Report On Electro Static Magic Powder Coating Machine

So, As promised, as full a write up as I can muster on the electrostatic magic powder coating machine.

To start with, I have no association with the company, and this is totally unbiased, although they have said they'll send me a free packet of powder if I send them some 'photos!

This is what you get in the kit:-
(I've used there 'photos from the website, as mine were rubbish)
 

I opted for the more expensive kit, and ended up with 5 of those plastic bottles,(which means you can store the powder in them, easier to change over etc) a couple of filters, some extra powder and I ordered the stand as well.
Firstly, the machine is  probably from China,(I can't confirm this) but appears to be well designed, is stout enough and well finished, with no rough edges.

The optional stand, I would say is made 'in house' it appears to be cut with a plasma arc or similar, is well designed and nicely finished.:-



However, I modified our stand, as if you look carefully, it comes 'naked' also, the edges are slotted, to make assembly easier. The stand is bolt together and seemed to be to be a bit top heavy. Therefore, the mods I did were:-

Seem welded for added security, and firmer handling!

Lump of metal on the bottom for lower CoG.

Welding ground back & smoothed and then a coat of etch primer.

Currently, I powder coated it Flat Black, but I don't like it, so that will change this week, if I get time.

Using the machine is a doddle, although reading the instructions thoroughly is advisable, as there are safety concerns with high voltage and the potential for fire, as the powder is flammable to naked flame in dust form, which is why I'm doing the work in the wood shed!(saw dust is also flammable and I have everything here just in case, I hope)
Therefore, using a naked flame, such as a blow lamp, gas cooker or space heaters is a no-no.

You also need an air supply, only minimal pressure, so a regulator is needed to if your using a big compressor. The gun has an inline filter on as well, and obviously the powder won't like the cold or damp (or humidity) so a clean air line is important.

If you've seen the video, http://youtu.be/qLf29vANARc , you will see that in practice, once you are savvy with the safety instructions, it's really easy to use.

The amount of leads means they can get in a twist as well, so some Velcro straps to keep things neat & tidy wouldn't go amiss.

I would say that there were a couple of things I should have had and would do different next time:
Firstly, I NEVER do any cooking, and forgot things get a little warm, so a silicon oven glove would be good. I've nicked my missus one now….

Secondly, I had a bit of a game getting the stuff in the oven, so take the tray out first, and use the wire tray not the one for doing roast's in, so the heat can get round.
A rocker cover just fits in a standard oven at an angle.

I used an old second hand oven that will not be used for food, this is important if you don't want a)food poisoning and b) an expensive divorce
The Oven was  pre-heated as well, it needs to be about 220 deg c, but the powder needs to melt, so it's not the temperature of the air, if your using a heat gun. I made this mistake the first time, using a nice new digital readout heat gun. I used it again on the stand, and this method works fine, although I had it set to max, (630deg c) I will do some more experiments and post again on this later, with the results)

The pieces were pre-heated slightly with the heatgun, just to give the powder a helping hand, I don't know if there was an actual benefit to this, but I guess in the UK it would be good to get the snow and ice off before starting work!

I also managed to miss a couple of places, so whilst good lighting is a must, I thought the overhead lights were too much, which you can see clearly in the Video.

Missed bits:


around breather inside.


again around the breather on the outside


on the step of the rocker cover was a bit thin


Inside of timing cover



I also could have given it a coat of primer filler as well, as the powder will not fill any roughness, note the finish were the items had been rusty before sand blasting:







This is the finnish you should get, if everything is prepared properly:


In General, I am more than pleased with the result. Can't wait to get back in the wood shed for some more!

I will be ordering some more colours, as I think the Gloss black, whilst I think is brilliant, is probably too gloss for a 'factory' finish, therefore I will give the Satan Black a go.

So, was it worth the money? Considering I had to pay a bit more to get it shipped to Spain, and I can't find anyone within 100km round trip that will do this work. It's well worth it.

My Missus wants the Microwave & her push bike done nowTo come.. heating with a heat gun and the 'Chrome' finish

What do you think of the finish?
Any questions?

 

really liking the write up

putting some serious thought into getting one of these

how does curing with a heat gun work?

I was just about to reply to your earlier reply, but you spotted I did a separete topic for the write up. I thought it may be better, however, if someone wants to join them up….

The heat gun works OK. so far it's much better in the oven.  I got a digital readout heat gun that goes up to 630 degrees, which I also intend to use for plastic welding. The only bit I have done with the heatgun so far is the stand, which is made of thick metal. It takes sometim to get the powder to melt, and if it's not on properly, the heat gun will blow it away! so, need to pre-heatit, then apply, then preferably heat from the back till the front melts, then give it another coat and spread the heat from the already melted stuff.

It's easier than it sounds.

I have a load of work to catch up with this week, and I've ordered a load more powder, inc Satin Black, which I think may represent a more factory finish.

Once I have the powder here, and some spare time, I am going sand blast, prepare and powder coat the radiator surround, using the heatgun to cure the powder.

I also have plans to make a bigger oven, but that will take a little time.

TBH I reckon once you have one of these, you'd never want to go back to paint. Just needs some thought and space in setting it up.

I'm also waiting for a new camera to arrive, so when it's all together, I will do another write up with some more 'photos and maybe a better Vid.

I read your first post about getting one. And am really glad you done a write up. The finish looks great. But as everything goes....practice makes perfect! ! Lol. Im considering buying one myself in the neqr future. Question. Can you powder coat alloy?

Yes, you can powder coat aluminum casting etc. You can powder coat anything as long as:
1) you can get it to conduct electricity, so if it's not metal, it will need a coat of zinc spray or something similarly conductive.

2) The thing you want to powder coat will put up with being heated up past the melting point of the paint, say 400 degerees c.

Im very happy with the finish, for a first attempt, just need to spend sometime with the primer filler first next time.

A question for those that may know, can I use primer filler on the rocker cover & sump, or will the heat and expansion etc crack it after a while?

I did think about leading it….

Thats great to know. Want to powdee coat some bits on my car like the rocker cover. For now I've used vht gloss paint. Doesnt look to bad. But I want better. Lol. Will look forward to seeing further atempts. Plust the microwave. Haha :-)

I wasn't actually joking about the microwave sadly, she really does want it done!

Maybe I can powder coat me toast at the same time

i would fancy the satin black as well to look more factory finish

really good tho

first the blasting cabinet, then this machine i think

I've got to make a blast cabinet as well, the cardboard box is getting holes in!!

i did build one but had to part with it as i moved jobs



bit big with extraction and everything

the next one will be alot more simple

Very nice write up mate. Thanks for taking the time to do such a detailed one. Considering where you/distance to your nearest powder coaters I think it's a great bit of kit. Good results too.  

Ta for that, I've been helped a lot by write ups, tech advise etc on here, only right to try and put something back in. I'll join a bit later, once I have the paper work sorted for the old girl (still trying!) then I can start getting serious!

Like the cabinet JB, gives me an idea for mine….