Hobby DIY Powder Coating Systems

Powder coating has been around for nearly 50 years and used throughout industry to create a hard wearing professional looking finish. The principle is quite simple, after preparing/degreasing the component, the earth lead is clipped to it (making the component the negative) and the powder is positively charged through the gun in a cloud that attracts to the component, similar to the way dust attracts to a TV screen. One of the main benefits of this process is that the component will build up the coating thickness to the required level with little skill, as once the coating level is at it's maximum the powder will no longer be attracted, as the powder on the component insulates against more powder being attracted. The next stage is to cure the powder, this is best done in an electric oven, note do not use the oven for cooking food in afterwards, as the curing vapours are mildly toxic. Most powders need 10 minutes cure time at 180 deg C, this requires the part to get to 180 deg c first, so average process time is approx 20 minutes from start to finish for the average oven. Once the cycle is complete let the part cool down and there you have it the part is ready to use it’s as simple as that!