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Small Scale POWDER COATING for Motorcycle Parts

Q. Want to start up small scale powder coating operation. Mostly for motorcycle frames and small parts. Are there any small scale setups ? THANKS .

Peter James
- bridgewater NS Canada
2000

A. Peter, if you have propane or natural gas for the "burner" you could effectively construct a small block building (it would have to be lined for efficiency) and use a small grain dryer as a blower/burner. Very cheap way to go I would estimate less than $2,500 US.

It will cost more for the gun and the trial and error powder you will waste before you gain confidence in your final product. Motorcycle owners are a very picky crowd! But it can be quite profitable also. I would recommend a bigger oven (8X15) to allow for bigger items / multiple products.

Bruce Volden
engraving & laser art - Harrisburg South Dakota

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A. To paint motorcycle frames or any other parts requires a means to clean metal. The metal must be dry to apply powder and usually this is done in a oven set for 300 °F for 10 minutes. A booth draws the powder away from you and the part being coated, The booth can be exhausted outdoors or for slightly more money recirculate to room air. The powder paint material can be spray to waste or collected and recycled. You need to have the part being coated grounded. Need a powder spray gun and electric/pneumatic controls. Need a compressor and you should have an air dryer to remove moisture from the compressed air. Finally you need a cure oven for the powder that can achieve an air temperature of 375 °F and you would be safer planning for 450 °F. You will need to make racks to hold frames and other parts for cleaning, baking and powder coating.

Tyrone L. Caley
- Jefferson City, Missouri

Q. Very interested in low cost oven for powder coating! Gates, fence panels, hand rails. Thought about grain driers also. Can build box but don't know about temp control, air flow blowing powder off etc. Any suggestions?

English Cooper
- Elliott, South Carolina

A. Hi, English. The Chemical Coaters Association International has a great 141-page softcover "Powder Coating" book authored by Roger Talbert which covers the most important elements of all of the powder coating modules, including the dry off oven and the curing oven. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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