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- Jul 30, 2013
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My latest shop tip actually comes from the world of firearms reloading. A buddy of mine is an avid shooter who, not only reloads his spent ammunition, but also casts his own bullets. This presents a problem with lead fouling in enthusiast's gun barrels--a problem their community has tackled in a very low-buck way. THAT'S where the bike tip comes in...
It turns out that powder coating these items can alleviate headaches. Hey, I'D like to powder coat small parts on the cheap, too! They achieve this by placing a little powder, some plastic Airsoft pellets, and the parts to be coated inside of a sealed Tupperware bowl...then shake like crazy for a minute or two. Friction between the pellets and the bowl creates enough static charge to make the powder stick, without the use of a fancy (and expensive) specialty spray gun. The parts are later baked in a thrift store toaster oven.
My buddy graciously agreed to throw in a few pieces of hardware as a proof-of-concept. As you can see in the photos, the coverage was not bad...and better for some colors than for others. Threads should be masked by wrapping or plugging those areas with aluminum foil--the coating does accumulate. So...powder coat or paint? Now, you have choices.
It turns out that powder coating these items can alleviate headaches. Hey, I'D like to powder coat small parts on the cheap, too! They achieve this by placing a little powder, some plastic Airsoft pellets, and the parts to be coated inside of a sealed Tupperware bowl...then shake like crazy for a minute or two. Friction between the pellets and the bowl creates enough static charge to make the powder stick, without the use of a fancy (and expensive) specialty spray gun. The parts are later baked in a thrift store toaster oven.
My buddy graciously agreed to throw in a few pieces of hardware as a proof-of-concept. As you can see in the photos, the coverage was not bad...and better for some colors than for others. Threads should be masked by wrapping or plugging those areas with aluminum foil--the coating does accumulate. So...powder coat or paint? Now, you have choices.
