frustrating, need help

[AAPowderCoating]

I have a ******** procoat gun. I use columbia coating and dupont (sorry caswell, these were supplied with the equipment that I bought from someone).

I have orange peel really bad.

I have searched this forum and read every orange peel thread.

If I lighten the amount of powder on the part then after it is cured you can see the metal (black appearance in certain lighting).

If I thicken the amount of powder it has bad orange peel.

I cure at 395 degrees for 20 minutes.

the columbia coating states to cure 20-25 minutes at 385-400 degrees.

I'm not sure what else to try at this point, but would really like to get this resolved.

[cdaeme]

Re: frustrating, need help

We need a little more info. What type of metal are you trying to PC? What streps did you take to prep the metal.

Jason
Auto-Cycle PC

[pickleboy]

Re: frustrating, need help

also how do you verify cure temp

[AAPowderCoating]

Re: frustrating, need help

I sandblasted with aluminum oxide from northern tool. These are 4" aluminum disk about 1/8" thick. I have also tried this on steel. I then wash with east wood metal wash. Let air dry for 1 hour.

Then coat with orange powder and put in the oven.

[AAPowderCoating]

Re: frustrating, need help

also how do you verify cure temp

the oven has a nice digital temp gauge mounted on it. The oven is 6' tall x 3' wide x 3' deep. Has 4 regular oven elements in the bottom. NO FANS

[mtnbiker]

Re: frustrating, need help

The only time I get orange peel is when I severely overload the powder on the part.

[cdaeme]

Re: frustrating, need help

the oven has a nice digital temp gauge mounted on it. The oven is 6' tall x 3' wide x 3' deep. Has 4 regular oven elements in the bottom. NO FANS

You not only need to verify oven temp but the part must be at cure temp before you start counting down the cure time. I use a hand held infrared thermometer.

Try cleaning the part with brake cleaner (the Oriley brand works great) prior to powder coating it. I was doing some new cast aluminum housings a few weeks back and having serious problems with what looked like orange peel / outgas bubbles I was convinced I did not have a cleaning issue. After showing the part to my powder rep he told me the parts were powdered and still had some kind of contamination on them. I took his advice and cleaned the parts the same way I normally do then the final step was to spray the part down with the brake cleaner. Everyone I have done since then has turned out perfect with not even one bubble.


Jason
Auto-Cycle PC

[mtnbiker]

Re: frustrating, need help

Brake clean does work good. Then a final blow off with compressed air right before shooting.

But, just get the cheapest can of brake cleaner you can. If you can find the $.99 stuff... get it.

[AAPowderCoating]

Re: frustrating, need help

I will try the brake cleaner and see what happens.

[jtagger19]

Re: frustrating, need help

brake cleaner ?
then blow with air ?
you outgas before or after brake cleaner ?
this is nice to know

[mtnbiker]

Re: frustrating, need help

Depends on the part. I dont outgas very much. Unless it is an engine part that was in contact with engine oil a lot.

wipe down with cleaner
bead blast
blast with air to get dust off
blast with parts cleaner/brake clean/carb clean whatever is cheapest
blast with compressed air
powder coat

Excellent results everytime.

[cdaeme]

Re: frustrating, need help

I have used brake cleaner before and after outgassing with no problems. Do not use Carburator cleaner because it containes silicone in some brands. Spray on blow down but do not touch the part with your bare hands. Let us know if this helps!!

Jason

[AAPowderCoating]

Re: frustrating, need help

Will do. Thanks for all the help. I'm a newb at this and want to get the process down so I can make a few dollars on the side. Just gonna focus on friends parts and friends of friends type of thing.

I just want it to look as good as possible and right now I'm not happy with it, so I don't think anyone would be willing to spend a penny on it.

[cdaeme]

Re: frustrating, need help

Will do. Thanks for all the help. I'm a newb at this and want to get the process down so I can make a few dollars on the side. Just gonna focus on friends parts and friends of friends type of thing.

I just want it to look as good as possible and right now I'm not happy with it, so I don't think anyone would be willing to spend a penny on it.

That's the way it starts before long you will be a powder addict in denial like the rest of us.

Jason
Auto-Cycle PC

[machone]

Re: frustrating, need help

I use strictly brake cleaner, never had a problem since
mach