First time powder coating

[creosote]

Finally got the nerve up to use some of the powder coating fodder that I've been squirreling away since harbor fake red was the thing. (Got a unopened jug)
I used eastwood dark green.
I don't know if its a good, or bad pick for this use.
First try was powder and a few victoms shaken in a #5 container.

Second try I added some orange pony beads, and maybe a little more powder.

I have a pair of sneakers that when worn high voltage discharge is instantly felt. no matter what I touch! They were installed without any socks that could hinder current.

I shook, swirled, rubbed on carpet, & dog
Till it felt like exercise.

Cooked in fan enhanced toaster oven @ 400ish for twenty. After wet looking.

Bullets on the right was the first batch.
They look like crap but I think they're ok.

Second batch looks like they should work.

Any constructive criticism is appreciated!

Should I get better powder?
I also have some squirrel grey. Anyone tried that?
Thanks
Mark

 

[fiver]

I wouldn't shoot those two in the middle-top, but the rest will make it at least to the target.
you'll get better.

 

[creosote]

That one reminds me of one of the squished powder horns.
Just need a pot of hot water.

 

[waco]

If that's your first attempt you'll be just fine. Those look good. Well done.

 

[creosote]

Grassy ass.

 

[creosote]

This is the back of the stove. It was 34* in the garage. I figured a little insulation wouldn't hurt.

 

[Joshua]

Looks like they cured just right. Good job!

I’ve been using the Eastwood Clear Gloss. My understanding is that it’s basically the same powder that you’re using minus the pigment. It’s good stuff. I have a bag of that squirrel grey but haven’t used any of it yet.

 

[creosote]

Thanks Joshua.
Is it bad to over cook?
I imagine under cooking, they're gooey?

 

[waco]

I have cooked at 400 for over 30 min before and could see no ill effect.

 

[BBerguson]

I have Eastwood powders, Ford Blue (I think that’s the name), periwinkle grey and gloss black. Blue and the grey are great, the black wasn’t as “dry” as the other two and clumped on the bullets until I mixed it with the other two colors. Works well that way. I use a plastic nut container like you get at Sams club. I make it a point to wear a chamois shirt and dry sneakers on the concrete floor of my shop. I turn and and slide the container across my shirt for a minute or two and this coats the bullets great every time. I have never had to use plastic beads of any sort in the container. I lay a piece of nylon window screen across a bowl and dump a handful of bullets into the screen, which I pick up by the corners and gently shake out the excess powder into the bowl. Holding the screen and bullets in my left hand (With rubber gloves on), I place the bullets on their base on a silicone baking sheet with my right hand. It takes a little more time to do this but the bullets come out with a perfect coat of paint. I bake at 400 for 20 minutes, letting them air cool until I can handle them.

I’ve painted 30 caliber through .459 caliber bullets and to date, I haven’t had any rejected bullets because of bad coats of paint. They have always turned out great.

My avatar is the blue and black paint mix on 245gr 44mag bullets. I almost, almost... feel guilty shooting such nice looking bullets!

 

[creosote]

More good tips. Thanks BBerguson.
I've read and watched tons of utube, but until I do somthing, .....then it clicks.

 

[BBerguson]

This is the back of the stove. It was 34* in the garage. I figured a little insulation wouldn't hurt.

View attachment 20074

I don’t think your insulation is necessary and I’d be more concerned about the fire hazard. I’d try it without and see how it works.

 

[BBerguson]

More good tips. Thanks BBerguson.
I've read and watched tons of utube, but until I do somthing, .....then it clicks.

Yeah, I did the same thing myself. Most of what I saw was of dumping the bullets in a wire mesh tray and then dumping the baked bullets in water. I didn’t like that method and had no intentions of doing it. Bought a pack of two silicone sheets off scamazon but only have one rack for my toaster oven so I’m limited to about 200 bullets per baking. 30 cal bullets, especially with a gas check base and no gas check installed, seem like they should be hard to stand up and keep them that way. But they aren’t. I have the tray on top of the oven when I’m placing the bullets so I only have to lift it slightly and lower it about 6 inches to the oven. Once in a while a bullet or two will tip over but that’s it. And if they do, they still have a pretty good finish and can be used. I’ve installed gas checks before and after painting with great results both ways.

 

[BBerguson]

I have to also add that loading these painted bullets is much more enjoyable than the greasy lubed bullets of yesteryear. Hands are much cleaner when finished and no annoying smell. Nor do they smoke as much when shooting and I’ve had zero leading since I switched. No negative experiences yet.

 

[creosote]

Agree with fire hazard.
I kept an eye on the glove insulators.
Tried to keep the ones touching the stove my old welding gloves. Mostly the left hand. When stick welding I guild the rod between the pointer finger & social finger.
They are shriveled up to the point they don't bend.
I have a bunch from when I worked on movie sets.

 

[Dimner]

Grassy ass.

Hah! My wife and I use that saying. Our reply is de nads

 

[Glaciers]

If your in the shop when cooking your bullets I wouldn't worry about a fire hazard. I'm thinking you would notice the smoke. If not, you might notice a little cracklings when they catch. Dead giveaway.

 

[Ian]

De nalgas around here.

'Choot 'em, they look fine to me. The marbled finish is just thin spots in the pigment, the base is clear and it's actually difficult to get true bare spots unless you wipe the powder off.

I pick, tap, and stand everything no matter what. It's my CDO, I have papers.







I gotta take a picture of the trays of 150-175 Lee 309-230-5R boat tails stood on their bases on the tray that gets lifted and placed in the oven. One twitch and DOMINOES!

 

[creosote]

Ill be trying more than my 1/4 hardware cloth. For standing up.
It oil cans all by itself.

I did pick n tap some. The ones I didn't ...I just noticed. ...the groves are full on one side. Musta been laying down.

Just c clamped the sizer to the bench.
I'm liking no lube.

 

[Spindrift]

Those bullets look fine, great result for your first session!
I find it helpful to preheat the bullets a little. But don’t overdo it, or you’ll get an abstract bullet sculpture! You should be able to hold the bullets with no discomfort. What I think is happening, is the elimination of condensation on the bullet surface.