Powder coating my lower

Murph XIII

Murph XIII

"Gov't sux"- Ben Franklin (probably)
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
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I just got a hold of a powder coating machine, and I would like to do some work on some slides/ or maybe my whole lower for my AR. Anybody have experience with this? Pros/cons?

And most specifically will the powder coating fill in the stamped words emblems or serial no's?
 
I'm going to try this too. PC is like paint to some degree....if you lay it on thick it'll end up thick.
 
It only needs to be a mil or so thick. It's not like cerekote. Which is ideal for what you want to do. Too much PC and it will orange peel. And you would be at danger of filling in smaller emblems.
 
I’ve got a 2005 Honda 4 Wheeler, and the powder coated racks are still in decent shape. I know they’re steel, but I’m wondering what the difference is? Not trying to be a smart butt, just wanting to learn.
 
Its just super durable paint that is baked on. As soon as I get some flat black Im going to give it a go. Ive done some aluminum scrap and its still perfect. Powder coating is awesome stuff.
 
Can the powder coating become "stained" by oil that leaks out of the gun?

I have an AR that was in storage for quite a while and when I finally got it out, it appears to have what look like sweat stains from where the oil leaked out and sat on the finish.
 
JohnFreeman said:
Its just super durable paint that is baked on. As soon as I get some flat black Im going to give it a go. Ive done some aluminum scrap and its still perfect. Powder coating is awesome stuff.
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I have a Harbor Freight PC machine, but I don't have any powder. I got it used, the price was right, and it's in mint condition. Never tried using it, but I would like to try it. Can you use any powder, and where can you buy it? I don't know if I'd use it on guns, but I'd like to give it a try on other things...
 
I had this barrel powder coated. You can still read the writing on the barrel.

red22.jpg
 
Harold2689 said:
I have a Harbor Freight PC machine, but I don't have any powder. I got it used, the price was right, and it's in mint condition. Never tried using it, but I would like to try it. Can you use any powder, and where can you buy it? I don't know if I'd use it on guns, but I'd like to give it a try on other things...
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Cheap powder can be had at Harbor Freight. The good stuff can be had on line from many places as cheap as $15 a lb to your door for some good stuff

http://www.powderbuythepound.com/Powder-Coating-Powders/

http://www.eastwood.com/hotcoat-powder-coating/powders.html
 
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Lots of interesting comments here. Powder coat typically is a very durable coating but you have to use the right chemistry for the use, the substrate has to be properly prepared, the powder applied to the right nil thickness, and it has to be properly cured. Failure in any one or combination of these things can lead to poor performance of the coating, chipping, staining, and a large number of other failure modes.

Powder is relatively simple but all of the parameters must be known and met to ensure good performance.

Powder coat of the wrong kind over a poorly prepared substrate and improperly cured will fail every time.

In short, choose the right product and take the time needed to apply it correctly over a properly prepared substrate. Then cure it properly but do not over cure it.
 
Phantom said:
Lots of interesting comments here. Powder coat typically is a very durable coating but you have to use the right chemistry for the use, the substrate has to be properly prepared, the powder applied to the right nil thickness, and it has to be properly cured. Failure in any one or combination of these things can lead to poor performance of the coating, chipping, staining, and a large number of other failure modes.

Powder is relatively simple but all of the parameters must be known and met to ensure good performance.

Powder coat of the wrong kind over a poorly prepared substrate and improperly cured will fail every time.

In short, choose the right product and take the time needed to apply it correctly over a properly prepared substrate. Then cure it properly but do not over cure it.
Click to expand...
This is why I haven't tried it yet. I'm still practicing applying the powder correctly, and preparing the metal. I decided I'm going to try the slide on my Taurus when I finally feel ready to try it. I'm not quite as attached to that as I am my rifle!

Will post pics when I do, though.
 
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