Powder Coating Kit

[Junbug]

What kits did folks buy that decided to do their own powder coating? I'm sending my big aluminum out to a pro, but I'd like to see if its worthwhile to do smaller accessories/parts myself. I understand part of the restriction is what can you fit in you oven and I've got a microwave size toaster oven that goes to 450 degrees, and I'm contemplating picking up a full size electric oven from craigslist.
It seems the basic things you need are an air compressor, spray/gun kit, powder and an oven?
Thanks!
-Bryan

[michael everson]

I have been using the same Eastwood gun for years. Maybe 15 years or more. Works great. Was $99.00 back when I bought it.
Mike
https://www.eastwood.com/pcs250-dual-voltage-hotcoat-powder-gun.html

[Jeff33Ford]

I bought this gun. I talked with the guy and it is easy to get parts since he makes a lot of them himself. I have used a few "cheaper" ones and this blows them away. Having the adj helps in getting in tight corners.
https://www.powdercoatpro.com/product/powder-coating-kit-80kv-powder-coat-gun-home-small-business-powder-coating-system/

I made a large oven that breaks down for storage and also use a regular oven for small parts. It has saved me a LOT of money so far. Easily paying for the oven I made.
I think there are a few more pics in my build thread.
180574

[CraigS]

I know powder is usually thought to be the best coating system but how much better than well done 2 part epoxy paint is it really? Have any of you tried ceracote? It is a huge deal in the gun world with quite a few manufacturers using it to offer optional colors. This parts supplier has a good explanation of how it works.
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/cerakote/gunsmithing.html

[Railroad]

While shopping for an oven, consider one with a glass, see through door. Also a lighted oven is nice.
I had the glass door, but moved up to a larger oven, solid door. That is when I realized the lost advantage.
You can make sure the powder is cured before opening the door and losing a lot of your heat.

[Lidodrip]

I have a Redline EZ50 gun. I have had good success with it, but agree with some of the reviews online that it is cheaply made. I don't have experience with any other guns.

Each powder will have instructions as to what temperature and duration they require for baking. In general, most will fall in the 400 degree range. Keep in mind that the temperature listed is not the oven temperature, but the temperature of the object you are coating. Once your object gets to the specified temperature, then you start counting time. Objects with more mass will take longer to reach temperature (and cool as well). You will need to get an infrared thermometer to measure surface temperatures.

You will want an oil and moisture filter on your compressor if you don't have one already. You need a good grounding connection for the object being powder coated. Depending on what material you are coating, preparation will be different. Aluminum tends to be straightforward, but if you are doing cast iron, you might want to look at getting some iron phosphate solution.

I sent out my large aluminum pieces for professional coating, but I have found having a powder coat setup very useful for small parts, including the stock brake calipers, hinge parts, custom brackets, etc. I prefer powder coating to paint because it is more durable than most paints, there is a huge selection of colors, it is easy to do (single step powders) and very easy to clean up. The biggest limitation is that it needs to fit in an oven. I am very envious of Jeff33Ford's oven - maybe my next project!

James

[PNWTim]

I used that same Eastwood kit for years with a free roadside oven. Coated anything and everything that would fit in the oven. I am on the fence though. The one downside to powder coated items (at least from my perspective) is you cant easily repair it like you can with paint. The PC also makes the part just slightly larger so keep that in mind if it's tight fitting.

[Bob Cowan]

Like Mike, I'v been using the same Eastwood for 15-20 years. Also using a standard kitchen oven I picked up really cheap.

IMO, PC is a much better coating than a 2 part epoxy for almost anything. It's more durable than anything you can spray on. And, from finished prep to ready to install is about an hour. With most spray on products, it is much longer - sometimes even days.

[rich grsc]

Like Mike, I'v been using the same Eastwood for 15-20 years. Also using a standard kitchen oven I picked up really cheap.

IMO, PC is a much better coating than a 2 part epoxy for almost anything. It's more durable than anything you can spray on. And, from finished prep to ready to install is about an hour. With most spray on products, it is much longer - sometimes even days.
PowderCoating is great and very durable, as well as being easy to use. It's not as tuff as Ceracote though. It has been used in the firearms industry for serval years now, and is as close to indestructible as I've seen. It can withstand very high heat (1800-2000*), and even gun solvents don't hurt it. Not as cheap and easy as PC though.

[Railroad]

I tried some spray paint made for painting plastic to touch up powder coated items. Colors may be limited, but seems to adhere and cover well.

[Lidodrip]

You can do small touch ups if needed, provided the part can be removed and put in the oven again. Use a Q-Tip to apply powder on the area that needs touching up and re-bake. I had to touch up my rear calipers after I needed to grind down a small amount of the leading edge that was just touching the inside of the wheel (won't make that mistake again).

Painful grinding into the new powder coat:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180740&d=1677358244

All good after touch up:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=180741&d=1677358244

James

[Junbug]

Thanks all! Very helpful and informative.
-Bryan