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Posted: 3/6/2016 11:03:52 AM EDT
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Has anyone done any powder coating on uppers and lowers?
Start up cost is 50.00-100.00 I think some careful masking would be needed. Reviews say the finish is very durable. Any thoughts? |
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Duracoat works, powder coat is even more durable if you do the prep right. Proper surface prep for both methods is media blasting. Do you have a blast cabinet? You are right about careful masking, powder coat can be thick as far as paint goes and I would rather not get it on places I don't want it, rather than remove it after the fact.
Pro tip: Get a jar of cheapie foam ear plugs for plugging holes. 
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Professional powder coater here. My basic setup cost $45,000. I no longer powder coat aluminium products unless they are Alodined or anodized first. Adhesion with powder coat products is a problem. surface treatment is critical, and ultimate cleanliness is a problem. Powder contains no solvents/cleaners/etchers, unlike wet paints, which clean the substrate surface while the paint is still wet. IMHO, for do-it-yourself, stick with wet paint products, as you WILL NOT be able to get the substrate clean and etched enough for good adhesion. And it is impossible to touch-up powder coat nicely. And it is a real bitch to strip off and redo. IMHO YMMV |
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Thanks for the info I will go with the Duracoat or anodize.What is Alodined? I have done an iridite finish when I worked in a place that made microwave equipment. I would do the dip brazing then clean in acid bath then caustic bath then iridite before painting. I was not there very long
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Quoted: Professional powder coater here. My basic setup cost $45,000. I no longer powder coat aluminium products unless they are Alodined or anodized first. Adhesion with powder coat products is a problem. surface treatment is critical, and ultimate cleanliness is a problem. Powder contains no solvents/cleaners/etchers, unlike wet paints, which clean the substrate surface while the paint is still wet. IMHO, for do-it-yourself, stick with wet paint products, as you WILL NOT be able to get the substrate clean and etched enough for good adhesion. And it is impossible to touch-up powder coat nicely. And it is a real bitch to strip off and redo. IMHO YMMV Can you give me a run down on your setup? How did you get into powder coating? |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the info I will go with the Duracoat or anodize.What is Alodined? I have done an iridite finish when I worked in a place that made microwave equipment. I would do the dip brazing then clean in acid bath then caustic bath then iridite before painting. I was not there very long Quoted:
Thanks for the info I will go with the Duracoat or anodize.What is Alodined? I have done an iridite finish when I worked in a place that made microwave equipment. I would do the dip brazing then clean in acid bath then caustic bath then iridite before painting. I was not there very long Alodine is a commercial name for a hexachromate surface treatment for aluminum. It's nasty stuff and costs about 40 bucks a gallon. Alodine treated aluminum does about 700-1000 hours in the salt spray test and makes a great primer for painting. Alodine is an international brand name for Henkel Technologies' conversion, anodizing and functional coatings suitable for use on aluminum, magnesium and other non-ferrous alloys. These coatings provide improved corrosion protection and paint adhesion.
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Quoted: Can you give me a run down on your setup? How did you get into powder coating? Quoted: Quoted: Professional powder coater here. My basic setup cost $45,000. I no longer powder coat aluminium products unless they are Alodined or anodized first. Adhesion with powder coat products is a problem. surface treatment is critical, and ultimate cleanliness is a problem. Powder contains no solvents/cleaners/etchers, unlike wet paints, which clean the substrate surface while the paint is still wet. IMHO, for do-it-yourself, stick with wet paint products, as you WILL NOT be able to get the substrate clean and etched enough for good adhesion. And it is impossible to touch-up powder coat nicely. And it is a real bitch to strip off and redo. IMHO YMMV Can you give me a run down on your setup? How did you get into powder coating? Have a look in the archive - I did an extensive photo string a couple of years ago, in another thread on powder coating boolits. |
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