Powder coating guns

[6inarow]

OK I did a search and haven't found any recent info on this. If I missed something send me a link.

I am wondering if there are any inexpensive beginner powder coating guns out there. I have the intro gun from Eastwood but would like something a little better. I a finding guns in the $700-1000 range but are there any good guns in the $300-500 range? Any insight here?

 

[MileHigh]

I don't know what the Eastwood gun is like, but I've heard decent things about the Harbor Freight Intro gun. The only recommendation I saw was to not use the their powder.

What types of things are you powder coating?

What sort of intro method are you using to heat?

 

[kert]

I used an Eastwood gun about 10 years ago to powder coat some bumper brackets from a 1939 Buick about 10 years ago Was quite pleased with the results.

Edit: Baked the parts in an old electric stove with non-working burners. My dad has rental property and plenty of access to "junk" appliances.

 

[mothgrey]

What do you use to bake it?

 

[Cryptic1911]

you can use pretty much any oven that you can fit the part into (hanging), but you can't use it in a stove that you want to cook food in afterwords, so use a junk stove

 

[darkk]

What do you use to bake it?

You can do small stuff in a regular electric oven, but there are 18x18x18 interior ovens for sale at Northern tool for around $300-$350.

 

[6inarow]

I used an Eastwood gun about 10 years ago to powder coat some bumper brackets from a 1939 Buick about 10 years ago Was quite pleased with the results.

Edit: Baked the parts in an old electric stove with non-working burners. My dad has rental property and plenty of access to "junk" appliances.

Yeah this is what I did - found an old freebie from an appliance store. One of the 1970s avacado green units. I disabled the burners and use the oven.

But who cares?? heat is heat. The weak link is still the ability to spread the powder. the eastwood gun is OK but there has to be a more efficient way.

 

[jmlcolorado]

I bought the harbor freight gun, and have used the heck out of it!
I buy allmy powder from Eastwood.
I podercoated this entire bike (except the frame) in eastwoods gloss black in a 70's oven.

This bike is eastwoods satin black.

I've got plans to build an 8' tall oven so I can do full bike frames and bumpers and what not eventually.

 

[Octarine]

Was that an 80/81 gs750L ? Ive owned several Gs'es- great bikes and better motors as long as you sorted out the charging system.

 

[RobSmith]

That little gap between the seat and the tank is a good trap for your nuts !

 

[jmlcolorado]

Was that an 80/81 gs750L ? Ive owned several Gs'es- great bikes and better motors as long as you sorted out the charging system.

Both bikes are 80 gs1000. This thing scoots! I got it out of a guys garage for free! It sat for 9 years, with a full tank of fuel

That little gap between the seat and the tank is a good trap for your nuts !

It went so fast, your **** hardly hung onto the seat anyways! No where for your nuts to catch

 

[kert]

Yeah this is what I did - found an old freebie from an appliance store. One of the 1970s avacado green units. I disabled the burners and use the oven.

But who cares?? heat is heat. The weak link is still the ability to spread the powder. the eastwood gun is OK but there has to be a more efficient way.

I think mine was Harvest Gold.

 

[GRX]

You should look into "Parkerizing". First widely used by the US military in WW2. There are many kits available online. Keep in mind Parkerizing is only good for ferrous metals. No stainless, aluminum, or high nickle steels.

 

[Bernie Mac]

I've used the Eastwood powder coating system since it first came out. Never had the need to purchase the new and improved model and continue to be happy with the results I get. Why buy something more expensive just because- when the the first gen works well and is less $$?
I get my powders from Eastwood also and have been happy with them for years.
My 2 cents worth...

 

[mrpowderkeg]

The el cheapo eastwood gun has worked well for me, I like to do my own little stuff, and I take my time and do a good job, most of the time I think my stuff looks better than the "professional" stuff I see, but I may be a little biased

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/185866_10150117775957888_2052045_n.jpg

 

[signcrafter]

The el cheapo eastwood gun has worked well for me, I like to do my own little stuff, and I take my time and do a good job, most of the time I think my stuff looks better than the "professional" stuff I see, but I may be a little biased

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/185866_10150117775957888_2052045_n.jpg

How do you do the two colors when you powder coat? Do you do one and bake it and then another? Just tape off the first color? I've never powder coated anything before.

 

[mrpowderkeg]

base coat of the red, bake until it just flows out, let it cool, tack cloth it off, hit it with black, and then use tape and a lint roller to remove the back powder where you want the red to show through, then back into the oven. If you mess up you can blow off the black and start over. It takes some time, but it's well worth it, I did the valve covers for this 440 to match the lid too.

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/189046_10150117775837888_6981721_n.jpg

 

[signcrafter]

Looks great.

 

[jdub63]

Check out Caswell plating, they have several guns in the price range you mentioned.
http://www.caswellplating.com/powder-coating.html

Here's my small part setup....

 

[mothgrey]

base coat of the red, bake until it just flows out, let it cool, tack cloth it off, hit it with black, and then use tape and a lint roller to remove the back powder where you want the red to show through, then back into the oven. If you mess up you can blow off the black and start over. It takes some time, but it's well worth it, I did the valve covers for this 440 to match the lid too.

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/189046_10150117775837888_6981721_n.jpg

Thanks that's cool

 

[mothgrey]

Check out Caswell plating, they have several guns in the price range you mentioned.
http://www.caswellplating.com/powder-coating.html

Here's my small part setup....

Another great idea

 

[6inarow]

jdub63 and mrpowderkeg thanks for the posts.

 

[Thruxton]

base coat of the red, bake until it just flows out, let it cool, tack cloth it off, hit it with black, and then use tape and a lint roller to remove the back powder where you want the red to show through, then back into the oven. If you mess up you can blow off the black and start over. It takes some time, but it's well worth it, I did the valve covers for this 440 to match the lid too.

Thanks very much for sharing your technique- I really like the way thse pieces turned out. I have seen a number of 2 and 3 color powder-coated intake manifolds for my 928, but this is one fo the best looking jobs I have seen. Nice work!

 

[DrunkSmurf]

base coat of the red, bake until it just flows out, let it cool, tack cloth it off, hit it with black, and then use tape and a lint roller to remove the back powder where you want the red to show through, then back into the oven. If you mess up you can blow off the black and start over. It takes some time, but it's well worth it, I did the valve covers for this 440 to match the lid too.

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/189046_10150117775837888_6981721_n.jpg

Those look great and after describing your method I actually said "duh"...lol...I haven't used powder coat but I often over think things to the point of missing the easier route.
I'm sure it's far from easy and has to be somewhat tedious but it looks great and sounds easier than masking or hand painting etc.

Thanks for sharing the tips.

 

[wnstwolf]

Nice setup Jdub.. Is that a homemade draft booth? I see filters in there?

 

[bullfrog123]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/XYZ-01-07100/
That's the gun I use now. It is really nice to not have to have a compressor hooked up to it. Does really well but wish the cups held a bit more powder.
I used the original Eastwood gun for 6-7 yrs with no problems, gave it to my brother and he still uses it today (5 yrs). I do mostly small parts for snowmobiles and some custom fuel jug racks for Razors and snowmobiles. Most my powders come from Eastwood also, or Pendry.

 

[jdub63]

Nice setup Jdub.. Is that a homemade draft booth? I see filters in there?

Yes, it started life as a computer rack/cabinet several built in fans in the top, so they do a pretty good job of clearing the area.

jdub

 

[dodge610]

I use the summit gun and the eastwood gun but looking at getting the starter gun that powder by the pound has. Might be worth looking into I powdercoat on the side and have a pretty good customer base if i can help let me know.