DIY Powder Coating

Ok, so for whatever reason, I seem determined to do as much as this mk3 restoration in the shop as possible.

So moving on from the plating question, I would like to do my own powder coating.

I have a blasting cabinet and garage oven so I'm almost there. I am looking at Caswell's 50 kv gun. The frame will have to be sent out but I should be able to fit everything else in the single oven I bought off Craigslist.

Has anybody else given this a try? While the posts on Caswell's forums on plating yielded mixed results, it seemed DIY guys were able to get good results powder coating. However, I'd still live to hear if anybody here has any opinions on this.

I don't want to just get further from the goal of finishing this project but I've got a few other bikes to go and think it would be very useful to have this ability in house. Specifically looking for opinions/advice on feasibility of doing this with regards to appearance and durability.

Best regards,

Doug Beck

I have been doing my own powdercoating for 15 years. I started with a chepo CP unit. It worked well for many years until it burnt out. I then upgraded to an Eastwood dual voltage unit. I like it much better. If it fits in the oven it gets powdercoated. I usually get powders from eastwood when there is a sale, caswell when I need quantity and Ebay when I'm bargin hunting. There are good deals out there, like 10 pounds of gloss black for $30. Look around.

I use a simple method with great results. Degrease, dry, media blast, clean, preheaat, coat, cure. It has served me well all this time.

Remember you don't need to put it on very thick, just enough to cover fully. Any more and it chips off and looks llike a layer of plastic.

Email me if yuou have any questions.

Go for it - i have been doing it over 20+ years and find its actually pretty fun - and you get great results. Its espically great as you can do a few little parts here and there as the need arises - and don't have to worry what happens if you screw it up as its easy to remove the fresh coatings

if you have a dedicated oven it helps (alot!) - key is clean parts & patience

i get most of my supplies form these guys, but sure there are plenty more out there - the brushed aluminum and crinkly flat black look great on norton/bike parts


http://www.powderbuythepound.com/home.php

I've done it too on my VW engine tin for my race car. I tried for the first time at home and used the oven in the house.
The wife came home early and busted me. Chewed my ass out. Kinda stinks up the house plus it got on the oven door.
Turned on the self cleaning mode and it turn to dust. No harm, no foul.
Needly to say I was sleeping with the dog after that.

I can hear a Jeff Foxworthy joke coming up now, "If your wife has to ask you to take the powdercoated motorcycle parts out of the oven so she can cook supper...then you might be a redneck!". I have to admit to cleaning engine parts in the kitchen sink on occasion...I wonder if that had something to do with my divorce?

GB

The Dishwasher cleans parts REALLY-WELL (ask me how I know).

Vince

Unclviny said:

The Dishwasher cleans parts REALLY-WELL (ask me how I know).

Vince

Click to expand...

Hope your wife doesn't read any of your posts!!!! :lol:

I'll bet there is quite a few of us that have caught s**t for baking parts in the oven, but have to say haven't used the dishwasher yet. Hmm there's potential there...

My missus never moans about the oven being used for cyl heads, valve guides, high temp paint...I've even got my Hailwood replica in the house at the moment. It's how you train and manage them that's the key; let them start thinking for themselve and it's gonna turn to rat sh*t for sure. Tell 'em who's boss 8)

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

I ordered the Caswell 50kV gun.

Also ordered 2 lbs Sheen Black powder from Columbia Coatings. It is 80% gloss which seems to be the prevailing consensus of the forum from other posts.

I'll post more after the stuff arrives.