Harbor Freight powdercoat system

[t3rmin]

I haven't been totally pleased with my hi-temp paint on engine covers results (staining and rub off occurring already). Could ya powder coat engine covers? I just realized we have a powder coating place in town. Or maybe Lee can hook me up. ;-)

[TheCafeKid]

I was thinking about powdercoating engine covers too...and the only thing that would concern me about it is loss of heat transfer due to the coating..how heavy does it coat?? If its not bad i dont think that it would harm them to coat...i dunno that id mess around with powder coating the head tho..might be a little dangerous...

[Nessism]

This thread has triggered my thinking since I haven’t been able to find a suitable paint to use on engine covers – the regular automotive urethane I used is starting to chip off (it’s not high heat paint anyway). I think powder coat would be the perfect material to use since it can handle high temperatures and is chemical resistant.

My understanding is that there are two main types of powder: polyester and urethane. Urethane is more durable from a corrosion durability standpoint but beyond that, I don’t know the pros and cons of the different materials.

I’ve worked with component part suppliers that did powder coat and sandblasting is not common except when the old finish needed to be removed first. Typically the parts are dipped in a phosphate solution to clean the metal and give it some tooth for the paint to adhere to.

I’m going to look into that Harbor Freight kit. Eastwood also sells low cost powder coat guns. Should be fun.

[LeeGS550E]

This thread has triggered my thinking since I haven’t been able to find a suitable paint to use on engine covers – the regular automotive urethane I used is starting to chip off (it’s not high heat paint anyway). I think powder coat would be the perfect material to use since it can handle high temperatures and is chemical resistant.

My understanding is that there are two main types of powder: polyester and urethane. Urethane is more durable from a corrosion durability standpoint but beyond that, I don’t know the pros and cons of the different materials.

I’ve worked with component part suppliers that did powder coat and sandblasting is not common except when the old finish needed to be removed first. Typically the parts are dipped in a phosphate solution to clean the metal and give it some tooth for the paint to adhere to.

I’m going to look into that Harbor Freight kit. Eastwood also sells low cost powder coat guns. Should be fun.

IIRC, the Harbor Freight kit was priced at around $100...but when I checked on the site today, it was down at $49.xx, so I ordered it quick snap. Sometimes their prices for the same items seem to jump around.

Not sure about the composition of the powder they sell, though. I will report back with results.

I looked at the Craftsman gun, but it appears to be a rebadged version of the Eastman no-compressor type gun. I figured the compressor type would give better results. It would be interesting to do a side-by-side comparison.

[N56629]

Eastman has good products. Craftsman is more likely rebranding Eastman products than the other way around. Most likely someone makes the powder coating guns for both of them. Sears doesn't make anything. They rebrand everything they sell. If you buy a Kenmore product it is most likely made by Westinghouse, HotPoint, etc.

[LeeGS550E]

Eastman has a how-to video:

http://www.eastwood.com/videoplayer/videoplayer_flash.html

[Casino Joe]

This thread has triggered my thinking since I haven’t been able to find a suitable paint to use on engine covers – the regular automotive urethane I used is starting to chip off (it’s not high heat paint anyway). I think powder coat would be the perfect material to use since it can handle high temperatures and is chemical resistant.

Has anyone tried the Eastwood Diamond Clear on engine covers?
It is supposed to be formulated for use on bare or polished metals and be fuel and heat resistant up to 300*F.

[drhach]

Huh?

Can someone clarify something for me. I read here that parts are dipped in phosphate solution to help the paint stick. Isn't powdercoating an electrostatic process? In other words, the paint sticks by virtue of the electricity that you are applying and there fore, paint adherence isn't such a big issue.

[t3rmin]

Can someone clarify something for me. I read here that parts are dipped in phosphate solution to help the paint stick. Isn't powdercoating an electrostatic process? In other words, the paint sticks by virtue of the electricity that you are applying and there fore, paint adherence isn't such a big issue.

As I understand it, electrostatic is for the initial stick, and the subsequent baking causes it to flow a bit and permanently adhere. So you'd want to properly prepare the surface, as with paint.