DIY Phosphate Coating

[Fronkies]

Good Morning Y'all. I need some assistance with phosphate coatings. I have been powder coating with reasonable success for a little while and want to up my game a little. I have been reading about phosphate coatings prior to applying the powder and want to know if anyone makes their own phosphate wash and how that wash is applied. Help and guidance is always appreciated.

[DieselFumes]

Before I started powdercoating parts on my own I took my parts to a local pc shop. They talked about how great their phosphate wash was but I was never happy with the durability of the finish. When I started doing my own parts i decided to give my parts a quick sandblast, blow the dust off with air, and powder coat them. The finish is significantly more durable than any parts i had professionally coated elseware so never looked into phosphate wash or any other method. Super pleased with how my stuff turns out. I think the phosphate wash is a quick and easy way to clean the parts before coating in a high volume environment but not necessarily the best method.

[Fronkies]

Before I started powdercoating parts on my own I took my parts to a local pc shop. They talked about how great their phosphate wash was but I was never happy with the durability of the finish. When I started doing my own parts i decided to give my parts a quick sandblast, blow the dust off with air, and powder coat them. The finish is significantly more durable than any parts i had professionally coated elseware so never looked into phosphate wash or any other method. Super pleased with how my stuff turns out. I think the phosphate wash is a quick and easy way to clean the parts before coating in a high volume environment but not necessarily the best method.

I have never paid for powder coating. I got a second-hand kit and started learning. I have been slowly working to improve and am looking at everything I can so as to broaden my knowledge base. As for the my question, I cannot see buying a prewash when I have ospho already in my shop. (I play with rusty parts sometimes) My go-to has been cut, deburr any dross, strip the mill scale with a purple paint stripping pad on my angle grinder, sandblast, rinse with non-chlorinated brake cleaner, blow dry the parts, and then powder coat. I would like to be able to soak or rinse my parts to prevent rust. Then I could make a bunch more at one time and not have to worry about getting the parts in the oven before they rust.

[DieselFumes]

Sounds like a great system. I am trying to stay away from chemicals anymore so i tried not washing the parts with brake cleaner or anything after sandblasting, just blow them clean of dust, and i see no difference. Coatings turn out great.

[Fronkies]

Sounds like a great system. I am trying to stay away from chemicals anymore so i tried not washing the parts with brake cleaner or anything after sandblasting, just blow them clean of dust, and i see no difference. Coatings turn out great.

While I am still in pursuit of the secret sauce recipe, I will try that and see how my parts turn out. Thank you.

[adbuch]

Sounds like a great system. I am trying to stay away from chemicals anymore so i tried not washing the parts with brake cleaner or anything after sandblasting, just blow them clean of dust, and i see no difference. Coatings turn out great.

[adbuch]

Before I started powdercoating parts on my own I took my parts to a local pc shop. They talked about how great their phosphate wash was but I was never happy with the durability of the finish. When I started doing my own parts i decided to give my parts a quick sandblast, blow the dust off with air, and powder coat them. The finish is significantly more durable than any parts i had professionally coated elseware so never looked into phosphate wash or any other method. Super pleased with how my stuff turns out. I think the phosphate wash is a quick and easy way to clean the parts before coating in a high volume environment but not necessarily the best method.

I have never paid for powder coating. I got a second-hand kit and started learning. I have been slowly working to improve and am looking at everything I can so as to broaden my knowledge base. As for the my question, I cannot see buying a prewash when I have ospho already in my shop. (I play with rusty parts sometimes) My go-to has been cut, deburr any dross, strip the mill scale with a purple paint stripping pad on my angle grinder, sandblast, rinse with non-chlorinated brake cleaner, blow dry the parts, and then powder coat. I would like to be able to soak or rinse my parts to prevent rust. Then I could make a bunch more at one time and not have to worry about getting the parts in the oven before they rust.

I think for best results powder coating directly after sandblasting would be the way to go. I personally would stay away from the brake cleaner and other chemicals as much as you can.

David

[Fronkies]

Before I started powdercoating parts on my own I took my parts to a local pc shop. They talked about how great their phosphate wash was but I was never happy with the durability of the finish. When I started doing my own parts i decided to give my parts a quick sandblast, blow the dust off with air, and powder coat them. The finish is significantly more durable than any parts i had professionally coated elseware so never looked into phosphate wash or any other method. Super pleased with how my stuff turns out. I think the phosphate wash is a quick and easy way to clean the parts before coating in a high volume environment but not necessarily the best method.

I have never paid for powder coating. I got a second-hand kit and started learning. I have been slowly working to improve and am looking at everything I can so as to broaden my knowledge base. As for the my question, I cannot see buying a prewash when I have ospho already in my shop. (I play with rusty parts sometimes) My go-to has been cut, deburr any dross, strip the mill scale with a purple paint stripping pad on my angle grinder, sandblast, rinse with non-chlorinated brake cleaner, blow dry the parts, and then powder coat. I would like to be able to soak or rinse my parts to prevent rust. Then I could make a bunch more at one time and not have to worry about getting the parts in the oven before they rust.

I think for best results powder coating directly after sandblasting would be the way to go. I personally would stay away from the brake cleaner and other chemicals as much as you can.

David

I have had good luck so far with brake cleaner but I am actively working to get away from it. Besides just being bad to breathe, the expense is too high.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Question for those who blast and coat only, are you pre-baking your parts to allow for off-gassing (oils & moisture) prior to applying powder? The same quality of air needs to go into the sand blaster / pc gun that goes into the plaz tables.

Back in the oil field painting days I would use the Hotsy brand Phosphatizer No. 2 on bare metal as a final step for prep, I could let it set for a week with no rusting issues and then would top coat only / no primer. The coating never had a bonding issue.

[adbuch]

Question for those who blast and coat only, are you pre-baking your parts to allow for off-gassing (oils & moisture) prior to applying powder? The same quality of air needs to go into the sand blaster / pc gun that goes into the plaz tables.

Back in the oil field painting days I would use the Hotsy brand Phosphatizer No. 2 on bare metal as a final step for prep, I could let it set for a week with no rusting issues and then would top coat only / no primer. The coating never had a bonding issue.

[AREA]

I have had good luck so far with brake cleaner but I am actively working to get away from it. Besides just being bad to breathe, the expense is too high.

It does work well but yes the cost and health aspects of using it on a regular basis has got me away from it and into the sandblasting.

[Fronkies]

Question for those who blast and coat only, are you pre-baking your parts to allow for off-gassing (oils & moisture) prior to applying powder? The same quality of air needs to go into the sand blaster / pc gun that goes into the plaz tables.

Back in the oil field painting days I would use the Hotsy brand Phosphatizer No. 2 on bare metal as a final step for prep, I could let it set for a week with no rusting issues and then would top coat only / no primer. The coating never had a bonding issue.

I only outgas cast or previously used parts. I use new steel for everything that goes onto my table.

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Thanks for the update