Powder Coating help needed please

[DJ_Critterus]

I absolutely despise and hate chrome so every bit of it is coming off my hotrod and my chopper. The 2nd chopper will be built with none.

I've got a powder coating system and an oven to bake the parts, but I haven't figured out how to get a nice smooth, glossy finish. pretty much everything but matte black has come out with the orange peel look. I've scoured Youtube and the Google machine, but everything I've tried yields the same results.

Do any of you do your own powder coat and how do you get a nice, smooth finish?

[RedLS1GTO]

I've worked with a lot of powder coat. Orange peel and/or low adhesion can be caused by many things. Too thick will absolutely cause it as will a temperature profile that's too shallow (doesn't heat quickly enough). On the flip side of that (although less likely), a temperature ramp that's too steep can cause it as well. Uneven thickness and improper surface prep are also common causes.

It's hard to get good cure in a non-professional oven on a gloss powder. Some are more forgiving than others.

Between surface prep, powder application, and the actual cure it's pretty damn tough to get it right at home. I am all about DIY but IMO the best answer for something that has to look good... send it to somebody with good equipment.

[mrvette]

Wish you asked me, On Industrial Loop there is a company who did parts on my vette POWDER TECH, young family operation .....do great work, and cheaper than what you spent for the DIY, that much I can bet.......

I had the front grill, rocker panels, RV mirrors Back light trim, and thinking along similar lines of getting the front and rear bumpers done also.....

just for others to know, it's a '72......

I hate to paint, I can just imagine trying powder coating....as you should know first hand.....

:issues::issues::dance::sadangel:

[DJ_Critterus]

I've worked with a lot of powder coat. Orange peel and/or low adhesion can be caused by many things. Too thick will absolutely cause it as will a temperature profile that's too shallow (doesn't heat quickly enough). On the flip side of that (although less likely), a temperature ramp that's too steep can cause it as well. Uneven thickness and improper surface prep are also common causes.

It's hard to get good cure in a non-professional oven on a gloss powder. Some are more forgiving than others.

Between surface prep, powder application, and the actual cure it's pretty damn tough to get it right at home. I am all about DIY but IMO the best answer for something that has to look good... send it to somebody with good equipment.
I heat the part up just a bit before applying powder and stick in a preheated oven at 400 degrees. I find it domes out with less flaws if I only bake it for 10 minutes, though. How do you get a good even coat without making it too thick? Do you have to apply two coats?

[DJ_Critterus]

Wish you asked me, On Industrial Loop there is a company who did parts on my vette POWDER TECH, young family operation .....do great work, and cheaper than what you spent for the DIY, that much I can bet.......

I had the front grill, rocker panels, RV mirrors Back light trim, and thinking along similar lines of getting the front and rear bumpers done also.....

just for others to know, it's a '72......

I hate to paint, I can just imagine trying powder coating....as you should know first hand.....

:issues::issues::dance::sadangel:
I'm having them do the frames :cheers:

[mrvette]

I'm having them do the frames :cheers:

Several years ago I noticed they do a LOT of industrial shit, and so FRAMES/etc I would class in that size.....but you welcome to look at my light weight work that is now about 7? years old not that it sets out in the weather, but it gets driven in the rain......

and washed every few months, or when it needs it....


The kid knows what he doing......I know that many years ago the company changed hands, the really old fart sold it to the kid and wife......the kid was an employee there.....so can't discount the DRIVE......
:seasix::hurray:

[RedLS1GTO]

I heat the part up just a bit before applying powder and stick in a preheated oven at 400 degrees. I find it domes out with less flaws if I only bake it for 10 minutes, though. How do you get a good even coat without making it too thick? Do you have to apply two coats?

Powder Coating: The Complete Guide: How to Spray Powder Coat (http://www.powdercoatguide.com/2015/05/how-to-spray-powder-coat.html#.Vp4me2f2aFQ)