First try...

[Guest]

Well, I managed to find myself a toaster oven today. Which meant time to try out my new gun. Had a few odds and ends laying around begging to be a different color. I blasted a piston, stuck it in the oven at 400 for 20 min or so then cleaned it again and shot it. I'm pleased with the results. A little orange peeled, but passable for the first try, I think. What causes orange peel? Not bad orange peel. You can only see it if you look at the reflection a certain way. I snapped a pic, but the lighting wasn't great for snapping a close up pic of somthing glossy black. Thanks to all who have offered advice. And thanks to all those who did more than offer advice. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to shoot some of the chrome with a clear coat. Advice on that would be welcome.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

Ok, so either try less powder or more powder, got it! I'll play around and experiment tomorrow. When you say heating the part too slowly, I'm not sure how to control that. Do I put the part in the hot oven or in the cold oven? If the instructions for the powder say 15 minutes at 400, does that mean 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven, or 15 minutes after the part hits 400? It too long better than not long enough?

For the chrome/clear, I'm guessing I spray the chrome like normal, then spray the clear while the chrome is still hot? Any surface prep considerations with the chrome? Does the part have to be extra smooth or is the surface left by blasting smooth enough?

One more thing.. I went to that site, I tried to get the Powder Coating manual. Link was broken.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

If the instructions for the powder say 15 minutes at 400, does that mean 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven, or 15 minutes after the part hits 400?

You want the start the timer after the part reaches 400 degrees.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

I have it on disk and my puter. I will email it to you if you want. PM me your addy.

[wiseguyz]

Re: First try...

Looks really good to me, nitsuj. Remember that some powders will just inherently leave a certain amount of orange peel. On the mirrors, its likely a bit too much powder causing it.

When you to to shoot the clear over your fully cured chrome base, just let the part cool down some before you try to clear it, or you will likely get too much powder on it. If you shoot it totally hot, you'll notice the powder will flow instantly, and it is very difficult to judge how thick you're getting it until you see it start running. You can give it a very quick once-over while it is hot like that, then let it cool down a bit so you can see the powder sticking and apply until you get a nice even frosty white color. Cure as normal. I have better luck with clears if I don't go too heavy.

Best of luck.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

also, keep in mind that the heat-up time should be gradual to allow the powder to flow out slowly and smooth

[Guest]

Re: First try...

Not happy with how the chrome turned out. It's not terrible, just not really shiny. But maybe I started with too dull of a piece. I also managed to get some dust in it somehow. That was my fault. Oh well, try try again.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

Of course I'm not sure. I have all of 10 minutes total powder coating experience. But it called for 15 min at 400 and thats what I did.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

Of course I'm not sure. I have all of 10 minutes total powder coating experience. But it called for 15 min at 400 and thats what I did.

According to your math it sounds like you under cured it by 5 minutes LOL... jk man.

Good job on the first try. Keep doing small samples and you'll get better at it.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

Great job!! Keep at don't lose faith it will come and we al will be here if you need help.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

Looks good man keep it up,and dont give up .

[Guest]

Re: First try...

Of course I'm not sure. I have all of 10 minutes total powder coating experience. But it called for 15 min at 400 and thats what I did.

Who's chrome powder?

PBTP.

[Guest]

Re: First try...

I think the bag said extreme chrome or something like that. It was dull before the clear. I thought the clear would shine it up. Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible. If I wanted a silver part, it would do. It's just not chrome like. I'll snap a pic later. I've shot 2 more colors since then. Both of those turned out ok. I sprayed a silver and wandered if you could wet sand and buff it to a higher shine. I didn't work well for me. What I'm really impressed by is how much of an imperfection in the substrate the powder will cover. With paint, you can see every mark. The powder really hides a lot.

I'm starting from scratch here, so I'm happy with the results I've gotten so far. I'm hoping to find someone local who does good work and watch him coat something and pick his brain a bit. I think seeing it done right would be a big help.

[wiseguyz]

Re: First try...

The only colors you can wet sand and buff with any success at all are the clears, translucents, candies and solid colors. You can't do silvers, golds, chromes, or metallics (basically anything with metallic content) unless you've cleared over them (then of course, you're doing the clear).

[Guest]

Re: First try...

That explains it then, it wasn't a solid silver. It was a metallic. Silver Stardust I think they call it. Can I put another coat on top of it, or do I need to blast it again?

And hey, how are you guys cleaning out your cups for a quick color change? A coating stays in the cup when you dump it out. I've been blowing it out and wiping it with a rag. Tried some thinner once, seemed to work ok, but no better than the air and rag method. And is blowing the gun out good an acceptable method of cleaning it between colors, or does the whole gun have to be stripped?