Powder coating system died...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Powder coating system died...
I've got one of these little powder coating units...
...that has worked pretty well since I bought it about 7 or 8 months ago. I was using it today and I wondered why the finish was coming out crap and the powder didn't seem to be sticking to the vertical surfaces.
Eventually, I put the gun tip near the earth where there should have been a decent size spark but there was barely a spark at all. I've accidentally earthed myself a couple of times before and there's a good size belt that'll go nearly all the way up your arm. Today, nada - bugger all spark and no belt (yep, I deliberately earthed myself!)
I pulled the cover off the box but there's just another plastic box inside it with all the wires coming from it and I wasn't going to pull it apart. It only cost around $60 and I reckon I've got my money's worth but I need to get another system. Who else does their own powder coating and what system do you use? I'm looking for something like "the next machine up" from this one, maybe $100 - $150.
Any ideas...?
...that has worked pretty well since I bought it about 7 or 8 months ago. I was using it today and I wondered why the finish was coming out crap and the powder didn't seem to be sticking to the vertical surfaces.
Eventually, I put the gun tip near the earth where there should have been a decent size spark but there was barely a spark at all. I've accidentally earthed myself a couple of times before and there's a good size belt that'll go nearly all the way up your arm. Today, nada - bugger all spark and no belt (yep, I deliberately earthed myself!)
I pulled the cover off the box but there's just another plastic box inside it with all the wires coming from it and I wasn't going to pull it apart. It only cost around $60 and I reckon I've got my money's worth but I need to get another system. Who else does their own powder coating and what system do you use? I'm looking for something like "the next machine up" from this one, maybe $100 - $150.
Any ideas...?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
As I've said many times, get the Eastwood HotCoat gun. If you're patient, you can get it on sale for about $70. Regular price is around $100.
I had one of those systems, and it did well for about five years. The Eastwood system has a much more substantial feel and appearance, and works very well. I'm very happy with it. If you have any question about the system, drop me a line.
I had one of those systems, and it did well for about five years. The Eastwood system has a much more substantial feel and appearance, and works very well. I'm very happy with it. If you have any question about the system, drop me a line.
Last edited by I'm Batman; Sep 30, 2007 at 01:08 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Can't help you with this one BUT I have the same one and have not yet used it. If I didn't get such a deal on it (35 bucks on sale) I would have bought the new Craftsman deal - all one piece gun system, I think it's like 150 bucks. Looks pretty simple to use. I'm gonna breed a refrigerator and and old stove and hopefully end up with a box big enough for atv frames this winter.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917288000P
I hope that link works I couldn't cut and paste the pic
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917288000P
I hope that link works I couldn't cut and paste the pic
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
I looked everywhere but there doesn't seem to be anything else except the Eastwood Hotcoat system for around that sort of money. The next step up is in the thousands of $$ 
so I bought the Eastwood system. I'm hoping the powder cups I already have will fit this gun...
Duke94, I just use an old domestic oven and it works great. I did my upper and lower control arms in there, inlet manifold and my valve covers (well, the first colour when the machine died!), so you can get reasonably large items in there.
True, but you don't even need an open flame to ignite your powder! A couple of times I've accidentally got the gun a little close to the job so that it's earthed and created a spark. If there's a cloud of powder (over spray) and you create a spark - FLASH
so I bought the Eastwood system. I'm hoping the powder cups I already have will fit this gun...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 847
Likes: 1
From: spring branch texas
I had that system you have for over a year now without any probs. I had the eastwood one also but it failed in about three months. I'm pretty sure your cups won't fit the chicago unit has a coarser thead on the cup. The eastwood gun uses a 500cc plastic bottles
Not related to you topic really but have you had any luck with using the clears? I must being doing something wrong because every time I try to clear something it looks milky or even textured on occasion.
Not related to you topic really but have you had any luck with using the clears? I must being doing something wrong because every time I try to clear something it looks milky or even textured on occasion.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Henrietta New York
Correct on the electric oven for curring powder. I have been envolved in powder coating since 1984. If any sparks or arcs are present (either on the hanging fixture or person) check grounds. Both fixture and powder unit. Clean hooks or wires and the unit being grounded are important and key to safety. It is also suggested that the operator spraying the powder be grounded.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Archdale NC
Try putting the clear on while the parts are still hot,just be careful because you can get too much clear on them this way,its hard to tell how much you're putting on.I managed a shop for 5 years and thats how we got the best results.Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
The Chicago Electric cups have a bigger opening.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
I had that system you have for over a year now without any probs. I had the eastwood one also but it failed in about three months. I'm pretty sure your cups won't fit the chicago unit has a coarser thead on the cup. The eastwood gun uses a 500cc plastic bottles
Not related to you topic really but have you had any luck with using the clears? I must being doing something wrong because every time I try to clear something it looks milky or even textured on occasion.
Not related to you topic really but have you had any luck with using the clears? I must being doing something wrong because every time I try to clear something it looks milky or even textured on occasion.
I wasn't sure so I ordered some extra cups too. When you buy powder from Eastwood (8oz), does it come in the cup?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I wasn't sure so I ordered some extra cups too. When you buy powder from Eastwood (8oz), does it come in the cup?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
It is harder than paint but you can still do it.
Cool. Lucky and went back and changed my bloody order to include another 3
