Powder Coating

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FraserValley

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Need some help / advice on doing this (better). First time doing this.

Read this one :

h t t p s ://www.snipercountry.com/powder-coating-bullets/

Got all the gear needed, used the following projectiles :

Wolf 38 Special (.357) 158gr RNFP Projectiles : which apparently have these specs : 92% lead - 6% Antimony - 2% Tin

Used this Powder :

TOOL BLUE (PC1196) from Emerald Coatings


Result : kind of ok, but not an even coating. Some came out better than others, but they look a bit patchy.

I was going easy on the amount of powder, as I didn't want to overdo it and put too thick a layer onto the projectiles.

Cooked them at 400F for 20 minutes, let them cool a couple, and then took 'em out. That worked fine.

Would like to get that nice even coating I have seen others achieve.

Let me have your suggestions / tips for getting a better result.
 
Yes, the stores have to do it because the ignorant masses don't know the difference between ammunition and bullets.

Everyone reading this forum knows what a bullet is and is comfortable with using the proper nomenclature.

A "projectile" is any object in ballistic flight. That lump of metal in your hand is not a "projectile". It may have been. It might be in the future. But right now, it is a bullet.

Good luck with the powder coating. When you get it figured out you will be able to control bullet diameter, which can be handy in some situations.
 
Ganderite said:
There is a technical name for those "projectiles".

We call them "bullets".
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Cut the guy some slack
Many, many people and places use that word.
I use that word specifically on this site when I'm looking for bullets because of the replies to my adds from people trying to sell me ammunition.
I know a fellow who has been handloading for 50+ years who uses that word. I would hardly call him ignorant.
I think its fine for people to use projectile seeing how its used so synonymously with bullet.
Thats just my take on it
 
FraserValley said:
Need some help / advice on doing this (better). First time doing this.

Read this one :

h t t p s ://www.snipercountry.com/powder-coating-bullets/

Got all the gear needed, used the following projectiles :

Wolf 38 Special (.357) 158gr RNFP Projectiles : which apparently have these specs : 92% lead - 6% Antimony - 2% Tin

Used this Powder :

TOOL BLUE (PC1196) from Emerald Coatings


Result : kind of ok, but not an even coating. Some came out better than others, but they look a bit patchy.

I was going easy on the amount of powder, as I didn't want to overdo it and put too thick a layer onto the projectiles.

Cooked them at 400F for 20 minutes, let them cool a couple, and then took 'em out. That worked fine.

Would like to get that nice even coating I have seen others achieve.

Let me have your suggestions / tips for getting a better result.
Click to expand...

if your bullets have been cast long enough they will have a minute ammount of oxidation on them an will not take powder well ,,,use just cast to play with don
 
Were the bullets unlubed when you bought them or did you strip the lube off? Residual lube will inhibit the adhesion of the powder.

You don't need a lot of powder. After swirling you should only have a small amount left in the container (maybe a 9mm case worth).

You don't need 20 min at 400 degrees for Tool Blue. I bake at 375 for about 14 minutes and they come out fine.

A couple of suggestions:
Make sure the container you are using to swirl the bullets is the correct type of plastic (a #5).
Give the bullets a quick swirl in acetone or lacquer thinner to remove any residual oils or lube. Spread them on a towel and the solvent will evaporate very quickly.
Try pre-heating the bullets before you swirl them. I put them in a metal pan sitting on top of the toaster oven and heat them so they are just hot enough to hold without burning my hand. I then dump them in the plastic container and swirl until I get full coverage (only takes 15-20 seconds).

Using this technique I consistently get 98-100% coverage with Tool Blue, Gloss Black and Clear, all of which coat well (some other colours do not).

And yes, high humidity is not your friend.
 
Got good results with warm coating, powder sticks way better, maybe too much. I`ll get that sorted out soon. I am figuring out the powder gun, think i`ll be coming up with a system to collect the overspray for re-use, not that here is much when you remember to step on the foot pedal.
Tumbling is also working for me as well.
 
I’ve went to using ABS pipe with caps for powder coating, ABS produces a lot of static which is what makes the powder cling to the bullet. I got this idea from the Cast Boollet website.
 
infideleggwelder said:
Got good results with warm coating, powder sticks way better, maybe too much. I`ll get that sorted out soon.
Click to expand...
If the powder coating seems a little thick try cutting back the amount in the container. I aim to have just a small bit of residue left after swirling. I also give the bullets a shake before putting them in the heating pan to remove excess powder.
 
I use a hair dryer to heat up the bullets first in the margarine container before i add the powder. Seems to makes the powder cling better.
 
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