Do it yourself powder coating

[Lulu]

While Christmas shopping, I saw a powder coating kit that Sears is selling.  It comes with a gun, etc. and you bake the items in a regular stove oven ( not the one that you cook in!)  I was wondering what your thoughts were and if anyone has tried this.

Happy Holidays!!

[jasmine64]

I've been looking for a good web site for powder coating, never thought of Sears.

[halehouse]

sears

Sounds cool, but how many people have a non-food prep oven sitting around?

[Skeleton Man]

Sounds great.. but even if you did have a spare oven, you wouldn't fit the full cabinet of an upright vendor in there.. (unless you have some kinda industrial oven!)

This is assuming you can powder coat large areas like that ? (ie. it's not just a process used for small parts)

Followed the link to sears.  Read what it said.  I believe they are assuming that most uses will be for smaller individual items.  They mention using a toaster oven, not very large but cheap.  And they mention using a spare non-food prep oven.  I am guessing the spare oven could be about anything that will heat the item to 400 degrees.  Maybe pick-up an old stove from a used appliance place.  See if they have one that the oven is the only thing working, might be glad to sell it very cheap just to get rid of it.  Just make sure they show that the oven does work.  Maybe spot a neighbor that just got a new stove, they might be glad to give you the old one rather than have to try disposing of it.  If the top still works, so much the better, hot soup on a cold day.  Just don't use the oven for cooking.

[Eric]

Heck we have what they call big trash twice a year here...people through out old stoves and electric ovens all the time would be good for small parts and shelves but yeah you have to get some type of industrial for liners/tubs and machine shells.....

Not bad if you got a place to put the stove/oven.....

Eric

[Skeleton Man]

Is professional powder coating an expensive process ? (in comparison to a re-spray with enamel)

i have been doing some hobby powder coating for a few months,its really not that hard. prep work on the part is the most important, just like liquid paint. you are limited to the size of your oven. i went from toaster oven to household oven and now i am in the process of building a 6x3x3 for large items. check out caswellplating.com and go to the finishing forum. alot of good info also eastwoods finishing forum.  i hope this helps, joe

[MoonDawg]

Quote (shemp4 @ Dec. 24 2005,7:13)

...... am in the process of building a 6x3x3 for large items.

Hmm, remove the rack and compressor from a large 300+  can machine?  Install some electric heating elements (or gas inlet) and a thermostat, all found at Grainger.  Would make a nice lookin' oven.  '>
       I was at sears yesterday 12/24. The powdercoat kit they advertised was on an end display and was 'sold out' except for 1 open box. Must be a new item.  They were selling powdercoating separately in little individual bags with very few color choices.      Joe....where do you get your "powder"?

[loman4ec]

I like the idea of using a big machine as an oven but wouldn't the insulation catch fire?? I would like to know as I might try that. Although I am going to keep an eye on craigslist for a cheep oven to use. I like the idea of powder coating. You can use hammertone on the inside liner but powder coat the shelves and other small parts that would fit in an oven. You can buy powder on ebay I wonder if it would work with that system?

[loman4ec]

What about this powder coater??

ebay powder coater

[loman4ec]

Lets try that again.

ebay powder coater


Just in case item number 4599108899

you can get powder from caswell plating and eastwood, those are the only two i have dealt with. they have a large variety of powders,  i have the novice gun " hotcoat"  and it works great for what i have done so far. goto www.caswellplating.com and click on the finishing forum and then goto the powder coating section . its full of how to items , they even have a section on building your own oven!! e-mail me if i can be of any help.  joe

i forgot to mention that the powder seems to go a long way, i believe that 8 oz. covers 20 sqft. ,  one of the companies i mentioned has a sample batch of powders, you get a variety of colors for cheap money,  someone mentioned that hammertite , you can get close to that with the powder also, there are textures and one called silver-vein that looks real good.  later, joe

[MoonDawg]

Quote (Skeleton Man @ Dec. 22 2005,8:53)

Is professional powder coating an expensive process ? (in comparison to a re-spray with enamel)

Good question. Powdercoating is a baked on finish which is harder and more chip resistant than enamels.
      But as Joe said, it's in the prep work to get a nice finish. Therefore sandblasting is a must.
      I took a load of shelves, liners, slider racks  etc.for sandblast and powdercoating in silver. Probably 75 parts / 300 lbs.  Charge was $75.00 for sandblasting and $100.00 for powdercoating, that's minimum charge here.
      Later I needed 3 bottlestack faceplates and some Cavalier bottlegates done in white.    10 lbs / 15 parts...same price... the minimum $175.

[Skeleton Man]

That sounds pretty reasonable for a restoration of around $400 - $500+.. I was expecting more like $300 for powercoating alone.. letalone the prep work..