I tried the sears powder coating system

[Bob K]

I couldn't resist  '>

Cost was $159.99 plus tax.  Comes with the gun, power supply, heat resistant masking tape and hooks, and silicone plugs to keep the powder out of unwanted holes.  The powder at Sears is ridiculously priced compared to Eastwood.  $5.99 for 1.5oz at Sears vs. $8.99 for 8.0oz for Eastwood's basic color palette.

Just fill the cup with powder, attach it to the gun, attach the "clip" to the piece to create an electrostatic "clinging" effect and spray away.  Here's the piece after spraying the dry powder:



Put in a 400 degree oven, wait for "flow out", which is the point the powder gels and glosses over, and bake for 20 minutes.

Here it is in the oven:



Once it's done you just let it cool down and that's it.  Here's the finished product:



I got a few imperfections on the surface - maybe some dust particles got shot along with the powder.  The finish looks great though, and is hard as nails as soon as it cools down.

I'm having fun with it.

Bob

[halehouse]

What is the piece that you coated?

[Pat Pixley]

Looks great Bob. Just wondering what was the turn
around time from Eastwood, Time it was order to the day it showed up at your door step ?

 Pat  '>

[Bob K]

Pat, I haven't received the Eastwood powder yet - I ordered it Wednesday.  I think they estimate 7 business days.  I'll let you know when it arrives.

Dan, the piece is a section of gumball machine '>

Bob

[jasmine64]

Josh,
Do you still tinker with gumball machines? Looks like that would work for you.

looks good!! dust is always a big problem for me.  when you figure out how to eliminate it please let me know!!  i actually built a small spray booth and tried wetting the surrounding area down, but i still get dust once in a while. i guess i am just a slob and need to do a better job cleaning up my shop!!! good luck with hobby , i have enjoyed it.  joe

[MoonDawg]

Could the dust specs be sanded out before baking?

[BrianB]

I have the Hotcoat gun from Eastwood. The turn around time for shipping from Eastwood is really quick. I think the longest I've had to wait for anything is 4 days.

Surface prep is the most important thing, hands down. After sanding/media blasting it's HIGHLY recommended to use a surface cleaner of some sort to remove ALL impuities prior to shooting the powder. I use Metal Wash and "PRE" from Eastwood.

I guess I almost sound like a stinkin' infomercial for them but I haven't had a negative experience with them yet!

[loman4ec]

jasmine64,
I still tinker with everything. I am already on this. I am watching craigslist to find a full size oven. I would like to be able to powdercoat shelves or alot of small parts at once. I will be buying one of these really soon.

[sodaworks]

I am looking to get into doing some powder coating as well. I picked up a (gas) pizza oven and was starting to set it up when the guys @ Eastwood told be not to use a gas oven. It should be electric. Can't remember exactly why but was really too busy at the time. I did happen to sell the oven and would like to get a electric oven and get it going again. We have alot of custom car people here locally and I believe it would be a good money maker. I am thinking I could set my high school senior son up making some spare cash to feed his expensive moto-x hobby. '>

[BryanH]

Gee thanks Bob - I was able to explain the compressor, the grinder, the buffer and I could probably get the kit in without a problem... but can't fgure out how I'd explain the second oven in the garage...   .   But it's now on the "list"

[Bob K]

Sorry 'bout that, Bryan!  '>

Pat Pixley, the powder from Eastwood arrived today (Tuesday).  I ordered it last Wednesday so with the Holiday weekend and all that's pretty quick.  Four business days tops.

One powder I bought was the one stage reflective chrome.  I tried it with fairly awful results (unless the chrome is supposed to look like it has chicken pox)  '> .  Practice, practice, practice!!!

Bob

[BrianB]

Gas ovens are definitely a no-no. Anything that is directly gas fired (exposed flame) should not be used for powdercoating.

There are people that I know that have cobbled together ovens that they have made from scratch and used a torpedo heater to heat it with. Not the smartest. You run the risk of an explosion.

When the powder is still in powder form and you have it in the air, fine particulate matter of that sort is HIGHLY flammable.

There are however powdercoat ovens that are gas fired but do not have an exposed flame. One of my buddies here in Bloomingon runs a powdercoat business and that's what he uses. It's literally large enough to powdercoat an entire car.

The best place I've found to get an oven for a small operation and for smaller parts is Menards. You can pick up a used oven for under $10! When somebody buys a new oven and they have their old one taken away, My local Menards places them on a large rack out in the lumber yard and prices them for $10 and under and even offers a two week warranty!!

You will also have to wire up a new 50A service outlet to run your oven wherever you deicde to locate it. Another cool thing to do is to put cheap-o casters on the bottom of the oven to make it more mobile.

If you're interested in a full size powdercoat oven, you'll pay a premium price, even for a used one. For an oven large enough to coat a liner or a bottle rack you're talking in upwards of $4000.

And also you have to remember that your electricity bill won't be cheap especially to run a full size unit.