steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
Thank you man! I’m digging it. I just need to do a 2nd coat next time!
What’s on *YOUR* workbench?
- Thread starter Bricksnbeatles
- Start date
jhaneyzz
Well-known member
I like the two tone look with the unfinished lip, but I think most folks would think it looks more "professional" to have it all powder coated.
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
GizzWizzKing
Well-known member
Harry Klippton
Not Interested
It's not that bad tho
GizzWizzKing
Well-known member
Appreciated. I pulled a bit from a few and feel better about it.
Alan W
Well-known member
My background involved applying finishes to many materials. Mainly forms of paint, but we jobbed out powder coating and anodizing. Aluminum is not a great surface for either paint or powder coating to adhere to.
For paint, after a thorough cleaning, we would use an etching primer, that basically eats into the surface of the aluminum (microscopically, it still feels like a smooth surface). For powder coating, the surface prep (done at the powder coasters), included several chemical baths, and some fine media blasting, all basically to remove any possible oxidation (which would cause poor adhesion). And parts handling was done with clean gloves, etc.
I guess what I’m saying is that for powder coating to adhere well, you need to make sure the aluminum is ridiculously clean. Thick, or multiple, coats, do protect the surface better, but they don’t increase adherence, it’s all in the bond that the first coat develops.
Thats a great color, and I think you’re going to be happy with your end result.
temol
Well-known member
Nice color!
How did you prepare surface for powder coating? I always sand the parts, wash in soapy water and finally clean with acetone. I've never had a problem with the coating peeling off. I also use rubber gloves when handling before painting.
I doubt you need two coats. Did you bake at the temperature/time recommended by the paint manufacturer?
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andare
Well-known member
Love the color! And love how you guys are all learning to build these enclosures. It's hard to go back to plain old boxes once you've been spoiled by a custom one.
andare
Well-known member
You should see the breakout board of my first PedalPCB build. Poor thing never had a chance...and it stops working every few weeks. I say you did good.
Nostradoomus
Well-known member
Not too shabby! What kinda tip were you using?
Smrtokvitek
Well-known member
You can always make it look better with enough flux and solder wick.
xefned
Well-known member
It's pre road-worn. Some people pay extra for Strats with dings and scuffs!
I'd probably use it as is, then improve w/ 2 coats on your next powder coat adventure.
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
@Alan W thank you the tips. I’m going to be implementing them next time! I could’ve definitely spent a little more time cleaning up the parts. @temol I have a pre prep degreaser that I bought from EASTWOOD. It’s great stuff it immediately removes any grease and grime. I think I didn’t pay enough attention to that area. For the baking times I pre bake my part at 450 for an hour. I heard there can be trapped Gases in there. So to release them I did a pre bake. After (while powder coating) I set the oven still at 450 so that when I put the part in it’s already at temp. Put the part in let it reflow. Then I drop the temp to 400 for 20 minutes. These were the instructions on the bottle. I can say that I should’ve sanded the part down first that will be done for sure next time!
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steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
Im digging the look but i think i might ultimately just powder coat it as wellIt's pre road-worn. Some people pay extra for Strats with dings and scuffs!
I'd probably use it as is, then improve w/ 2 coats on your next powder coat adventure.
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
Dude once i bought my first custom enclosure from @DGWVI ive been wanting to make them! I love everything about making them i would highly suggest you try it out. You might become addicted
GizzWizzKing
Well-known member
HA! yes... my poor Bluesbreaker... it didn't deserve to have me go at it like an untrained surgeon...
I believe its a Weller long conical tip. I decided against the drag method, but after doing this I think something less pointy may have been a better option for a quicker heat transfer.
steviejr92
Authorized Vendor
andare
Well-known member
Seeing as I live in 20 square meters with the equivalent of a small music store, I doubt I'll ever have the space to bend metalDude once i bought my first custom enclosure from @DGWVI ive been wanting to make them! I love everything about making them i would highly suggest you try it out. You might become addicted