Powder
Coating w/ HotCoat
System -
Continued
General
Applications
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READY TO COAT
 Not
yet! To get the best results with any finish, it is important to
understand the characteristics of the product and it’s proper
application. As a general rule, preparations for powder coating are
pretty much the same as for solvent propelled liquid paints, but there are
a few exceptions. Before we get into that, lets have a look at the
characteristics of powder finish itself.
The HotCoat
system uses a Polyester based, thermosetting compound that is
electrostatically applied. In the electrostatic application, a
powder comprised of finely ground particles of pigment and resins are
electrostatically charged as they are sprayed onto a metal or alloy
component. The component being coated is negatively grounded so that when
the positive charged powder, emitted from the power gun, will adhere to
the component. Once coated, the component is moved into a 400 degree
curing oven where a chemical transition occurs, resulting in a uniform,
durable, high quality finish.
WHAT CAN BE COATED
As you may have already surmised, components
to be powder coated by the electrostatic process must be of a conductive
metal or alloy. Also, these components must be able to withstand
the 400-degree curing process. There are not too many automotive parts
that fall outside of these parameters, but it something to keep in mind.
While exhaust "headers" come to mind as exceeding this
temperature, as well as most of the rest of the exhaust system, it is hard
to think of any other components
that operate at temperatures above 400 degrees. We’ll leave common sense
to be your guild as to what can and cannot be powder coated.
TESTING THE HOTCOAT
SYSTEM
 Recently,
we test drove the HotCoat
system available through the Eastwood
Company. We choose the Deluxe Kit because it offered the best
value for our needs. Priced under $200, this kit provides the
hobbyist with everything he or she will ever need to turn-out top quality
finishes. Other kits are available and start at about $150.
When the kit arrived, We were interested to
see just how long it would take to read the instructions, setup a work
area, coat something and cure it. In just 2 short hours we had our answer,
as well as our first finished product. Subsequent projects,
excluding prep time, have taken an about an
hour to complete. While this may sound longer than simply squirting
on some spray paint, it isn’t. When the part is cool, it's ready
to slap on. You no longer have to wait through long drying times or
for good weather to protect and finish your parts.
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