DIY: General Powdercoating basics

[system]

@LAFENGAS

cost and time depends on what surface preps need to be done before PCing. Best case scenerio is clean bare metal. If it is painted, then it needs to be sanblasted, usually only $5 or $10 more. If it has PC on it and it needs to be removed…that’s a pain in the ass and expect about $20 to remove it.

Different colors as well as different colored lettering are a bit more expensive too. For instance, a 2 stage color (base reflective silver + a cover translucent blue), or coloring raised letters adds another step to the process.

If you go to the local shops, its about $40-$50 to powdercoat a valvecover.

The actual time needed to powdercoat a valvecover…is about an hour between setup, surface prep, spraying, and curing. If you dropped something off in the morning, it most likely will be sitting, waiting for you that afternoon.

As far as high temp powders needing high curing temps…

Generally, no powders require more than 500°F to cure. My favorite powders are by Dupont and Protech. Both over very durable powders and have very low temps with very quick cure times. (i.e. 6mins @ 285°F)

Just make sure you degrease before you bead blast