Homemade Powder Coating for Ovens

Powder Coating

• In powder coating, the powder is applied either by lowering the object into the powder or spraying the powder from an electrostatically charged spray gun. The powdered object then must be placed in an oven to cure the paint. In the case of thermoplastic powders, the heat causes the powders to melt as they undergo a chemical reaction.

Ovens

• You should not use the same oven that you use for cooking when you powder-coat something. Though the fumes are not toxic, they will create chemical smells that may be imparted to food. Instead, use a dedicated oven for powder coating, one that you can keep in a garage or workshop. To keep your expenses down, consider a used oven.

Using the Oven

• To cure the powder coating in your oven, preheat it to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove grease and oils from your metal using solutions specific to the material. Place the coated parts on a rack and place the rack in the oven. Depending on the size and thickness of the objects, it will take between five minutes and one hour for them to cure. Watch the objects in the oven attentively; when the coating begins to smoke, they are ready. Remove them from the oven, keeping them on the rack, and allow them to cool.

Benefits of Home Powder Coating

• Powder coating produces brighter colors than liquid paints, and it spreads more evenly, yielding a professional look to your parts. The typical downside of powder coating is that the ovens are large and costly. Home powder coating, in a residential oven, offers the best of both, allowing you to achieve professional results using household equipment.