Author Topic: DIY Powder Coating  (Read 6457 times)

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Offline alltherightpills

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DIY Powder Coating
« on: December 14, 2007, 02:05:04 PM »
Has anyone done their own powder coating?  Craftsman makes this powder coating system:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917288000P?keyword=powder+coat

Anyone use it or know anything about it?  150 bucks doesn't sound too bad.  Don't know how well it would work to do a frame, but it seems like it would be pretty handy for rims, triple clamps, or anything small enough to fit in your oven.

Zach
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fuzzybutt

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2007, 02:09:27 PM »
the only problem i can see is having an oven large enough to get the frame into. i have a home powdercoating system from eastwood and an old kenmore oven in the garage that i do some stuff with. works fine

Offline paulages

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2007, 02:19:46 PM »
i do small parts all the time. just did the inner part of this hub for the bike i'm building joe:


we use a range oven, dedicated to non-food use. works great for anything that'll fit in there.
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kbfromvt_400F

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2007, 02:45:56 PM »
i've been thinking heavily about investing in a DIY kit.  the only problem is the oven to bake the parts in.  you cant use your everyday oven, unless you want toxic fumes in your food.  so you have to figure an oven into the cost of your investment, plus, unless you get some big ole' pizza oven, youre only going to be able to bake smaller parts, even a rim might be a tight fit.  when all is said and done, i would think to myself "how much powdercoating am i going to be doing?"  it might just make more sense to outsource...maybe not.

i wouldn't go to sears, but rather Eastwood who sells much better specialty products such as this.  i have no problem getting a crescent wrench or ratchet from sears but i'm not so sure about a DIY powdercoating kit.

different levels and quality of equip is a good choice to have:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=92&itemType=CONTENT



Offline alltherightpills

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2007, 03:57:34 PM »
This is just what I was wondering.  I was in Sears today and saw it, and figured the folks on here would give me more useful info than the high schooler working the floor  ;)  I haven't checked what powder coating runs around here, but I figured it would be more than what it costs to buy one of these home kits.  The oven is the only issue I can think of, but I just found one on craigslist for 40 bucks, so cheap ones are out there.

I wonder how hard it would be to build your own kiln for doing frames.  Not that it would be cost effective by any means, I'm just thinking out loud.  Use bricks for the structure and run gas lines into it.  Like a ceramics kiln, only 10x colder.

Zach
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Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2007, 04:15:39 PM »
The issue I would have once I found an old oven would be wiring the garage. Aren't most ranges/ovens a 30A 220V service? Plenty of 110V available. What the hell, I could use a heat source in my garage anyway.
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2007, 05:40:59 PM »
i do small parts all the time. just did the inner part of this hub for the bike i'm building joe:


we use a range oven, dedicated to non-food use. works great for anything that'll fit in there.
Paul, what product did you use. Looks amazing.
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Offline dustyc

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2007, 06:11:11 PM »
Looks like alot of elbow grease. :P I wondered myself Bobby until I spotted the black inner part of the hub(between the spoke holes).  I was thinking damn that's chromy powder coat.
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2007, 06:26:25 PM »
Looks like alot of elbow grease. :P I wondered myself Bobby until I spotted the black inner part of the hub(between the spoke holes).  I was thinking damn that's chromy powder coat.
Gotcha Dusty. I was looking for something with that shine. I guess elbow grease is back on my list.
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Offline mkramer1121

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2007, 06:43:05 PM »
You need one of these ovens!

http://grievecorp.com/

My new employer....If (big if) I ever wanted to powdercoat, I could use thier paint booths and then bake a frame while we're testing out one of the ovens...:D
« Last Edit: December 14, 2007, 07:20:00 PM by mkramer1121 »

Offline MoTo-BunnY

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2007, 07:03:43 PM »
big hint:  don't let your gal/wifey/partner/whateva catch you doing powdercoating in the kitchen oven!   >:(       lol
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Offline paulages

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #11 on: December 14, 2007, 07:38:07 PM »
we got our oven on craigslist for free. cost a few bucks to run a 50A 220V outlet from the panel, but still was under $30. anything over a rim size goes to the professionals. you'd be surprised how many things you can think of to powdercoat once you have the option though.  ::)

we use eastwood powder. the "chrome" color looks great by itself, but once you clear it (i'm not aware of any single-stage chrome powder), it looks kinda dull. just got joe and billy's frames back from the pro powdercoater we use, and it looks the same (they use cardinal).

here it is cooking:
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Offline MoTo-BunnY

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #12 on: December 14, 2007, 07:51:47 PM »
Good idea, Paul!  I have a junky little toaster oven I picked up for free that I bake small parts with. Even with just regular paint, a 250° or so bake not only dries the paint fast but really bakes it on - seems much harder, more durable than without?
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1973 Honda CB500K2
1970 Ding-How aka Nova R-S w/3.5HP Tecumseh MiniBike
1970 Taco Model 22 deluxe w/3.0HP Briggs & Stratton MiniBike
1973 GMC Vandura 3/4 Ton Van (350CID V8)
1973 Dodge "Chinook" RV (360CID V8)
1985 Toyota Tercel Wagon SR5 (4WD - 3A engine)
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Offline dustyc

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2007, 06:36:51 AM »
I'm confused now Paul.  Is that chrome powdercoat on that?
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Offline alltherightpills

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #14 on: December 15, 2007, 07:49:50 AM »
Does the oven need to be electric, or could it be gas?  I wasn't sure if the gas would have an adverse reaction with the powder.  Obviously it would be a hell of a lot easier to run new electric lines to the garage rather than gas lines.

Paulages, can you basically fit everything but the frame in your oven?  Aside from the frame, I can't think of anything one would powder coat bigger than a rim or swingarm.
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jrtruckn

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2007, 07:58:28 AM »
Building a powdercoating oven big enough to fit a frame isn't hard but by the time you get it built the cost wouldn't be worth it unless you were doing multiple parts. Here is what a friend did to build his own.

4x8 sheets of steel 7 of them: approx $200 per sheet
High Temp insulation: approx $636
2 used oven heating elements: about $25 (junk yard)

Total Cost was $2500

Most homes have a 200 amp service so he was able to do this. His oven was 8' tall x 4' deep x 8' wide. He had scrape steel angle that he used to build a frame to weld the steel sheets too and to hang parts from. Mounted one oven heating element on the back wall about halfway up the other was mounted down near the floor. Both elements had their own controls. He mounted a heating sensor near the floor to see and help control the temp in the oven. He could get the oven to about 575 degrees with out any problems. The electric company really like him too!!! ;D ;D ;D

Now you may ask why would someone go through all this trouble to build one. He loved street rods and had 6 at one time he was making. Powdercoated everything he could on them. Had more money and time the anyone should. But most of all he just wanted to say he had built one. He had it for about 5 years and then passed away. His wife sold everything and moved to Florida.

Offline rhinoracer

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #16 on: December 15, 2007, 08:14:04 AM »
Don't know where you are, but it cost me just $65 bucks to have the frame and swingarm stripped, cleaned and powdercoated.

If you live close to Tijuana it would be worth to check. The place is a large industrial powdercoating facility that does production type contracts but the owner is a bike racer and collector.
Baja native.

Offline paulages

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #17 on: December 15, 2007, 11:05:04 AM »
I'm confused now Paul.  Is that chrome powdercoat on that?

no. i said in the post that i did the inner part. the rest is polished.
paul
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Offline dustyc

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #18 on: December 15, 2007, 11:17:30 AM »
Thanks for the clarification.  I initially thought it was all powdercoat, then I saw the black and figured that's what you were talking about until you mentioned chrome powder.

Looks great by the way.
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Offline flankspeed

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #19 on: January 03, 2008, 10:44:41 AM »
Hoping to pick the brain of some of you DIY powdercoaters...

My garage has a single 15 amp ungrounded circuit feeding the whole thing.  I know that eventually I'll need to upgrade out there but in the meantime I have an empty basement room with more than enough space to put blasting cabinet, small paintbox and an oven and then I'd just need a 20 ft. 220 extension to get to my dryer's outlet, pretty easy. My only concern is ventilation, especially since I'll be doing most of the work while my kid is asleep upstairs.  How bad are the fumes?  Would a fan in a small basement window be a sufficient vent?  Will my living room (directly above the potential workshop) reek?  Should I wait, save my pennies and upgrade my garage (which I should add is already too small and cramped)?

cheers
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Offline ofreen

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #20 on: January 03, 2008, 11:01:33 AM »
Hoping to pick the brain of some of you DIY powdercoaters...

My garage has a single 15 amp ungrounded circuit feeding the whole thing.  I know that eventually I'll need to upgrade out there but in the meantime I have an empty basement room with more than enough space to put blasting cabinet, small paintbox and an oven and then I'd just need a 20 ft. 220 extension to get to my dryer's outlet, pretty easy. My only concern is ventilation, especially since I'll be doing most of the work while my kid is asleep upstairs.  How bad are the fumes?  Would a fan in a small basement window be a sufficient vent?  Will my living room (directly above the potential workshop) reek?  Should I wait, save my pennies and upgrade my garage (which I should add is already too small and cramped)?

cheers

I wouldn't do any of that kind of stuff in the house.  The air in houses is polluted enough as it is.  If you choose to do it, get as much ventilation as you can.
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Offline gpdesign

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #21 on: January 03, 2008, 11:12:44 AM »
Hoping to pick the brain of some of you DIY powdercoaters...

My garage has a single 15 amp ungrounded circuit feeding the whole thing.  I know that eventually I'll need to upgrade out there but in the meantime I have an empty basement room with more than enough space to put blasting cabinet, small paintbox and an oven and then I'd just need a 20 ft. 220 extension to get to my dryer's outlet, pretty easy. My only concern is ventilation, especially since I'll be doing most of the work while my kid is asleep upstairs.  How bad are the fumes?  Would a fan in a small basement window be a sufficient vent?  Will my living room (directly above the potential workshop) reek?  Should I wait, save my pennies and upgrade my garage (which I should add is already too small and cramped)?

cheers

Definitely don't powdercoat indoors! Who knows what sorts of toxins are in the stuff.

To bake my parts I just use a propane powered 3 element "Mr. Heater" that fits on top of my BBQ propane tank. I do this in the garage with the doors open for ventilation. With this setup I can do parts of any size, the key is to just move the heater or part around as the powder flows and bakes in different places.
FYI there is a pretty good powdercoating forum over at caswellplating.com
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Offline ofreen

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #22 on: January 03, 2008, 11:59:53 AM »

Definitely don't powdercoat indoors! Who knows what sorts of toxins are in the stuff.



I agree, gpdesign's recommendation is stated more strongly than mine was.  There is no way you are going to contain all of whatever is emitted.  You especially don't want your kids breathing in that junk.
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Offline flankspeed

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #23 on: January 03, 2008, 01:37:10 PM »
Thanks for the headsup, I guess I'll just do really small bits in a toaster oven in the garage until I can afford to update my electrical out there.

cheers
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Offline Aaron J Williams

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Re: DIY Powder Coating
« Reply #24 on: January 03, 2008, 03:26:34 PM »
After looking at eastwood's $8000 oven big enough to cook a frame in I vote for build an oven yourself or pay a pro for the big stuff. The little stuff in the pics looks great and i'm sure there are lots of little things a guy could powdercoat if he had the equipment.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2008, 03:30:05 PM by Aaron J Williams »
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