Powder Coating Gun for the Novice?

[PartsGuy27]

Hello all,

I am looking at doing some home powder coating jobs using my home oven as my powder coating oven. I figure the biggest things I would be doing would be my motorcycle wheels.

I am looking for suggestions on a good powder coating gun. I have read decent reviews on the Eastwood Dual Voltage unit.

Any real-time feedback?

Thanks.

-Brian

 

[Loscaldazar]

I like my eastwood dual voltage gun. It works. Powder spray pattern is good and it doesn't seem to put out excessive amounts of powder like the HF does. It's a good unit.

It might not be a 2-3K powder coating gun, but I don't have any complaint with it.

 

[pendragon1998]

Craftsman had a gun that was discontinued, but is available on ebay. I have heard a few guys say they like theirs.

Not sure I would want to use my kitchen oven for that.

 

[PartsGuy27]

I like my eastwood dual voltage gun. It works. Powder spray pattern is good and it doesn't seem to put out excessive amounts of powder like the HF does. It's a good unit.

It might not be a 2-3K powder coating gun, but I don't have any complaint with it.

That is basically what I am looking for, I just want something that will do a decent job. Not looking to do parts for anyone besides myself and friends. Appreciate the input, thanks.

Craftsman had a gun that was discontinued, but is available on ebay. I have heard a few guys say they like theirs.

Not sure I would want to use my kitchen oven for that.

Is that the electric gun? I've read mixed reviews on that one.

Eh I don't use the oven much and there is no Mrs. so I figured it will work. I'll just clean it out well before using it for food.

 

[MFolks]

I sometimes bake motorcycle parts in our oven during the summer when windows can be opened.300-350 for 30 minutes will put a durable coating,that is almost paint stripper resistant. Of course prep work first,cleaning,priming and than baking after the primer's cured somewhat.

I use the oven racks,with old wire coat hangers to hold the parts.

 

[6PTsocket]

That is basically what I am looking for, I just want something that will do a decent job. Not looking to do parts for anyone besides myself and friends. Appreciate the input, thanks.



Is that the electric gun? I've read mixed reviews on that one.

Eh I don't use the oven much and there is no Mrs. so I figured it will work. I'll just clean it out well before using it for food.

I don't know how toxic that stuff is when heated. Make sure you don' t end up with no Mr. either. They don't even reccomend using a dedicated oven in a closed (kitchen) environment.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[PartsGuy27]

I sometimes bake motorcycle parts in our oven during the summer when windows can be opened.300-350 for 30 minutes will put a durable coating,that is almost paint stripper resistant. Of course prep work first,cleaning,priming and than baking after the primer's cured somewhat.

I use the oven racks,with old wire coat hangers to hold the parts.

Does curing the parts emit a lot of fumes?

I don't know how toxic that stuff is when heated. Make sure you don' t end up with no Mr. either. They don't even reccomend using a dedicated oven in a closed (kitchen) environment.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Good call. Not trying to die and I like my lungs smoke free.

 

[67King]

Harbor Freight one is junk. I gave mine away. The Eastwood one is MUCH nicer.

 

[PartsGuy27]

Harbor Freight one is junk. I gave mine away. The Eastwood one is MUCH nicer.

I generally tend to avoid Harbor Freight unless it is a one time use tool.

 

[sandmann]

I started with a used HF set-up, and old toaster oven, and have had excellent results. I was all fired up and got a bigger oven to do wheels etc. and decided to upgrade to the Eastwood dual voltage gun for wheels etc.
My general observations:
1) I have noticed is the Eastwood gun seems to have a little better control of the powder leaving the gun. I guess it uses just a tad less powder to do the same thing.
2) The higher voltage setting on the Eastwood DV gun does get better coverage into blind or "caged" areas.
3) The bottles of eastwood powder screw right on to the gun. Very convenient as I order mostly Eastwood powder. Eastwood bottles will not fit on my HF gun.
4) I will keep the HF gun as a backup as it works just fine.

**Remember to sift your powder to avoid lumps and clogs in the gun.

Have fun and good luck.

 

[PartsGuy27]

I started with a used HF set-up, and old toaster oven, and have had excellent results. I was all fired up and got a bigger oven to do wheels etc. and decided to upgrade to the Eastwood dual voltage gun for wheels etc.
My general observations:
1) I have noticed is the Eastwood gun seems to have a little better control of the powder leaving the gun. I guess it uses just a tad less powder to do the same thing.
2) The higher voltage setting on the Eastwood DV gun does get better coverage into blind or "caged" areas.
3) The bottles of eastwood powder screw right on to the gun. Very convenient as I order mostly Eastwood powder. Eastwood bottles will not fit on my HF gun.
4) I will keep the HF gun as a backup as it works just fine.

**Remember to sift your powder to avoid lumps and clogs in the gun.

Have fun and good luck.

Thank you for the advice.

What do you use to sift your powder? I'm also assuming keeping powder as dry as possible is a necessity.

Did you find the higher voltage setting on the Eastwood was better for tight areas or better for large surfaces?

Thanks again.

-Brian

 

[mmouse]

I have the eastwood single voltage. Works great. I was having problems with the powder repelling, solved it with a dedicated earth ground. Check craiglsist for a cheap or free oven. I don't recommend doing it in the house. I buy powder from tccoatings or pouderbythepound.

 

[sandmann]

A regular (small) flour sifter works just fine. And yes, more voltage works better for larger areas.

Here are a couple of my first projects with the used Harbor Freight gun and some left over powder that was in the box o stuff I got with it.

There are a ton of youtube videos on powdercoating for advice and techique. Eastwood has a good starter video on youtube as well.

 

[PartsGuy27]

A regular (small) flour sifter works just fine. And yes, more voltage works better for larger areas.

Here are a couple of my first projects with the used Harbor Freight gun and some left over powder that was in the box o stuff I got with it.

There are a ton of youtube videos on powdercoating for advice and techique. Eastwood has a good starter video on youtube as well.

Wow that stuff came out great! Nice work!

I have the eastwood single voltage. Works great. I was having problems with the powder repelling, solved it with a dedicated earth ground. Check craiglsist for a cheap or free oven. I don't recommend doing it in the house. I buy powder from tccoatings or pouderbythepound.

Good to know. Pardon my ignorance but what exactly is a dedicated earth ground?

 

[Specracer]

+ 1 on the Eastwood gun.

 

[6PTsocket]

I generally tend to avoid Harbor Freight unless it is a one time use tool.

Harbor Freight is a mixed bag. Along with many reviewers I am happy with my 44" tool cabinet set. I have had my Earthquake impact wrenchand jack stands for years. I have also had to return or exchange a number of items. Some of it is pure garbage. There is a thread called HF hits and misses.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ngonerogwu]

Hey guys, I do this.

The dual voltage Eastwood will be a good starter. If you want a step up, the redline ez50 would be a solid choice.

For those tight areas, which we call faraday areas, you wanna use the lower voltage setting. The lower voltage will slow charge buildup which will cause powder rejection in those areas.

Shoot those areas first, and then you can switch to the higher voltage and get the flat or otherwise easier areas.

A dedicated ground setup is helpful. I have 2 8ft ground rods bonded together outside my shop. The idea is that the faster you can bleed off excess charge, the better.

I started off with the harbor freight gun and toaster oven. It snowballed and now have a $5k one and an oven we can stand inside of.

 

[PartsGuy27]

Hey guys, I do this.

The dual voltage Eastwood will be a good starter. If you want a step up, the redline ez50 would be a solid choice.

For those tight areas, which we call faraday areas, you wanna use the lower voltage setting. The lower voltage will slow charge buildup which will cause powder rejection in those areas.

Shoot those areas first, and then you can switch to the higher voltage and get the flat or otherwise easier areas.

A dedicated ground setup is helpful. I have 2 8ft ground rods bonded together outside my shop. The idea is that the faster you can bleed off excess charge, the better.

I started off with the harbor freight gun and toaster oven. It snowballed and now have a $5k one and an oven we can stand inside of.

I appreciate the advice, thank you.