Powder coating is an undeniably robust and long-lasting end for thus many purposes. However despite the fact that it lays out easy when utilized correctly, the character of the fabric can depart a shiny, however not super-glossy, ultimate end. One of many questions that comes up usually is the right way to improve the gloss on powder-painted elements.
To get some straight solutions, we turned on to an skilled on powder coatings, Mark Robidoux. Mark is Eastwood’s product improvement supervisor and was instrumental in bringing DIY powder coating to the market. He’s experimented with all sorts of powders and base supplies over time and is aware of what works and what doesn’t.
The vital factor to know is that powder paint behaves significantly in another way than liquid paints. Usually, you apply the powder to your half, let it bake and treatment, and also you’re carried out. No slicing, buffing, or sharpening is normally required and even really useful.
However what when you’re nonetheless not pleased with the gloss? Right here’s what he recommends to deliver up the shine.
Apply clear powder
If gloss and depth are priorities on your undertaking, the primary advice is to ensure you’re spraying clear powder on prime of your colour coat. “I like to recommend clients do a second coat of gloss clear, which is acrylic and nice with UV, chemical compounds, and readability,” he explains. “You may both spray at room temperature or scorching flock it.” On this case, scorching flocking includes spraying clear powder on a component whereas it’s nonetheless heat from its preliminary utility. The powder can start to stream out on contact and the return into the oven to treatment.
However Mark advises warning when scorching flocking clear finishes. “I inform clients if scorching flocking to get in and get out. By this I imply regulate the gun to get a pleasant powder cloud, pull the half from oven and spray rapidly, watching the clear powder hit the floor and stream out. Then get the half again within the oven rapidly to maintain it at temp and treatment at 400° F for an additional ten minutes.”
Use a powder polish
To get extra shine out of a cured half, or to take away slight blemishes from the floor, use a powder-specific polish. Eastwood developed a powder coating polish that may be utilized both manually or with a buffer/polisher. For greatest outcomes, this could solely be used on non-metallic gloss finishes utilized to easy surfaces.
Hand utility is really useful for gentle scratches and translucent powders to keep away from burn-through. Nevertheless, it will also be utilized utilizing a delicate foam pad on a machine buffer at low to medium speeds. The secret’s to maintain the froth pad moist and to forestall warmth buildup, which may trigger the end to melt and probably re-flow in spots.
As soon as polished, a powder coated end will also be waxed to additional improve depth and gloss, if solely briefly.
Minimize and buff solely when needed
If all else fails and also you desire a extra flawless end, you possibly can bust out the fine-grit sandpaper and go to city. This may be needed for correcting runs or tough spots within the end, as an example. However Mark cautions, “You may minimize and buff non-metallic powders, but when the substrate isn’t degree to start with (solid brake drum, for instance) it is going to be exhausting.” In different phrases, the end can solely look pretty much as good because the half you’re making use of it to.
As he additional explains, “You would minimize cured powder from 1000-grit to 3000-grit and buff it for extra gloss, but it surely’s numerous work. Powder doesn’t harden like a 2K urethane topcoat, so slicing or sanding requires extra effort and finesse to not depart heavy sanding scratches within the end.” After utilizing abrasives, at all times end with a powder polish.
