...

Scrubbing makes the part as smooth as possible and gets rid of any imperfections soo so the powder coat can stick as well as possible.

To scrub take a green scouring pad and start scrubbing hard back and forth on the part in ONE direction( Make sure to put a good amount of pressure because other whys it won't really get into the aluminum.

...

Setup Checklist

•  Confirm that there is nothing in the oven
•  Move the internal oven rack to a place where you can easily reach it when hot Turn on the oven to 400 degrees

...

Operation Checklist

•  Turn on powder booth vent, and also the filter on top of the oven
•  Verify powder container has about half a container of powder, and connect to the powder coat gun
•  Attach the air compressor hose
•  Attach the ground cable
• hose to "pressure chamber", and ensure the hose is not hanging from the device
•  Attach and ground the part (copper wire to part if needed
•  Spray the part while holding the activation button trigger from a distance of 8 to 16 inches away
•  Make sure part is fully and evenly coated
•  Bake parts in the oven for 20 10 minutes after the oven reaches 400 degrees (ensure not to touch and knock paint off)

...

Getting a uniform layer of powder onto a part can be a little difficult. We have the Eastwood dual voltage Powder Coat Pro gun, and therefore we have the ability to fine tune some settings to get a more perfect part.

...

The low voltage setting can be turned on by setting twisting the switch to setting #1voltage knob to a lower voltage ~10. This is used for hard-to-get-to places such as holes, and 90 degree corners. The diffuser is required when using the low voltage setting. You should do your low voltage spots first.

...

The high voltage setting can be turned on by setting twisting the switch to setting #2voltage knob to a higher voltage ~40. This should be your default setting when using the powder coat gun. You can take the diffuser off while using the high voltage setting if you prefer - this will get you a narrower cone of powder spray.

Thick Powder coat

When powder coat is applied too much, it often appears similar to the first 2 images below, a dimpled texture, or a dripping texture. This is caused when the coating of powder is too thick, and when it goes into the oven to cure, the powder melts and starts either dripping or creating a dimple texture due to uneven curing. The 3rd image is a example of a use case of low voltage, where the inside of the corner does not fully coat, so low voltage is needed.

(CWFishing is the source of the image, click on the image for a link to the source)

Image Added

Cleaning up

Once finished with your parts, or when you need to change colors, ensure you clean the booth and your gun.

• BEFORE cleaning your part or the booth, ensure the booth vent is on, and the voltage is turned off. 
• Ensure that your powder coating gun is in a secure spot, and will not fall over. 
• Get a large shop vacuum, and ensure the filter is mounted properly, and in good condition. 
• Use the vacuum on the tip of the powder coating gun.
• Take off the tip of the powder coating gun and using compressed air blow out the inside and outside of the gun.
• Start using the vacuum from the top of the booth to the bottom, ensure you vacuum up all powder. 
• Use compressed air to spray off the bar on the top of the booth. 
• Use compressed air to spray off the filter guard in the back along with the vacuum to ensure that it is fully cleaned and the powder does not spread. 
• Double check to make sure all powder is cleaned up, and that cleaning off the filter guard in the back did not spread further powder. 

Quiz

1. Some box tubing was just manufactured on the CNC mill and is covered with coolant. How should you clean your part before powder coating? (Choose all that apply)

...

5. How long should you put your part in the oven for? (Choose all that apply)

•  20 10 minutes
•  20 minutes after the oven reaches 400 degrees
•  30 minutes
•  30 10 minutes after the oven reaches 400 degrees

...

•  Clean a part with an acetone scrub
•  Clean a part with outgassing
•  Turn on the oven
•  Hook up the ground cable
•  Re-fill the powder container
•  Hook up the air compressor line
•  Turn on the paint booth and the fan above oven
•  Coat a part
•  Place a part in the oven SAFELY
•  Clean the booth and gun completely and safely

Dwyer MK2 (Airflow measuring device):

The Dwyer Mk.II is a device mounted on the side of the powder coating hood used to measure airflow from the powder booth vent. 

Ensure that when the hood is on, the red gage fluid reads 0 inches of water column. If not, using the bottom left knob adjust until it reads 0. If it is unable to change, find a mentor for assistance. 

Two-Tone Powder coat:

Special still in progressFlow measuring device, uses gage fluid, this will be updated more -------------------------------------------------------------------------