Author Topic: Powder Coating (Read 5777 times)

TexasRedNeck · « **on:** October 19, 2019, 06:17:26 PM »

So a while back I bought a HF media blast cabinet and a used oven off CL to get into powder coating. The HF cabinet has been nothing but trouble from day one. It simply would not suction the media and my compressor was producing a lot of water because of the humidity.

So I added a transmission cooler to the compressor along with an automatic draining water separator. It works wonders for reducing water in the lines.

And after a lot of research I bought a TP tools Scat media blaster gun and pick up tube which has a Siamese tube with a vent to allow air to enter and help the flow of media.

Today I got it all installed and out some new glass bead media in it and it flows really well. The only issue is that I can tell to do any real work on pieces of any size I’m gonna need to step up the compressor to a 5-7hp twin. I sized the nozzle for my compressor and my compressor keeps up but it just doesn’t have the volume necessary to really get pieces done quickly.

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stlaser · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2019, 06:22:48 PM »

Might consider larger bulk storage of air, we’ve added tanks and also large diameter line around perimeter of shop to help in that regards in the past.

I’ve currently got a neighbor who doesn’t mind blasting stuff for beer. However he is moving at end of next year so I may have to buy a cabinet and setup....

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2019, 06:25:48 PM »

So my first project is to strip and powder coat the lanterns on the front porch. I thought about just buying new ones but at more than $600 each ....no thanks.

I completely disassembled them and pulled all the wiring and sockets out. The have a very excellent primer base which may be powder coat. The metallic finish on them has uv faded pretty bad in 10 years.

So I started media blasting with glass
Beads instead of aluminum oxide since the lanterns are made of aluminum and I didn’t want to eat away at the aluminum.

It took nearly an hour to do this one piece which is the bottom and much smaller than the top piece.

The finish came off easy but to get the primer coat off down to the bare metal was very time consuming.

I’m going to consider using aircraft paint stripper and see if that cuts down on the labor. If it takes all the paint and primer off them I can media blast for finish and any residual paint or primer.

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TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2019, 06:28:09 PM »

Once I get it stripped and blasted I’ll break out the powder gun and get it coated and baked.

I need to order the oil rubbed bronze powder

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hammer7896 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2019, 09:31:56 PM »

TP tools is only about a half hour from me. Pretty neat place.

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TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2019, 08:42:48 PM »

so after much reading on powdercoating aluminum, I'm not sure if I need to primer first. One site talks about phosphate wash to stop the oxidation and then primer and then powder. Looking into it.

Ordered primer powder and finish powder and stopped by Sherwin Williams to get the paint stripper

JR · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2019, 02:33:45 AM »

What size AC do you have?

My HF works ok and there are fixes like the items you bought.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2019, 06:34:02 AM »

30 gal 2.5hp single cylinder

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2019, 10:33:00 AM »

No crap, I am going to nominate Tex for the DEOE award

(Definitive expert on everything)

I mean, folks, have you ever seen this texas boy get into anything that he didn't master? That he didn't finish to a degree that is professional or beyond? That isn't over the top?

From plasterin' to floorin', from cookin' to shootin', from hide sitein' to campin', and from general counsel to the subtle nudge...This one fella purdy much does it all

Can I get an ah-men?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2019, 10:33:57 AM »

No crap

Strike that

Should read:

No schiff,...

;-)

JR · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2019, 12:00:06 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on October 21, 2019, 06:34:02 AM

30 gal 2.5hp single cylinder

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That needs an upgrade for sure. Way to small for any blasting.

I went with 80gal 5hp which has kept up fine, but still needs a dryer.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2019, 02:41:02 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on October 21, 2019, 10:33:00 AM

No crap, I am going to nominate Tex for the DEOE award

(Definitive expert on everything)

I mean, folks, have you ever seen this texas boy get into anything that he didn't master? That he didn't finish to a degree that is professional or beyond? That isn't over the top?

From plasterin' to floorin', from cookin' to shootin', from hide sitein' to campin', and from general counsel to the subtle nudge...This one fella purdy much does it all

Can I get an ah-men?

But I suck at golf.

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wilsonphil · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2019, 04:07:43 PM »

The problem with powder coating AL is it out gasses during cure, you can help by prebaking but you still might end up with very small bubbles in the finish.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2019, 05:16:35 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on October 21, 2019, 02:41:02 PM

Quote from: Flyin6 on October 21, 2019, 10:33:00 AM
No crap, I am going to nominate Tex for the DEOE award

(Definitive expert on everything)

I mean, folks, have you ever seen this texas boy get into anything that he didn't master? That he didn't finish to a degree that is professional or beyond? That isn't over the top?

From plasterin' to floorin', from cookin' to shootin', from hide sitein' to campin', and from general counsel to the subtle nudge...This one fella purdy much does it all

Can I get an ah-men?
But I suck at golf.

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^^^ Humble, too!

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2019, 06:23:48 AM »

Quote from: wilsonphil on October 21, 2019, 04:07:43 PM

The problem with powder coating AL is it out gasses during cure, you can help by prebaking but you still might end up with very small bubbles in the finish.

Thanks Phil. I also read that pre treating with some phosphate wash converts the surface chemically that keeps the “white rust” away. Any experience with that? Trying to find out more about it and a suitable product for home use.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2019, 01:58:18 PM »

Has nothing to do with powder coating, but in aircraft, aluminum surfaces are painted with zinc chromate or zinc phosphate

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/tmpo-a701.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA%20-%20Shopping&utm_term=4582352149331673&utm_content=Product%20Type

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/ptiprimers.php?msclkid=5c85e8058bb91199f4c7b5aac972e821&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CPCS%20-%20Shopping%20-%20NB%20-%20Desktop&utm_term=4580977758698486&utm_content=All%20Products

wilsonphil · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2019, 03:34:52 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on October 22, 2019, 06:23:48 AM

Quote from: wilsonphil on October 21, 2019, 04:07:43 PM
The problem with powder coating AL is it out gasses during cure, you can help by prebaking but you still might end up with very small bubbles in the finish.
Thanks Phil. I also read that pre treating with some phosphate wash converts the surface chemically that keeps the “white rust” away. Any experience with that? Trying to find out more about it and a suitable product for home use.

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No not typically, usually we just use an a metal prep like Aluma Prep or Simple green/Brulin very good rinse and then prebake, out of oven spray powder and right back in the oven. The alloy has a bunch to do with it also, if you have a sample of the material you can do some test/experiment runs to see what the finished product looks. It you have cast material you have to very careful on all fronts. AL is just one of those metals that out gases

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2019, 11:04:51 PM »

Thanks Phil. Pretty sure it’s cast. What extra steps do you advise?

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TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2019, 06:45:03 PM »

Well I forged ahead. Used a zinc powdered primer for the base coat then the bronze.

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JR · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2019, 06:52:29 PM »

Looks good!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2019, 07:10:00 PM »

Not bad!

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2019, 07:20:18 PM »

Thanks, Whatever primer was on this thing was amazingly hard. I tested a piece where I just removed the topcoat with the glass beads and then shot the bronze over the top. Came out good. That will certainly speed things up for me not to have to take it all the way down to the aluminum..

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JR · « **Reply #22 on:** October 26, 2019, 09:47:07 PM »

Was probably something outlawed now.

Like most real auto paint.

EL TATE · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2019, 01:47:32 PM »

Quote from: JR on October 26, 2019, 09:47:07 PM

Was probably something outlawed now.

Like most real auto paint.

x2

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2019, 10:04:16 PM »

So, in case you guys didn’t know, a new EPA regulation is about to take effect in 3 days that outlaws Methylene Chloride for non industrial/commercial use. Won’t be able to buy it. So the “good” paint stripper is about to become out of reach.

I’m ordering 5-10 gallons. The good stuff in high concentration that will dissolve powder coat in 4 minutes submerged.

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Nate · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2019, 10:30:03 PM »

And where can one get this....lol

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #26 on:** October 28, 2019, 10:31:04 PM »

https://www.mitpowdercoatings.com/benco-b17-5-gallons/

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