Powder coating at home

[Jim Yergin]

I have always wanted to try powder coating at home. I decided I would give it try by powder coating the wheels I intend to use on my '41 P12 wagon. I bought a used Chicago Electric powder coater off eBay.

Next I found an inexpensive used electric range oven on the local Craigs List. Fortunately I am changing over to 15" wheels because they just fit into the oven. I don't think the original 16" wheels would allow the oven door to close.

I already had my trusty home made sandblaster.

I was fortunate enough to find a powder coating supplier (Powder Buy The Pound) who was willing and able to help me find a powder that matched the maroon color I am painting the sheet metal on my car.

After sandblasting I coated the wheel with the powder and baked it in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. My first attempt was not completely successful in that I didn't get a good coat over all of the wheel. The second one went much better. I will post pictures of the results in the following post.

[Jim Yergin]

Here are pictures of the wheel in its original condition, after sandblasting, and after powder coating. I am very pleased with the results.

Jim Yergin

[bob westphal]

Cool Jim,

I've been doing it for 8 years. It's pretty easy isn't it? Your part is ready to use as soon as it cools enough to handle. I've also found that you can puddle the powder to fill in rust pits too. For awhile I went nuts and coated almost everything I could find. With heat lamps you can coat large objects. I did the axle assemblies, tranny, driveshaft and engine block on one car.

[Rodney Bullock]

Very nice Jim, I wonder if you could powder coat my entire car.

[Norm's Coupe]

Wheel looks good. I could never do that, don't have room for the stove in the garage.

I do have one question though. Did you have to remove the first coat of powder coating after it was cured to do the wheel the second time? Or, can you just go over it with another coat like you do with paint?

The question is because I really don't know and just curious. Seems like it would be harder to blast clean if you had to remove the first coat. That's why I'm asking.

[David Maxwell]

...but was wondering what you do with pitting when powder coating. Your wheels appeared to be in pretty nice shape to begin with. Can you fill pits with something before powder coating? I have never even looked into powder coating myself.

[Jim Yergin]

Norm,

The pictures I posted were of the second wheel I did. I tried putting a second coat on the first wheel but it did not turn out as shiney. I plan on trying to sandblast the first wheel again (at least the side that shows) and redoing the powdercoating.

Jim Yergin

[greg g]

And now you can keep your pizza hot also. Make sure the piizza is on the top shelf........Powder coating doesn't seem to hold up here in the slaty northeast. Once the bond breaks like at a stone chip impact, moisture mugrates under then lifts the coating away from the part. This keeps expanding till you get a big blister that will eventually flake off.

[knuckleharley]

Anybody ever try the powder coating setup that Eastwood sells?

[Norm's Coupe]

Norm,

The pictures I posted were of the second wheel I did. I tried putting a second coat on the first wheel but it did not turn out as shiney. I plan on trying to sandblast the first wheel again (at least the side that shows) and redoing the powdercoating.

Jim Yergin

Jim,

Maybe you have to let the powder coating cure longer to put a second coat on. Sounds like the second coat may have softened the first coat a little. Like paint, if you try to paint over it too fast, it will sometimes be duller or soften the first coat and make a real mess.

[Chester Brzostowski]

Jim,

You’re like a Mad Scientist… I love the homemade sand blaster.

But one Question.

I know you considered this.., but why.., the second stove when you have one in the kitchen. You couldn’t persuade the wife that this was a science experiment and the stove was needed.

Chet…

[Jim Yergin]

Chet,

I may not be too swift but I am smart enough to know which battles to pick and which to avoid. It was not an easy sell just to get the second oven into the garage. Besides, all of the powder coating materials warn against using an oven that is used to cook food.

Years ago I used plans from Skinned Knuckles magazine to build the sandblaster. It has served me well and has been one of the most useful tools I've used in my restoration project.

Jim Yergin

[bob westphal]

Jim,

I use Eastwood's kit with the heat lamp. You should cook the second coat until both coats flow together and no more. I hope your oven has a window but if it doesn't check it closely. You may have over cooked it. You can polish the visable surfaces. Just keep experimenting, You'll get it down. Someone asked about pits. Just lay in a heavy coat of powder and cure it. The powder will flow and fill the small pits.

[Jim Yergin]

Bob,

Thanks for the tips. The oven does have a window but I crack the door and check it during the process. I went ahead and re-blasted the first wheel and re-did the powder coating. Turned out great. You are right about how easy it really is and that it is nice that it can be handled as soon as it cools without any clean up.

Now I just have to figure out the pinstriping. Does anyone know where I can find the "Gold Bronze" paint for those pinstripes?

Jim Yergin

[BobT-47P15]

how about House of Kolor? They got lotsa colors.