To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Powder Coating?

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
Hey, I was wondering if anyone here does their own powder coating or were thinking about doing their own powder coating?

Edit: now that I see there might be some people wanting to see it, I will go ahead and post my powder coating guide: Powder Coating: The Complete Guide

I started after many trial and error powder coating nights. Its meant to answer all the questions of a beginning coater that I had to search all over for. It is still a work in progress so if you have a specific question, feel free to ask me.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Angelfire

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Messages
1,367
Location
New Mexico and Ireland
I plan to put together a small setup in a few years. Am interested to see what folks are using as it seems there are rigs in all price ranges. I don't need a high production, high cost unit but don't want a piece of **** either. So subscribed!
 

mustangboy

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2007
Messages
13
Location
Independence, KY
Ive been coating for 5 yrs now. I work out of my home and it has turned into a full blown full time business. In faft im building a new shop now and will be starting a thread on that very soon. I started with a cheapie eastwood gun then a little better gun then to a powder buy the pound gun then finally to my wagner.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
 

tcianci

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
4,242
Location
Walpole, Ma
I have the basic Eastwood gun and converted kitchen oven. I'm sure that more expensive rigs may be somewhat better but this set up has worked great. Don't be afraid to get into coating with the Eastwood basic stuff. Even HF and some other places offer PC kits too. If you want higher end stuff and powder in bulk check out www.caswellplating.com. I have no experience first hand but HF also sells powder but I have heard it's like everything else there...
 
Last edited:
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
I do powder coating myself also. Its good to see you guys are also coating. It definitely serves its purpose in a car restoration. That's what I am doing now anyways and that is how I got into it. I was making this post to see if there was any kind of want for a powder coating how to guide.

I have started a guide and I am confident that it will be helpful for people already coating(but still kind of new) and especially for people like Anglefire.

This is the powder coating guide I have been working on. So far it just covers the introductory stuff but it already answers a lot of questions that I remember having when I started out. I have tried to organize the info and put it all into one place.

Anways.. here is the link, it is called Powder Coating: The Complete Guide
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
I plan to put together a small setup in a few years. Am interested to see what folks are using as it seems there are rigs in all price ranges. I don't need a high production, high cost unit but don't want a piece of **** either. So subscribed!

This was exactly the type of response I was hoping for from members and the reason why I started the guide. There are a couple sections you should definitely look at, especially the Powder Coating Guns section. It covers most of the beginner (cheaper) guns.
 

e-tek

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
10,690
Location
Saskatoon, SK
I'm not knocking powder coating in general - I know it's more durable than paint, but I restore cars professionally and have never powder coated anything. After years of finding all the correct shades for all the various pieces for different cars I'd hate to have to try and find replacements! Proper prep, decent spray can paint (I currently use Dupli-color and Eastwood) and clear coat seems to suffice for me.

That being said - I'd be dumb not to learn more about it! I'm sure there are some applications for PC that paint just can't match.
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
I'm not knocking powder coating in general - I know it's more durable than paint, but I restore cars professionally and have never powder coated anything. After years of finding all the correct shades for all the various pieces for different cars I'd hate to have to try and find replacements! Proper prep, decent spray can paint (I currently use Dupli-color and Eastwood) and clear coat seems to suffice for me.

I strongly encourage you to look into powder coating. I don't have much experience in concourse restorations but I can imagine it takes some considerable time to get all those exact shades and tones of paint to match the original. To me the biggest issue would be the powder coat look. When done right, you can definitely minimize orange peel but the coating just has a thicker look to it than paint. I don't know if thats allowed or if judges would knock off points for that type of thing.

Anyways, I used to spray paint everything, but after powder coating, the difference is obvious. Spray paint was giving me about a 2 year life. Powder coat seems very comparable to 2k paint finishes on the exterior of cars.
 
Last edited:

240sxguy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
1,157
Location
Madison, wi
I'm not knocking powder coating in general - I know it's more durable than paint, but I restore cars professionally and have never powder coated anything. After years of finding all the correct shades for all the various pieces for different cars I'd hate to have to try and find replacements! Proper prep, decent spray can paint (I currently use Dupli-color and Eastwood) and clear coat seems to suffice for me.

That being said - I'd be dumb not to learn more about it! I'm sure there are some applications for PC that paint just can't match.

If you buy enough powder, many powder companies will do a custom match for you from a sample.

I do my own powdercoating, I don't do a ton of it but it usually turns out reasonably well. I have a small blast cabinet and an eastwood gun setup.

2013-03-28_07-48-02_109_zpseb4be076.jpg
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
If you buy enough powder, many powder companies will do a custom match for you from a sample.

I do my own powdercoating, I don't do a ton of it but it usually turns out reasonably well. I have a small blast cabinet and an eastwood gun setup.

2013-03-28_07-48-02_109_zpseb4be076.jpg

That looks great. You aren't on any powder coating forums are you? The pic looks really familiar?
 

240sxguy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
1,157
Location
Madison, wi
I may have posted it on powder365, I am not sure. I am not very active there (or any PC forum) honestly. They're great for helping out a chump like me though.
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
I may have posted it on powder365, I am not sure. I am not very active there (or any PC forum) honestly. They're great for helping out a chump like me though.

Yeah powder 365 is the best forum out there. I definitely learned alot there.
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
Want to thank everyone for checking out the powder coating blog. Updates on new powder coating topics will be posted frequently. If anyone has a request for a certain topic, just let me know and id be happy to post about it.
 

Toxicscrew

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
296
Location
Saint Louis, MO
Been doing it for 9 years or so now. Had it as main part of biz, but now focus is on custom furniture, etc. I do some work to help the cash flow, but don't really advertise it. Started out with an infrared lamp and EW kit.
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
Been doing it for 9 years or so now. Had it as main part of biz, but now focus is on custom furniture, etc. I do some work to help the cash flow, but don't really advertise it. Started out with an infrared lamp and EW kit.

Do you powder coat your furniture? That is neat furniture btw. I drew up a dining table design awhile back that I think would be pretty cool, just never really got motivated to make it.
 

OpFlash

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
53
Im in the process of a total garage makeover. I have over the past few years purchased everything i need to start powdercoating. Havent had the chance to start yet though once the garage build is finished ill start. I currently have 80 gal compressor, blast cabinet, & parts washer for all the prep work. My PC equipment consists of a home oven and Eastwood dual voltage PC gun.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

J Persons

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Messages
640
Location
Louisiana
I got the EW kit a couple of years ago, but didn't have a garage to set it up in. I recently opened the box to read the instructions, and discovered the EW instructions are lacking in detail somewhat. The blog will certainly come in handy when I get the PC kit set up.
 

4xdog

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
5,598
Location
Santa Fe, NM
So if any one has had a chance to check out the blog, whats your opinion so far?

Your blog doesn't run on my iPad. I don't know if it's the basic organization of the blog or all the advertisements inserted into the text, but it's unreadable by that format.

A 2¢ comment, 'cause you asked...

I'm sorta "meh" on powder coating. It can make a lovely finish, and can be durable to wear. I've not found powder coating to be all that great where corrosion protection is concerned. A small defect will let water get under the polyester coating film and spread. Probably very important to use the right surface treatments prior to powder coating, and rely on those for corrosion protection. I use powder coating on items that need to look nice or are subject to mechanical wear -- not so much for anything that's going to see harsh environmental conditions.

Depending on what kind of car one is restoring, there are places where powder coating reinforces over-the-top concours preparation. It's often done too much, IMHO. Trailered cars that never get driven, with finishes that are a magnitude better than ever done by the factory. An unending arms race of perfection that ends up looking like a pretty lady who's become addicted to plastic surgery.
 

pepi

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
2,883
Location
Woodstock, GA
I strongly encourage you to look into powder coating. I don't have much experience in concourse restorations but I can imagine it takes some considerable time to get all those exact shades and tones of paint to match the original. To me the biggest issue would be the powder coat look. When done right, you can definitely minimize orange peel but the coating just has a thicker look to it than paint. I don't know if thats allowed or if judges would knock off points for that type of thing.

Anyways, I used to spray paint everything, but after powder coating, the difference is obvious. Spray paint was giving me about a 2 year life. Powder coat seems very comparable to 2k paint finishes on the exterior of cars.

Without knowing for sure, meaning trying it. I am not sure power coating is repairable like paint. I have power coating on some supension parts, it gets chipped.

I assume that the piece would need to be blasted and recoated to repair, spot repairs of the finish is not possible as I see it.

Make me eat my words
So power coating while it has its place is not the final answer. "Spray paint was giving me about a 2 year life" let me blow that off the map. I have frame sections from the firewall out exposed. It was sprayed with Rust-Oleum glossy black, 10 years, yes I said 10 years ago, enamel paint. I polish the rails once twice a year, they have maintained the glossy very well and I can if needed do spot repairs.

Not knocking the process just putting some truth in the hype. Any piece that gets power coated better be smooth and cleaned up, just because it is thick does not make the imperfections disappear.
 

CudaChick1968

Member Emeritus
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
1,800
Location
Northwest Tennessee (38230)
I started out doing pulleys and brackets and little stuff on my Cuda in 1999, turned pro and opened my own shop in 2007. I focus on custom one-offs, multi-color jobs and Mopar parts restorations. Many have said that my work is unlike anyone else's in the world. (In fact, our beloved e-tek up there is one of my fans on my shop's FaceBook page so I have a feeling he might be inclined to back me up on this one.)

I have never minced words or been dishonest with anybody and have no intentions to start now. Please take my comments in the spirit that they're intended -- to give you my opinion as you asked in your post.

With the utmost of all due respect 99ish, you have admirable intentions in creating your blog / How-To Guide but with only a year's worth of experience -- and most especially tailoring it toward the newbies of the hobby -- what you're ultimately doing is being "the blind leading the blind." I admit to not reading through your entire blog because I'm already late getting out to the shop and can't devote the time to doing so ... but will also admit I cringed and shook my head more than once in reading what you have authored so far.

I realize you are not claiming to be an expert, you admit you have a long way to go, and I can fully appreciate wanting to learn more about the industry and get better. I share that same fire, passion and extreme devotion every day myself and even after 14+ years will NEVER consider myself an expert ... because that's the day I'll quit learning anything new. But solely in my opinion, devoting so much time to trying to help others get up to speed can be much better spent practicing your craft.

I realize this is pretty harsh, most likely unwelcome (especially coming from a woman), and is no doubt what you didn't want to hear after devoting the time and effort to your Powder Coating Guide, but honey you're reinventing the wheel. As you pointed out yourself, this information you've compiled is from your own extremely limited experience in the grand scheme of things and gleaned mainly from forum posts -- and I know from my own "old days" that most of the guys offering advice on those forums don't have any business trying to teach anybody anything.

I am deeply sorry if my comments are not well taken or considered offensive.
 

4xdog

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
5,598
Location
Santa Fe, NM
Leanna, the photos of your shop's work on the website are astounding. Truly amazing what y'all are doing with powder coats!
 

CudaChick1968

Member Emeritus
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
1,800
Location
Northwest Tennessee (38230)
Thank you 4x!!! I truly appreciate your kind words and taking the time to check out some of my work. There isn't much "ya'll" here though -- Billy builds motors and works on his personal flipping projects but just does blasting and shop maintenance. If I could clone myself a few times I mighttttt get caught up some day. :D
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
I got the EW kit a couple of years ago, but didn't have a garage to set it up in. I recently opened the box to read the instructions, and discovered the EW instructions are lacking in detail somewhat. The blog will certainly come in handy when I get the PC kit set up.

Keep in mind when you do read the eastwood instructions, I am not sure if they changed it yet but there used to be a known flaw in there about starting the timer as soon as you put your part in the oven. Definitely not the right way to do it. The timer should only be started after the part has reached the cure temperature.
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
Your blog doesn't run on my iPad. I don't know if it's the basic organization of the blog or all the advertisements inserted into the text, but it's unreadable by that format.

A 2¢ comment, 'cause you asked...

I'm sorta "meh" on powder coating. It can make a lovely finish, and can be durable to wear. I've not found powder coating to be all that great where corrosion protection is concerned. A small defect will let water get under the polyester coating film and spread. Probably very important to use the right surface treatments prior to powder coating, and rely on those for corrosion protection. I use powder coating on items that need to look nice or are subject to mechanical wear -- not so much for anything that's going to see harsh environmental conditions.

Depending on what kind of car one is restoring, there are places where powder coating reinforces over-the-top concours preparation. It's often done too much, IMHO. Trailered cars that never get driven, with finishes that are a magnitude better than ever done by the factory. An unending arms race of perfection that ends up looking like a pretty lady who's become addicted to plastic surgery.

On your ipad, is all the text jumbled up on top of each other? That is how it displays on my phone and I have been trying to get it sorted out.

As far as the corrosion creeping, are you referring to something that you have had powder coated by a shop or something that came brand new powder coated? From my experience, the custom shops that blast all their work before powder coating, give better corrosion resistance. The rust is less likely to creep when the powder coat is tightly adhered to the rest of the surface because of the blast profile.

I have read that manufactures usually opt to do a conversion coating like an iron phosphate wash in place of blasting because it is more economical, but it does not provide the same adhesion and corrosion resistance.

A better option is a combination of both, blast, then a conversion coating. The best would be zinc plating the parts and then powder coating. Any chip in the powder coating will just expose the zinc which on its own is pretty stopping rust.
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
Without knowing for sure, meaning trying it. I am not sure power coating is repairable like paint. I have power coating on some supension parts, it gets chipped.

I assume that the piece would need to be blasted and recoated to repair, spot repairs of the finish is not possible as I see it.

Make me eat my words
So power coating while it has its place is not the final answer. "Spray paint was giving me about a 2 year life" let me blow that off the map. I have frame sections from the firewall out exposed. It was sprayed with Rust-Oleum glossy black, 10 years, yes I said 10 years ago, enamel paint. I polish the rails once twice a year, they have maintained the glossy very well and I can if needed do spot repairs.

Not knocking the process just putting some truth in the hype. Any piece that gets power coated better be smooth and cleaned up, just because it is thick does not make the imperfections disappear.

Powder coating can be touched up, even with paint. A way to touch it up without disassembling , is to mix powder with MEK, which can chemically cure the powder, then brush it onto the chip. I have done it in the past, and while my skills with a paint brush are lacking, it is not too obvious and it hasn't come off yet.

As for the spray paint, I don't know if spray paint formulas have changed over the years, but before I got into powder coating, I spray painted my front subframe. I went through the whole process, stripped all old paint, removed all rust, self etching primer, and vht $9/can spray paint. Without ever even driving the car, it was trailered from North Carolina to Florida and then kept in a garage. I have barely touched the subframe until recently, I pulled it out and rust is coming through everywhere. It was painted 2 years ago. I could repeat that story for about half the parts in the engine bay. I am glad you had better results, maybe its just because I didn't use rustoleum, but I have had pretty poor results with spray paint all my life.
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
I started out doing pulleys and brackets and little stuff on my Cuda in 1999, turned pro and opened my own shop in 2007. I focus on custom one-offs, multi-color jobs and Mopar parts restorations. Many have said that my work is unlike anyone else's in the world. (In fact, our beloved e-tek up there is one of my fans on my shop's FaceBook page so I have a feeling he might be inclined to back me up on this one.)

I have never minced words or been dishonest with anybody and have no intentions to start now. Please take my comments in the spirit that they're intended -- to give you my opinion as you asked in your post.

With the utmost of all due respect 99ish, you have admirable intentions in creating your blog / How-To Guide but with only a year's worth of experience -- and most especially tailoring it toward the newbies of the hobby -- what you're ultimately doing is being "the blind leading the blind." I admit to not reading through your entire blog because I'm already late getting out to the shop and can't devote the time to doing so ... but will also admit I cringed and shook my head more than once in reading what you have authored so far.

I realize you are not claiming to be an expert, you admit you have a long way to go, and I can fully appreciate wanting to learn more about the industry and get better. I share that same fire, passion and extreme devotion every day myself and even after 14+ years will NEVER consider myself an expert ... because that's the day I'll quit learning anything new. But solely in my opinion, devoting so much time to trying to help others get up to speed can be much better spent practicing your craft.

I realize this is pretty harsh, most likely unwelcome (especially coming from a woman), and is no doubt what you didn't want to hear after devoting the time and effort to your Powder Coating Guide, but honey you're reinventing the wheel. As you pointed out yourself, this information you've compiled is from your own extremely limited experience in the grand scheme of things and gleaned mainly from forum posts -- and I know from my own "old days" that most of the guys offering advice on those forums don't have any business trying to teach anybody anything.

I am deeply sorry if my comments are not well taken or considered offensive.

Thank you for your honest opinion, really. It did kind of ruin my day, lol but still thank you. I have pm'ed you about the things that specifically made you cringe. I would like to get any errors of misinformation fixed immediately. I fully respect your opinion as you have been powder coating longer than I knew it even existed.
 

CudaChick1968

Member Emeritus
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
1,800
Location
Northwest Tennessee (38230)
Thank you for your honest opinion, really. It did kind of ruin my day, lol but still thank you. I have pm'ed you about the things that specifically made you cringe. I would like to get any errors of misinformation fixed immediately. I fully respect your opinion as you have been powder coating longer than I knew it even existed.

You're quite welcome sir. I'm relieved that you're more amicable to understanding than to going off the deep end or getting defensive, and it's appreciated. Even for my so-called "slow" time of the year I have 23 jobs in line; I'll see what I can do about helping you with editing, but it'll be awhile before I can devote a lot of time to it.

Just so you know for your research, powder coating has been in existence for nearly 50 years, though it was mainly reserved for military and large industrial use. It's only been within the last 10-15 years that it's filtered down into the restoration and DIY market, and there are numerous advances in the industry all the time. For instance, it's not just for metal anymore -- wood, mdf, and even swimming pools can be coated nowadays (the swimming pool stuff cures in the sun!!).

Especially with Eastwood's "Own your own business for $100!!" marketing ploy over the last few years and the advent of cheap DIY powder coating equipment from Harbor Freight et al., it now seems there are powder coaters on almost every corner.

The saddest part is that they can provide the equipment and materials needed to do your own stuff ... but they provide NONE of the knowledge or experience needed to do it RIGHT. I call those guys who fall for it "fly by nighters" because they hang up a sign, practice on other people's parts, and then are gone and out of business in six months when their rework outnumbers new jobs and unhappy customers start putting the word out about the lame quality of work. Rather than helping the industry as a whole (such as what the Powder Coating Institute does), in my opinion Eastwood provides more of a disservice to their customers than anything else. It destroys the reputation of the entire industry and makes those who DO know what they're doing suffer for their peers' mistakes.

Anyway, my timer's going off [no rest for the wicked heeee heeehhh]. I wish I could be more help to you but there's only so much time in the day. And daylight's burnin'. :D
 
OP
9

99ishvr4

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
118
Location
Florida
You're quite welcome sir. I'm relieved that you're more amicable to understanding than to going off the deep end or getting defensive, and it's appreciated. Even for my so-called "slow" time of the year I have 23 jobs in line; I'll see what I can do about helping you with editing, but it'll be awhile before I can devote a lot of time to it.

Just so you know for your research, powder coating has been in existence for nearly 50 years, though it was mainly reserved for military and large industrial use. It's only been within the last 10-15 years that it's filtered down into the restoration and DIY market, and there are numerous advances in the industry all the time. For instance, it's not just for metal anymore -- wood, mdf, and even swimming pools can be coated nowadays (the swimming pool stuff cures in the sun!!).

Especially with Eastwood's "Own your own business for $100!!" marketing ploy over the last few years and the advent of cheap DIY powder coating equipment from Harbor Freight et al., it now seems there are powder coaters on almost every corner.

The saddest part is that they can provide the equipment and materials needed to do your own stuff ... but they provide NONE of the knowledge or experience needed to do it RIGHT. I call those guys who fall for it "fly by nighters" because they hang up a sign, practice on other people's parts, and then are gone and out of business in six months when their rework outnumbers new jobs and unhappy customers start putting the word out about the lame quality of work. Rather than helping the industry as a whole (such as what the Powder Coating Institute does), in my opinion Eastwood provides more of a disservice to their customers than anything else. It destroys the reputation of the entire industry and makes those who DO know what they're doing suffer for their peers' mistakes.

Anyway, my timer's going off [no rest for the wicked heeee heeehhh]. I wish I could be more help to you but there's only so much time in the day. And daylight's burnin'. :D

No problem at all, I was taught a long time ago that when someone knows more than you, to shut up and listen.

As for how long its been around, I meant that 15 years ago, I had no idea what powder coating was. I have read about the inventor and its first uses. I first learned about it in 2005 when it seemed to get its big break into the custom automotive world and was touted as "the bullet proof coating." I wouldnt go as far to say its bullet proof, but for something easily applied at home, its very tough.


I do have a post on my blog on other uses of powder coating but I was unaware of it being used in pools. I didnt think there was a powder formula out there that could be cured just sitting outside. I will have to look into that.

I have my own opinions on Eastwood as well, more so how they are just a re-labler of products and stick a ridiculous price tag on it. They even sell some of the same harbor freight tools marked up x10 on their site. I really disagree with them selling powder coating guns for business use. I feel like powder coating is something you should want to learn for your own uses, and then if you get good enough at it, you can start doing customer work. I know that the $100 for a set of wheels guys on craigslsit hurt real powder coating shops and that is not who I am aiming this guide to at all. My main intent is diy powder coating for your own uses, I made the guide so it would be easier for those people.

I realize the fly by night coaters can follow my guide the same as the diy"ers, but I dont thing the guides existince is going to help them the way it would help someone thatt actually wants to learn it for themselves.

If you helped me with editing, that would be great, I understand your busy though. Thanks again.
 

patrickn

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
273
Location
State of Confussion, somewhere in Indiana
I've researched and checked out Cudachick's powdercoating and all I can say is that she does awesome work!
In fact about to send out an order with her.
There is only one place around here locally that does it and to be frank, I can do better with a rattle can than what I've seen of their work.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom