Letter 20069

Questions about curing ovens [Canada] 

+++

I have a small polishing shop. I would like to start powdercoating motorcycle parts . Using the right painting equipment . Could I use an oven from a bakery to cure the paint, the oven as a temp of 500 degrees ventilation and is electric 6 feet high 3 feet wide 3 feet deep. Parts to be painted: motor cases cylinders and heads, maybe frames, solid and candy colors .Would I get same results as with a industrial oven. Also I have sent many parts to different shops some came back with a smooth very bright finish others came back not so bright and orange peel finish would that be a curing problem or painting problem.

Thanks for the information.

Pierre Bernard
- Montreal, Canada

Pierre, basically it's possible:

- Temperature You refer to degr. F? An air-temp of 220 degr C is the minimum
- Ventilation: you need a certain amount of refreshment because at curing some cracking products evaporate from the powder. - Air circulation: your oven must be equipped with an air-circulation unit in order to achieve an even temp. distribution in the oven, and more important an even heat transfer coefficient over the whole part. Especc. important for parts with great wall-thicknesses.
- Different result from the coaters: Causes can be multiple; type of powder, film thickness, method of application, quality of oven used. Note: Final film will be smoother (less orange peel) the quicker the part rises in temp from ambient to over 160 C during the first curing phase. If air circulation is not OK you will note diff. between the coating on a crank-case (thick material) and that on a fender (thin metal sheet)
- Did you think about pretreatment?

Good luck,

Remmelt Bosklopper
- Enschede, The Netherlands

500 degrees should be hot enough. Your specific powder supplier will provide you with the optimum temperature. As for the orange peel you refer to, that is a function of the curing process and film thickness among other things. The metal temperature and ramp during the curing process often have a significant impact on the overall finish of the powder coat.

Shane Sylvestre
- Canada

I want to answer or follow-up on this subject publicly (in non-commercial fashion).

 

I want the contact information to reach the inquirer privately.

 

I want to post a new question or inquiry of my own on a different subject.