powdercoating billet ada head

[Dubs chops]

Hey guys anyone on here a powdercoating wizard? i tried to powdercoat my ada head lastnight with crappy results. I know that you have to hotcoat aluminum because it is not magnetic. But i am afraid to get the billet too hot? is this possible? i read somewhere that you can change the properties of aluminum by getting it too hot? i do not want a $300 dollar paperweight, regardless of how pretty it is. last night i preheated the oven to 450* and that was still not hot enough to get the powder to stick when spraying it. now i just have a faded yellow looking head, i am at the point where i am either going to strip it or give it another go if i get some good advice on how to do this, anyone?

 

[waxhead]

why dont you go for anodizing instead
it would be longer lasting

 

[#ZERO]

I would just have it anodized because powder coating is nothing but trouble.

Most polyester powders don't need to be over 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes and the epoxy powders bake at even lower temps with a harder finish.

Even if you use the heat resistant powder coating tape to mask off the sealing surfaces corrosion will eventual start at the edges causing the coating to lift.

Hard anodizing is your best bet with billet parts for use in a saltwater environment.

 

[Dubs chops]

oh i will only be in freshwater and i forgot i have acess to a powdercoater and oven in my garage but no anodizing.

 

[#ZERO]

Are you trying to use clear powder, because you said it turned out faded yellow looking?

 

[Dubs chops]

no its supposed to be a yellow gold. but it didnt cover hardly at all. thats where the faded yellow look comes from.

 

[#ZERO]

The part doesn't need to be magnetic it just needs to conduct electrical current through it.

Did you try using a scotch-brite pad or some low grit sand paper to remove the old anodizing?

Also check the ground connection and touch the gun right up next to head to see if there's any electricity flowing.

What brand & type of powder are you using and what shape is the spraying equipment?