften the pc. You can get lint free (supposedly) rags from Home Depot, Lowes etc............

[Powder_Coating_Pros]

I have bought lint free rags, and I still had fabric catch the sharp edges when I sand blasted a part.

Maybe you bought better rags?

[FigureLLC]

Originally Posted by Harleydad

Acetone will soften the pc.

oh, right on. thanks!

[nuttyman]

I buy my rags @ Walmart. they sell 2 packs for $2. I buy them by the cart-load!!

[FigureLLC]

i picked up some alcohol yesterday. i think i'm a convert!

looked at home depot again for rags. didn't find much. there was some lint-free cheese cloth. they also had tack cloths. anyone use tack cloths? ...i guess that'd just be an extra step if you didn't have lint in the first place.