2 powder coats: Color then clear

[burningman]

For my first coat I'd like to apply the color powder coat, then apply the laminated labels then a clear powder coat.
Does anyone have experience using 2 coats of powder coat (color & clear)?

[DerHoggz]

I don't think it will work, the powder coating itself doesn't conduct electricity does it?

[Ice-9]

I haven't tried this before but maybe a problem you could have is after putting the clear powder coat over the decals/graphics it goes back in the oven to cure the clear, the heat may burn, shrink or distort the graphics. Only one way to find out though, give it a try.

[Ice-9]

I don't think it will work, the powder coating itself doesn't conduct electricity does it?

The powder coating kit i have says if you get an orange peel effect or other flaw in the coating after curing, then you can apply a second powder coat, so maybe it would work, but i've never tried it.

[burningman]

I might just scrap the clear (powder coat) idea.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a good clear coat that doesn't require too many re-coats and cures within a day?

[John Lyons]

If it can survive 10 minutes at 400 degrees then it should be ok.
I don't think any adheisive or plastic would though...

You can recoat power coat over powder coat by lowering the voltage
of the power supply. (variac). It's still tricky but it can work.

Here's one of mine.

[rustypinto]

I might just scrap the clear (powder coat) idea.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a good clear coat that doesn't require too many re-coats and cures within a day?

This stuff works great!



Note room temperature is very dependent on how this spray interacts with the label (i'm talking mainly about toner). But compared to other enamel and acrylic-only sprays, i've had a lot of great results with this stuff.

[aziltz]

I've tried Spray Clear Coat over Powder Coat and it doesn't stick too well.  In fact it starts to flake off a bit.

However, the one box I tried it on was left in my *very* cold car quite a few times within a few days of the clear coating.  This may have had an effect.

[tiges_ tendres]

Yes, you can powder coat over powder coat.  It's designed to work that way.  A lot of the illusion finishes are designed for a base coat, and then multiple coats of the illusion finish.

However, your cure times and temperatures should vary.  For example, if you are going to do two or more coats, you shouldnt run a full cure on the first coat because when you do your 2nd coat and run that one for a full cure, the base will be over cured.

When doing the second coat, as noted by John Lyons, you need to lower the voltage as this helps the powder adhere better to the base coat.

I've never tried to clear coat with a decal, but I have tried to spray a clear coat over a powder coat and the results weren't great.

[burningman]

Does anyone have any experience clear coating and curing over Brother TZ and TC labels?
If these labels can withstand 400 degrees for the curing of the clear coat than I am in business and will go the powder coat route.
Thanks.

[tiges_ tendres]

Does anyone have any experience clear coating and curing over Brother TZ and TC labels?
If these labels can withstand 400 degrees for the curing of the clear coat than I am in business and will go the powder coat route.
Thanks.

Try is on a small metal scrap.  Just about anything would work.

[flintstoned]

Is it tough to sand off powder coat? Got an old box I bought with powder coat and I kinda wanna redo the paint.

[tiges_ tendres]

Is it tough to sand off powder coat? Got an old box I bought with powder coat and I kinda wanna redo the paint.

Yep. It's tough. It would be much easier to either chemically strip it or have it sand blasted.  Both are more costly, but how much is your time and labor worth?

[John Lyons]

I belt sanded 30 enclosures that were powder coated by someone (badly at that).
Me crazy? Sure... 

[gtudoran]

Hey John,

Could you give me a starting point for powder Coating? Like... are any kits/ starter sets fr this?

Thank you in advance
Gabriel Tudoran
Analog Sound

[John Lyons]

This is the one I have, granted I bought it for $30 more than this price
Powder by the pound is a good place to buy powder from.
Pendry Podder coating and ebay and Roseys are also good resources.

John

[gtudoran]

Did you put any link?? Bc i don't see nothig.

Best regards,
Gabriel Tudoran
Analog Sound

[tiges_ tendres]

Did you put any link?? Bc i don't see nothig.

Best regards,
Gabriel Tudoran
Analog Sound

I have used this one with decent results for stomp boxes. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94244 .  I get my Powder from Powder Buy the Pound and from Columbia Coatings.


Do not use the Harbor Freight powder.  Spend a little more and get the good stuff.

[rustypinto]

www.caswellplating.com is my one-stop for most things powder-coating.

[John Lyons]

http://www.eastwood.com/hotcoat-powder-coating/powder-coat-guns/original-hotcoat-powdercoating-gun.html
sorry

The Caswell and the harbor freight should be fine as well.