Powdercoating

[capnmchl]

Just a question of curiosity really.

Whenever any of you go to get bits powdercoated, do you tell the company which bits to cover up (where bearings and bushes sit etc) or do you do it yourself?

[DanThe]

You dont need to mask for bushes but you do for bearings, I always point it out as they use an aluminium heat resistant tape when powdercoating, when they go for blasting I tape up threads and bearing surfaces beforehand

[Demlotcrew]

Wont the heat damage the bushes?

[Topblag]

what kind of tape won't get shredded by sandblasting ?

I've got some odds and ends to be powder coatedbut always assumed anything that's left on, unless covered by some hardy metal would get mangled e.g. bushes, gaitors, threads.

[suedenim]

I think Danthe is saying with all bearings and bushes removed, the bearing apertures would need masking, bushes won't.

[capnmchl]

Well I'm taking all the bearings and bushes out, but I was just wondering if I go through what needs saving from the paint with them, will the mask it for me, or will i have to be chipping off loads of it when I get it all back.

[Crazyoll]

Capn,

We get stuff powdercoated a lot a work..
Like DanThe said - some metallic tape would be good to put over the parts you want to protect. But it is notouriously hard to mask when powdercoating - as the powder is so fine and then in the baking process you have the heat to cope with.
If i were you i would mask the areas you want to protect and put a big note on the box or whatever you put the parts in.
Also removing the bushes is a good idea.
Does anyone know how hot those ovens get?

[Rav335uk]

About 220 degrees

[capnmchl]

Well I got all the bushes and bearings out this afternoon, so I'll pop round to a few places this afternoon and have a word with them. If they want me to mask it up I'll take their suggestions and get on with I guess.

[Crazyoll]

220 degrees!
that's hot! i'm sure bushes couldnt hack that..
Lets see some pics when they are done Capn.