I have been powder coating for about 3years, not even in the same leauge as cuddachick, I make alot of signs and "Garden Bugs" got tired of waiting on the PC'r so started teaching myself, it's been a fairly steep learing curve, but i'm getting there. Here are a few examples.
Powder Coating?
- Thread starter 99ishvr4
- Start date
NHBandit
Well-known member
IONH
Well-known member
I replaced my electric range with a double in wall oven and kept the old range, planning to use it for a PC oven. It's sat outside for a couple years now under a tarp, but still a possibility. Also, I have a generator outlet outside so I can probably rig up an adapter to go from that to the oven and even though it's only 30A, just the oven should be OK I think.
I'm making an adjustable seat bracket for a recumbent I'm building and I think it may be small enough to fit in a toaster oven if I don't want to go through the trouble of setting up the plug adapter to the generator outlet. I've had a HF PC gun for years and tried it a couple times with a toaster oven on small parts and it worked well for a novice like myself. Don't have that toaster oven anymore though so not sure if the adapter harness for an oven which may no longer even work is worth the hassle over just buying another toaster oven.
I'm making an adjustable seat bracket for a recumbent I'm building and I think it may be small enough to fit in a toaster oven if I don't want to go through the trouble of setting up the plug adapter to the generator outlet. I've had a HF PC gun for years and tried it a couple times with a toaster oven on small parts and it worked well for a novice like myself. Don't have that toaster oven anymore though so not sure if the adapter harness for an oven which may no longer even work is worth the hassle over just buying another toaster oven.
subarub4
Well-known member
yep that happened to me when I first started.. I had some matte black powder and it was still wet looking when the timer was done.. It had to go in for like another 10 min.
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Guys, one of the smallest and best investments in your own work will be an infrared temperature gun. Cure times don't start until the substrate (the metal itself) gets to the temperature indicated by your powder supplier, not when the oven gets to that temp. Without knowing how hot your metal is, all you're doing is guessing about your cure times ... undercuring and overcuring the parts are both bad news and will give you problems in the future.
mce, I like your little bugs, especially that 'fade' in the middle. Nicely done!
mce, I like your little bugs, especially that 'fade' in the middle. Nicely done!
subarub4
Well-known member
Yeah I have a IR temp gun but I did not have it with me at the time..
what I need is to get a powder thickness gauge.. why in the hell do they need to sell a $5 tool for like $200? it's nothing but a magnet and a stick gauge.
So for the time being I've been guessing the biggest thing I've done was my wheels to my Subaru, I ended stripping and blasting the stock wheels and doing a satin black on them, since they are for winter only I was not too **** on how the lip area looked but I noticed a little chipage.
Otherwise they are holding up well.. 6 months on the car and that's way better then the rattle can.
what I need is to get a powder thickness gauge.. why in the hell do they need to sell a $5 tool for like $200? it's nothing but a magnet and a stick gauge.
So for the time being I've been guessing the biggest thing I've done was my wheels to my Subaru, I ended stripping and blasting the stock wheels and doing a satin black on them, since they are for winter only I was not too **** on how the lip area looked but I noticed a little chipage.
Otherwise they are holding up well.. 6 months on the car and that's way better then the rattle can.
j p smith
Well-known member
99, I don't know if you have looked at the "Redhead with a Hot Rod" website but she ROCKS. I have been in a position where I responsible for getting parts & pieces powder coated for our saw cutting machines and I tried several places in the Phoenix area. They talk the talk but she does it. When you look at the multi colors she does and know what it takes to get there you realize what amount of effort she puts into her work. If I had something special to do I would send it to her. The valve covers she does are absolutely beautiful. There are a lot of people that started out doing something for themselves and thought they could go into business, some make it, some don't. The ones that make it really have to work at it to get to pay off.Later, Jeff
This is unsolicited. (but Leanna I would accept of those cool calendars, just saying)
This is unsolicited. (but Leanna I would accept of those cool calendars, just saying)
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When I first got my oven, I used my air compressor outlet which is on a 30amp circuit and the oven never tripped it. Just incase you decide to go that route. But toaster ovens are $10 on craigslist.
Yeah, I checked out the site and she does do some beautiful work.
IONH
Well-known member
Thanks.
My generator outlet is actually back feeding through my 60 gallon compressor disconnect box.
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Holy cow, what a way to start off the weekend!!!
Jeff, for not even being a customer I couldn't ask for a more wonderful review. Thank you kindly sir. If I had a leftover poster I'd have one out to you in the mail already. 
There've been a few requests for a 2014 edition so I'll add ya to the list if it works out. < curtsey >One thing I have to clarify though, my shop is NOT in Phoenix! It's in northwest Tennessee (yeahhh, BFE) and is named that only because of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 changing everything we knew about life, and having to 'rise from the ashes' and start over somewhere else. Before that, I worked for lawyers for 20 years as a paralegal.
I truly appreciate the compliments but ya'll flatter me too much. I'm just an old lady with a used car who's always loved art. I'm still thankful every day of my life that people actually pay me to do this stuff. I love it, am more passionate about it than almost everything else, and haven't really worked a single day since I started. Thanks for the kind words << hugs all around >>
That is great that you have an IR temp already, but never let it leave your side while your curing the powder.
For anyone else who wants to know more about them or why its needed for powder coating, I have an article on them:
powdercoatguide.blogspot.com/2012/12/ir-thermometer.html
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Another new post for those interested.
Also the site is now reachable at www.powdercoatguide.com
The old link works too though.
Also the site is now reachable at www.powdercoatguide.com
The old link works too though.
Toxicscrew
Well-known member
I do coat some of it, just depends on the piece/customer. Most of my coating lately has been motorcycle oriented. It doesn't make it to the website, but I post them on the FB page.
I have been working a on side project couch table, it's bright orange with natural pine center (yeah, not much of a description-it's not ready for pics just yet though). I have tons of ideas for tables/chairs/etc, that will never see the light of day. Just keep dreaming them up and you'll hit the one you want to build.
Thanks for the compliment.
I sent you a friend request on your FB page. I am really liking the custom furniture, so I will be following along
4v shane
Well-known member
The custom jobs break up the boring ness of batch jobs but
Batch jobs pay bills!
More of my work can be viewed here:
https://www.facebook.com/Fabcoat
Batch jobs pay bills!
More of my work can be viewed here:
https://www.facebook.com/Fabcoat
Metal-Marc
Well-known member
Thanks. Bavarian Silver and 95% gloss clear.
Hephaestus29
Well-known member
What kind of by-products or waste is there with powder coating that the EPA or the local government or city would be concerned with for air pollutants, ground water pollutants, etc., v/s Paint ???????
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
None yet Hephaestus, except for those who have very large facilities ... and most of the existing regulations concern blasting rather than the powders themselves. These are the high points from The Powder Coating Institute's "Environmental Impact" section:
'Powders have almost negligible / very low VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) and HAPs (hazardous air pollutants) ... powder coatings contain no solvents ... powder coating is a clean process, allowing exhaust air from the coating booth to be returned to the plant, and less oven air is exhausted to the outside. Heating and cooling costs are eliminated for make-up air and the cost for maintaining oven temperatures is minimized ... powder overspray can be retrieved and reused (I personally don't though) ... unused powder can be reclaimed and returned to a hopper for recirculation through the system, with negligible waste.'
'Powders have almost negligible / very low VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) and HAPs (hazardous air pollutants) ... powder coatings contain no solvents ... powder coating is a clean process, allowing exhaust air from the coating booth to be returned to the plant, and less oven air is exhausted to the outside. Heating and cooling costs are eliminated for make-up air and the cost for maintaining oven temperatures is minimized ... powder overspray can be retrieved and reused (I personally don't though) ... unused powder can be reclaimed and returned to a hopper for recirculation through the system, with negligible waste.'
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Nice work Shane! I just spent a half hour checking out your FaceBook fan page. I dig that white bike ...
I dig that white bike ...Hephaestus29
Well-known member
Thanks for the info, I'm a Mopar fan BTW. Used to have a 73 Cuda'
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Awesome! Friend Request being sent in five, four, three, two ..........
Always happy to help out if I can.
Always happy to help out if I can.
4v shane
Well-known member
Thanks!Nice work Shane! I just spent a half hour checking out your FaceBook fan page.
Im a fan of your work as well miss!
4v shane
Well-known member
my only complaint with doing white is A. huge chance of contamination from other powders that have been sprayed prior along with yellow. B. White shows everything along with the high high gloss blacks!.
4v shane
Well-known member
Nice, do you polish also?
It takes me so long to polish aluminum that by the time I'm done, I'm hesitant to cover it up with powder,lol. But that manifold looks great.
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
If you're going to powder coat, you need a buffer too. They just go together
If you're going to powder coat, you need a buffer too. They just go together
Agreed, I actually polished before I powder coated. I guess I should say sanding aluminum instead of polishing. Ill spend all day sanding down the casting, but then the polishing takes like 20 minutes.
4v shane
Well-known member
Depending on Cast part a blaster can speed up the process
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Mike, are you looking to get those calipers polished or powder coated in a similar color?
* * *
Duhhh, polishing cast iron?!?! Sorry -- I'm coming down with something and am obviously not thinking straight. I guess even redheads have occasional blonde moments.
* * *
Duhhh, polishing cast iron?!?! Sorry -- I'm coming down with something and am obviously not thinking straight. I guess even redheads have occasional blonde moments.
Ive heard this before, but when I try to research it more, I read it'll just make more work for me. Whats your method? Glass beads?
Thanks
CudaChick, I would grind the rough castings down to smooth them up and then send them to be coated in a bright finish similar to the polished aluminum fronts. Is that possible? They are cast iron so don't know how polished they can get.
Mike
Mike
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Mike, I figured that out about a half second after I posted my question. ("Oh ****, he said cast iron ...." Yeah, I can be a **** sometimes LOL!!! )
Anyway, yes -- it's not only possible but routine. I can't speak for these other guys responding to this thread, but my invoices detail more bodywork and clean up than anything else since I try to get your metal as close to perfect as possible first before any powders get pointed at it. Cast iron typically has a lot of slag and rough edges but it also produces some of the most beautiful powder coated finishes possible.
Here's a few "before" and "after" pictures of an old cast iron dinner bell to illustrate my points ... owwwww, watch out -- some of 'em are sharp too dang it.
My powder supplier has over 6,500 colors, textures and finishes to choose from, and the ability to custom-match your sample too in the unlikely event they don't already make the exact color you need. Matching your polished aluminum shouldn't be too difficult at all.
Keep in mind though that most silver / gold / chrome looking powders are not UV stable on their own ... since your calipers are going to be subjected to the elements they will also have to be cleared to provide that needed UV protection or you'll end up having to polish them in the future (because there's real metal in the powder).
I bill at $25/hour and quote every job individually to be fair to everybody. If you can email me some good pictures of the calipers, I'll get back to you with a quote. (I've also got the paperwork here on my desk to formally get on board with the GJ Alliance to be able to offer ya'll a discount too ... just because the members of this board have been so helpful to me in the past, and I fully believe in Paying It Forward.
) Feel free to give me a call if you have other questions or want to discuss details.Cuda, these calipers are brand new in the box,so they are clean. Would you want them with all the parts (pistons,etc.) removed? I'm thinking yes you would. I'll try to get you some pics after I get home tonight. Thanks for your replies.
Mike
Mike
Mike, I figured that out about a half second after I posted my question. ("Oh ****, he said cast iron ...." Yeah, I can be a **** sometimes LOL!!! )
Anyway, yes -- it's not only possible but routine. I can't speak for these other guys responding to this thread, but my invoices detail more bodywork and clean up than anything else since I try to get your metal as close to perfect as possible first before any powders get pointed at it. Cast iron typically has a lot of slag and rough edges but it also produces some of the most beautiful powder coated finishes possible.
Here's a few "before" and "after" pictures of an old cast iron dinner bell to illustrate my points ... owwwww, watch out -- some of 'em are sharp too dang it.
My powder supplier has over 6,500 colors, textures and finishes to choose from, and the ability to custom-match your sample too in the unlikely event they don't already make the exact color you need. Matching your polished aluminum shouldn't be too difficult at all.
Keep in mind though that most silver / gold / chrome looking powders are not UV stable on their own ... since your calipers are going to be subjected to the elements they will also have to be cleared to provide that needed UV protection or you'll end up having to polish them in the future (because there's real metal in the powder).
I bill at $25/hour and quote every job individually to be fair to everybody. If you can email me some good pictures of the calipers, I'll get back to you with a quote. (I've also got the paperwork here on my desk to formally get on board with the GJ Alliance to be able to offer ya'll a discount too ... just because the members of this board have been so helpful to me in the past, and I fully believe in Paying It Forward.
What about actually sanding all of the casting and polishing the calipers completely like you would aluminum calipers and using a clear powder to protect from rust. I feel like that would look a little closer than any polished aluminum or chrome powder could. I realize the clear would not have much to grab to because the polished surface would be much smoother than a blasted piece, but people do this with polished aluminum all the time to prevent oxidation and I have yet to see the clear peel off. Just a suggestion for you and Mike. I have polished cast iron exhaust manifolds to a mirror finish before and surprisingly, they have not rusted yet without any protective coating, however they have not been put into service yet. Just polishing them alone seems to have made them less likely to rust. Polishing them + clear and I would think they would do pretty good. Of course it would be much more labor intensive than chrome powder & clear, therefore more expensive for Mike.
CudaChick1968
Member Emeritus
Oh that is so cool! Can you show off one of your polished manifolds?? I'd love to see it. After all that work (I know it had to be a drag lol), I sure hope it holds up to the heat once they get used. I've never tried to polish cast iron ... might have to now though!
Great idea on the polishing idea for the calipers too 99. Unless he wants to set them off (haven't seen the wheels so I don't have an opinion), they'd match the rest a lot better. Assuming the ride isn't a serious race car, a good clear should last a long time and keep Mike from having to polish everything all the time.
Great idea on the polishing idea for the calipers too 99. Unless he wants to set them off (haven't seen the wheels so I don't have an opinion
), they'd match the rest a lot better. Assuming the ride isn't a serious race car, a good clear should last a long time and keep Mike from having to polish everything all the time.