Rodger Talbert Columnist
Q&A: Problems with Silicone Plugs
We have problems with smooth powder coat finishes from what we think is plug contamination. When a silicone masking plug touches the surface of a part, it causes a powder separation similar to a large fish eye. Is this a common problem, and how do we avoid it? Will washing the silicone plugs before they are used help?
Read MorePowder Environmental Room
We are building a new powder system and wonder about the benefits of enclosing the powder booths in an environmental room. It is very expensive, and the climate control system also will cost money to operate. How can we justify the expense?
Read MorePerformance Testing
We powder coat thicker gauges of steel (10-gauge to ¼-inch plate), using a blast operation for some of the heavier parts. We want to test the parts to confirm proper pretreatment coating performance before shipment, but we have some problems with impact and conical mandrel bend testing. The aggressive reaction of the washer chemistry can cause flash rust or other problems on the lightweight panels needed for the bend tests. Is there some way to create a bend test for our heavier materials? How can we confirm that our pretreatment and powder are working correctly?
Read MorePowder Touchup
Our powder booths have an automatic application area followed by two manual touch-up stations. We have ongoing problems with light coating in areas of the parts, requiring manual touch-up. Areas around welds, seams and inside corners do not get the required coverage, and we have to use spray touch-up paint or recoat the parts. How can we do a better job in these areas?
Read MoreStreaks in Coating
We apply a medium-gloss gray powder on our parts at around 3 to 4 mils thickness. Sometimes our operators leave streaks on the parts when they apply the powder, and some areas are darker than others before cure and clearly visible after cure. What is causing the streaks, and how can we fix the problem so we do not get them?
Read MoreAsk The Expert: Streaks in Powder Coating
Q: We apply a medium-gloss gray powder on our parts at around 3 to 4 mils thickness. Sometimes our operators leave streaks on the parts when they apply the powder.
Read MorePowder Compared to Polyurethane
We currently use a liquid polyurethane paint on aluminum panels but are considering converting to powder paint. What are the advantages and disadvantages of going with powder vs. polyurethane? We also are considering running some of our panels in cold rolled steel (CRS). Will powder adhere differently on aluminum or CRS? What challenges should we consider?
Read MoreCracking Edges on MDF
We seem to have problems with thicker medium density fiberboard (MDF) cracking on the edges as it comes out of our ovens, and the cracking occurs down the middle of the edge. I have tried a few things, but nothing has worked too well. Do you have any advice?
Read MoreStar Bursts in the Coating
We are using a wrinkle dark gray powder and often have a problem with “star bursts” all over the product. The stars are visible in the dry film and they do not flow out in the cure oven. We also spray a wrinkle black and get this problem occasionally, but it is not so pronounced. We do not have this problem with our smooth powders. We have cleaned the powder booth and the fee hopper, changed filters and everything else we can think of, but we cannot make the problem go away. Do you have any suggestions?
Read MoreASK THE EXPERT: Powder Coating Color Change
Q. Are color changes for powder that are under one minute really possible? Read what Rodger Talbert has to say about that.
Read MoreColor Change
Are color changes for powder that are under one minute really possible? I spray all manual in one booth, but I have automatic guns in the other one, and we do reclaim some of our colors, but not all of them.
Read MorePowder Application Equipment
Who makes the best powder coating application equipment on the market?
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