Powder coat problem.

STIHL

Well-Known Member
Well after a few hundred with no issue I can say my problem was definitely cure time. Got some Smokes powder in. It does much better than the old stuff I’ve been using. Coats much thicker and with less shaking and swirling. It stays on really well too.
I’ve done some in the blue and in the green. And they both coat good. These were just dumped in a wire basket and baked.
 

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GRMPS

Active Member
IF PC coats but doesn’t stick after baking the first place I look is bullet contamination (usually quenching in contaminated water)

2nd, IF you don’t have a PID controlling your oven (if you have a convection oven you need a separate power circuit for your fan or the PID will burn it out) You need to test the temperature setting of the oven with a thermometer on the baking shelf EVERY TIME the surrounding temperature changes due to the location and type of thermometers they use on the countertop ovens.

I have a heat-sinc on the bottom of my ovens (material that holds heat to help the oven return to temperature faster after it has been opened) I use ceramic BBQ briquettes, you can use lava rock, fire brick ---

Baking I have tested many brands and colors of PC, researched their bake schedule, and have found the 25 minutes in my oven preheated to 400F/200C meets all requirements. For larger bullets or if you want a better finish go 30-35 minutes.

You can restore many older powders by drying them out in an oven <140°, in front of an AC.

Pre warming bullets (<150° if you can handle them without gloves their good, too hot you will just get a globby mess) also help stubborn PC stick better.

Then there are many powders that just won’t work without spraying; stick with gloss/high gloss polyester (TGIC) or polyurethane PC

Many fancier powders are meant to be used over a coating of another powder

Always remove all excess PC before baking