Do-it-yourself powder coating technology at home

Powder coating is a special type of surface treatment with solid compounds; you can make such a painting with your own hands, without asking for help from specialists. Powders are used to create coatings on cars, metal parts and equipment for various purposes. To create a dense layer, you need to use a spray gun and a polymerization chamber. The finish includes several coats applied sequentially.

What is powder coating

Powder paint was invented in the second half of the 1950s. With its help, a method was created to create a coating that would be an alternative to staining with liquid compositions.

Powder is made up of several elements, each with unique qualities.

Powder coating is gradually becoming more in demand than coating with liquid formulations. Metals form a strong adhesion to solid particles, they resist heat treatment well and give a uniform and rich finish color.

The advantages of powdering are considered an even coating, as well as high protective properties of the resulting finish. The coating resists chipping, does not crack over time like a classic enamel, does not form a dense crust in the cold.

Paints from different manufacturers differ from each other in price, quality characteristics and requirements for work. Materials provide different types of topcoats. Powders are popular, which give glossy, shiny finishes that don't require additional processing.

Thermoactive

Thermosetting paints are more commonly used than thermoplastics. They represent a dispersed solid composition based on film-forming resins. When dispersed, the powder assumes a uniform shape, lies flat on the surface and has high fixing qualities.

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Powders are used to create a primer or top coat; manufacturers offer users a variety of colors that can be changed independently by mixing different shades.

Thermoplastic

Thermoplastics belong to the group of polyolefins.

A feature of thermoplastics is considered to be the creation of a comfortable tactile sensation when the painted part is held in the hand. Thermoplastics are recommended for treating surfaces with which a person comes into contact. They are easy to clean, easy to maintain and pleasant to the touch.

How to prepare a room for staining at home

To start painting, you need to properly prepare the room and purchase materials. For the solidification of powders, it is necessary to provide conditions that create an optimum melting temperature.

Equipment needed

The painting process should take place in a special room where you can easily place the equipment:

• oven designed for drying;
• plug, adapter or any DC source;
• gun, spray or gun;
• powder paint;
• residue collection device.

Make a stove with your own hands

The main difficulty is the preparation of the oven. This is the chamber in which the film is polymerized. The camera is independently manufactured, subject to the following conditions:

• the presence of a metal frame profile, sewn with insulation;
• the presence of ventilation;
• the presence of heating elements;
• exterior finish in plaster fiber.

Reference! The camera must have a maximum power of 12 kilowatts.

How to make a paint gun

The factory spray gun can be easily replaced with a specially designed spray gun. For powder painting, it is recommended to use a device made from a plastic bottle body.

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions:

1. A plastic bottle with a capacity of 1.5 liters is closed with a metal cap, which fits snugly into the hole.
2. Holes are made in the cork, which must be completely cleaned of splinters.
3. The bottle is one-third full of paint.
4. A positive wire from a high voltage source is connected to the plug.

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Attention! It is necessary to find a current transformer in order to create the necessary conditions for operation.

Requirements for painting metal products

Optimal conditions for the staining procedure:

1. Lighting. For this, fluorescent lamps are used.
2. Protection. The respiratory organs are covered with a respirator, the eyes are covered with special goggles.
3. Ventilation. Entry and exit device.
4. Collection of leftovers. At an early stage of treatment, a vacuum cleaner of medium power type is suitable.

Attention! When working with powders, it is important to exclude the active movement of airborne dust. During the cooling phase, debris may adhere to the surface, which will solidify into the applied layer.

Step-by-step painting technology

The coloring process consists of 3 consecutive steps. Each of the steps is critical. At an early stage of preparation, it is necessary to do all the work that will ensure uniform and persistent staining. Polymerization, which is the final stage, requires the use of special devices.

Coaching

The preparatory stage is based on thorough cleaning of the surface chosen for painting.

To properly prepare the area to be treated, several techniques are used:

• first, the part is cleaned with a rag;
• then sandpaper is used to process places prone to corrosion;
• after that, a degreaser is applied;
• the next technique is priming;
• after priming, a passivated layer is applied to the part.

Attention! Parts of a complex structure with traces of strong corrosion are soaked in an alkali for 2-6 hours.

Powder coated piece

Powdering is the intermediate step. It will only be possible to paint the parts if the surface is connected to the negative wire, which will react by interacting with the positive wire connected to the bottle cap.

Staining is carried out in the chamber compartment. After switching on, the bottle of paint is squeezed so that the paint begins to blow out of the holes in the cap.

The bottle should be brought to the surface at a distance of at least 20-30 millimeters. The entire surface is covered with a powdery composition, while the remnants of the coating are recommended to be collected on a previously laid newspaper or oilcloth.

Polymerization

The polymerization process takes place under certain conditions. To create an optimal environment, a polymerization chamber is necessary. The polymerization mechanism is based on the method of heating the part to such a temperature that the powder begins to form a strong adhesion to the surface. The part is placed in the chamber until maximum heating, then left for a while. After the finish is formed, the part cools under natural conditions, in the open air.

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Baking takes place at temperatures from +170 to +190 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Polymerization does not end with the cessation of heat input. Part of the process involves the slow natural cooling of the processed material.

Problems and possible solutions

Various difficulties can arise when using powdered pigments.Technologists believe that the main reason for problems with powders is insufficient grounding of the surface prepared for painting. To avoid grounding difficulties, it is recommended to check it beforehand. The resistance indicator should not exceed 4 ohms.

Poor grounding has the following consequences:

1. Deterioration of sludge quality, decrease in productivity of painting works.
2. Non-painting of areas, causing marriage.
3. Increased powder loss leading to overspending.
4. Deterioration in the quality of the formed layer, obtaining a "crust" effect, which implies the transmission of metal, a tendency to develop cracks.
5. Hand dyeing can cause electric shocks.

Many users note that they have problems with the material intended for work. Raw powder paint can clump, clog nozzles and cause feeding issues. This leads to the creation of an uneven layer, the suspension of work or the creation of a rejected zone.

Raw powder crumbles if storage rules are violated or conditions are created for poor-quality air compression at the start of work. To remedy the situation, it is necessary to change the air compression ratio. The change in pressure will stop the deterioration of the material.

Not painting the inside corners of intricate parts is a problem resulting from poor torch position. Approaching the gun barrel too close to the processed corner leads to powder blowing, the formation of unpainted areas and the appearance of gaps.