Tell me how powdercoating works

[69bronzeT5]

I have a few parts (bumper brackets etc) that I want to get powdercoated sometime when I can afford it. I have an opportunity to sandblast the parts for free but I'm wondering, if I sandblast the parts and then throw a coat of primer on it, how long will the parts stay surface rust free and also, will the primer affect the powdercoating?

[FLG]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_coating

[THE COLONEL]

Here is a site, which is the place where I got some of The Colonel's items powdercoated.  It is well worth it!!


http://www.prismpowdercoat.com/

[The70RT]

I have a few parts (bumper brackets etc) that I want to get powdercoated sometime when I can afford it. I have an opportunity to sandblast the parts for free but I'm wondering, if I sandblast the parts and then throw a coat of primer on it, how long will the parts stay surface rust free and also, will the primer affect the powdercoating?

If you put on  primer you will have to take the primer back off if you powdercoat it later. Just blast them and put them in a ziplock. I have been blasting and powder coating for the last couple of weeks. It is pretty easy to do. Harbor freight has a machine that is like 75 bucks. You will need an oven and I picked up a small dental oven on ebay for like 65.00 a while back. I can only get things as large as my control arms in it but I got a lot of pieces done though.

[69bronzeT5]

So....do you guys think it'll be fine if I sandblast the parts (for free ) and then throw a temporary coat of primer on it?

[SuperCharger]

So....do you guys think it'll be fine if I sandblast the parts (for free ) and then throw a temporary coat of primer on it?

yes but it will have to come off later i.e. sandblasting all over again. powdercoating should be plenty cheap if your giving them perfectly clean parts that all they have to do is put color to it. especially if all the parts are the same color

[NorwayCharger]

The smart thing to do is:
Wait with the blasting until you are ready to powder coat

[72SE]

We use a product called Picklex ( picklex.com )works great weather we spray liquid or powder. Check out the site. Mike

[Dodge Don]

Remember....if you don't seal any holes in the parts they will become smaller once powdercoated and will no longer work as intended since the holes (bolt/screw/grommet whatever will be too large for the hole.

[72SE]

Yes you have to make sure to tell the coater which holes you want plugged.

[The70RT]

It is no biggie if they powder coat some of the holes. A small file will clean them up unless they have threads. On my A arms I just used a wire wheel to clean the balljoint and bushing holes.

[72SE]

I guess it's just easier for the customer to tell the coater if there are certain areas that he/she doesn't want coated before hand. We have no problem masking those areas if a customer asks but have a hard time when a customer comes back and can't put their parts together and blames us.

[4cruzin]

Remember that when powder coating parts, they they cook in an oven at around 300*.  No parts with rubber on them or liquid in them. 

[The70RT]

Remember that when powder coating parts, they they cook in an oven at around 300*.  No parts with rubber on them or liquid in them. 

Plus if you preheat the part taping doesn't work?....at last that's my experience.

[72SE]

We use curing temperatures to 425 and use high temp masking tapes. Parts need to be stripped of rubber/plastic and definitely no liquid. Parts need to be very clean. At that temp all of the hidden grease likes to find it's way on to the nice new paint job.

[The70RT]

We use curing temperatures to 425 and use high temp masking tapes. Parts need to be stripped of rubber/plastic and definitely no liquid. Parts need to be very clean. At that temp all of the hidden grease likes to find it's way on to the nice new paint job.

Cool. Thanks for the info. All my parts are done now. I will know next time. 

[69*F5*SE]

If you gotta sandblast now (for free) then I too recommend Picklex 20 to keep the parts from rusting before powder coating.  It's a good product that will buy you loads of time while the wait is on.  It works fine with powder coating.  As long as the parts are kept dry the Picklex will keep the parts from rusting for a very long time.

[69bronzeT5]

Well my reason for sandblasting now is I'm in Auto shop at school until the end of January and I have access to a sandblaster.

[72SE]

Just make sure you degrease the parts REAL well before you sandblast them so you don't just smear dirt/grease around when blasting. Make sure they are clean after blasting and spray the picklex on the parts. As long as you follow the directions they give you, you can store the parts for a long time and your coater can coat right over the picklex. Mike