anybuddy have DIY POWDER COATING tips?

[F3BZ]

has any one bought or used the $100 powder coating systems from eastwood, HF, etc.? i want to attempt coating the steel wheels since they take a little more abuse than i trust a spray can will provide.

is it as easy as they make it sound with evenly distributed coverage or can you cause runs?
can you do more than 1 coat? like coat, bake, 2nd coat, bake, clear coat, bake?
is the finish like factory, smooth. no orange peel?
is there any reason to buy the more deluxe versions offered with higher voltages?
does the wheel have to lay flat in the oven during curing?
do i have to take the tires off? just a kidding!

[joeboomer999]

Yes it is dead easy. Since the particles are electrically attracted runs really are a non issue.
Yes you can do more then one coat /bake. The only real limiter is your ground connection as the previous layer will act as an insulator.
If you use proper heat settings etc. For your powder Your finish will be a deep gloss every time.
Higher rated systems helps with the particle attraction etc
No you do not have to have the wheel flat

[sc72]

Member Dennis gaugehalfinch did powder coating for some time maybe he could help but I think joeboomer999 has answered your q's quite well, good luck.

[bravekozak]

I have a local powder coater that will paint any color, including pink!

I wouldn't bother messing around with electricity or breathing in any powder resins.

[joeboomer999]

I have a local powder coater that will paint any color, including pink!

I wouldn't bother messing around with electricity or breathing in any powder resins.

the process involves clipping a wire onto your project piece and flicking a switch? replacing a car battery requires messing around with electricity to a larger degree.

Most powder materials are non-toxic to humans, but the dust particles have sharp edges which can cause irritation to the breathing passage or eyes.
Im in agreement one does not want to inhale the powder, but said powder is fairly dense and has quite large particles. Any over spray will drop relatively quickly. A dusk mask paired with safety glasses will suffice unless your spraying in a fully enclosed booth.

Although powder coating takes some setup ( ie I'd strongly advise against curing in an oven you plan to ever use for food again etc.) the savings will quickly stack up. If your thinking of just a one time spray its probably not worse the hassle.



this is a handle bar riser i powdered a couple years ago to give an example of the finish. process took around ten minutes (most of it being bake time)

[blake4591]

I've used the cheap powder coating systems before (I think it was harbor freight kit) to do motorcycle rims. It's the same as painting, prep is the key and you need to have absolutely no oil or grease on the part because it will cook off when in the oven and cause bonding problems. Powder coating is less likely to chip than paint but it can still chip or come off.

From my experience the best thing for wheels is pastidip if you don't mind the flat finish. It really wont chip at all and you can just power wash it to clean it up.

[F3BZ]

thanks for the input. sounds like cleaning might be the hardest part but at least the wheels aren't too rusty. i don't have the oven yet so i might use a heat lamp. not too worried about particulates, between smoking, age, and 30 yrs in construction i'm already a goner.
i thought about plastidip. they even have a glossifier spray for topcoating but on the few small parts i've sprayed with it the finish isn't as smooth as paint.