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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
I had a commercial applicator powder coat a luggage rack for a motorcycle, applying one coat of a silver color and then a topcoat of clear powder. A few months later, the clear finish cracked. The motorcycle is garage-kept. I consulted with another powder coating company, which said the powder was probably not polyester-based. Would polyester be best in this application? Do all silvers have to be clear-coated? Do only silvers need clear coat?