DTSFab.com (Desert, Trail and Sand)
The Machine Shop => Tools/Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: fabr on October 26, 2009, 08:24:33 PM
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Who's doing it on here and do you wanna share tips and tricks?
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I had mine done but I will share what I learned. Contact your powder coater for a referance for a blaster or what type of media they suggest. I was told some medias leave a residue that is bad for the powder to adhear to. You may find a all in one shop where atleast you would get out of a potential pass the buck deal.
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I bought a small unit and am looking for any DON'T DO THIS!!!! type of stuff. I do know that ,just like paint, prep is all important to success.
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Sounds like you have it undercontrol then.
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there's always something though that can trip you up.Just looking for any tips and pointers.
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I have mine done, but have a tip. I find that I prefer tapping holes after rather than having them plugged. The plugs leave a tail sometimes that has to be cut off. You see the results of that. If you tap the holes, the powder coat is clean right up to the hole edge.
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I bought one of those "Cheapy" units also, but was not too impressed with it.
The problem I found was that the spray patern was in the shape of a tube. Meaning that the powder would come out "doughnut" shaped, and it wasted lots of powder.
Also, these guns do not lay the powder down evenly. For basic black this may not be an issue, but if you try and spray some of the fancy colours you'll run into problems.
A buddy of mine bought the high end gun, and sprays very evenly, but it was almost $600.
Here's what I did ;
Since I already had the power supply from the cheapy gun, I figured I would make my own gun.
I copied the everything from the expensive gun AFTER the trigger, and adapted it to mine. It was all made from round Nylon, and took no time at all on a lathe. My gun now lays powder down perfectly, and I don't have that annoying "doughnut" shaped pattern anymore.
As far as any secrets to powder coating, my best advice is not to overheat your job or else the finish will be cloudy.
Another tip ( I haven't tried this yet ) that was told to me by a professional powder coater was how to remove any cured powder. Some will say that you have to sandblast it off, but he mentioned that they use oven cleaner.
Dan
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i bought the Eastwood unit. Is that what you bought or the HF cheapie?
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I bought the Eastwood.
If I get a chance in the morning I'll take a picture of the mods I made and post them here.
I had this picture of the oven that I modified.
I removed the top burners, and made a frame to hold the tray that goes in the oven. I like hanging my parts, so if they fit below the tray without touching the top of the oven, I'll know that they will fit inside.
It's hard to see the gun, but this picture was taken before the mods.
Dan
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dtsfab.com%2Findex%2FMGalleryItem.php%3Fid%3D737&hash=c3fa01ef25b921658748b07e78bb95e342b7fd16)
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That'd be really cool of ya!
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My wife is a painter and got the chance to do some PC for an industrial customer. Thought we'd start out small,the customers quality requirements are servicable,not cosmetic. Did your unit come with the different nozzles/diffusers?
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I have a cheapy powder coating gun. It has paid for itself already with doing small parts. The cheap ones do not lay the powder evenly and waste some. One thing that is nice is hot coating. Heating the part. The shooting it and then the curing in an oven. You can control how thick you want the coating before final cure.
My one friend who did powder coating as a side job even used the large propane space heaters to do larger items.
A no touch thermometer is priceless for this type of work.
chris
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cool tips guys
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Here's a couple of pics after modifications.
The main difference is where the powder exits the nozzle. I have to admit my wife was getting pretty excited when I was turning this thing up on the lathe , until I told her it didn't vibrate !! ;D
The original gun had a large diffuser on the end which was total crap.
Another modification which you can't see is inside the powder reservoir. The exit tube is now funnel shaped so that more atomized powder can be collected.
One tip I forgot to mention last time, is DO NOT fill the reservoir too high !! Only half fill it !! If the level is too high, the powder won't atomize and will come out in clumps.
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dtsfab.com%2Findex%2FMGalleryItem.php%3Fid%3D742&hash=43808d57cfdce3919abbceb04e31c65a80f3dd89)
I also made the tip removable. I don't know what purpose this serves, but that's what the high end gun had, so I just copied it.
I hope I've helped you out. Dan
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dtsfab.com%2Findex%2FMGalleryItem.php%3Fid%3D740&hash=aa90ffbce5d6db7b1cac9f180a65b4a8650c0e76)