Smokes black not covering like it used to?

Tom

Well-Known Member
I used the black with asbbs that I had in a bowl with the lid on. It had been sitting for over a year since I last used it.
Tried pcing some 230 gr lees today. Coverage was terrible. Does pc powder absorb moisture from the air? That's the only explanation I can think of.
I'll try again with fresh powder after I cast some more.
Forgot to add... they were coated as cast, no sizing lube involved.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I've noticed some separation of the clear particles and the black in Smokes black. I think the black particles are a bit heavier than the clear, and can settle or separate out under certain circumstances. I came to this conclusion after seeing thatthe lightly covered or somewhat transparent areas on the bullets appear to be clearcoated and shiny. Black is the only color that I've had this happen with, or I wouldn't have mentioned it at all.
 

Will

Well-Known Member
I think I had the same problem. Last time I coated some bullets I had to tap off lots of excess.

The other day I was trying to coat the lee 230-5R’s and could not make the stuff stick.

Powder has been in a Tupperware container in the house. All I can figure is moisture absorption.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
I didn't think to check for that 358156. I've already melted them back down.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
Will, your experience mirrors mine. Good coverage, then this time 4 minutes of swirling and poor adhesion. I hope the whole bag hasn't gone bad. Maybe it's just separation as 358156hp says.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
My first batches were really nice, but now I get some bare spots that appear to be covered with clear PC. On the brighter side, Smokes clear PC works perfectly, as do the high solid colors like Carolina Blue. I would have expected black to be a high solid color, but it seems to have a lot of clear in it.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
that's how it gets the gloss.

and powder will suck up moisture from the air.
the harbor freight stuff even tells you it will right on the bottle.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
Well, it sounds like I was on the right track. I'll dump the bowl and try some fresh powder. Hopefully the Ziploc bag sealed the remaining powder ok.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
I threw out the powder that was in the bowl and added some fresh from the double Ziplocked supply. Much better!
Since the tail won't get touched by the sizing die, I made a rack from 1/4" mesh and baked them nose down to eliminate the flashing at the base. Anyone have a better idea for pcing boat tail bullets? Maybe the pc flashing on a boat tail isn't an issue?
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I don't put enough on mine to get any flashing.
I still get good coverage about .001 thick an the whole thing.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
I tap mine when I remove them from the powder and still get a thicker coating that runs down as it melts. It does seem that smokes clear gives a thinner coat, maybe I should try that, or learn how to get a thinner coat with black??
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I roll them between my fingers with a glove on.
it seems to just put a nice dusting on them.
I also meter in how much powder I put in the cup.
I try to measure the balls, the bullets, and the powder and use a consistent amount.
I swirl and give a few shakes until the powder is used up.
if there is a little leftover I return it to the cup or throw it out for the next batch, then measure in a titch less for the next batch.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
Thanks. That sounds like a good way to not only limit the coating, but also a less awkward method than using tweezers.
 

waco

Springfield, Oregon
I run into the same thing with his black. Looks separated. Still full coverage though. 064EB56A-7250-49BA-9234-9AD45D17FB8E.jpegignore the left over blue paint!