See the next section for a detailed discussion of the differences between thermoset and thermoplastic coats. What’s good for a car may not be good for a small trinket or decoration.
For example, you might sand-blast whatever you want to powder coat until it’s down to bare metal. This is the first step in the process. If you don’t have access to a sandblaster, you can also use a wire wheel, bench-grinder, or even sandpaper. Just as long as you get the material down to bare metal. The next step is to strip the metal of any remaining grime or gunk. You can achieve this by soaking the item in acetone (if the item is small enough) or by wiping it with an acetone-soaked rag.
Make sure you have your electrostatic charge hooked up to whatever part you are coating. The powder you use won’t properly adhere unless it’s given a charge to hold onto. After applying the coat but before curing, be careful not to brush or blow on the powder coat, as this will cause some of the powder to fall off, leaving you with a less precise coat.
You can use a conventional oven to powder coat smaller items. Just be sure that you won’t be using the oven to cook food after the powder coating. Once you’ve used an oven to powder coat, it absolutely should not be used for cooking.
Thermostat coatings are ideal for things like electronics and appliances because they need to withstand higher amounts of heat, which might cause thermoplastic coatings to melt.
Thermosets are said to reinforce the structural integrity of an item, making them particularly suitable for heavy wear-and-tear. They also supply the item with superior chemical and heat resistance, as mentioned above. [6] X Research source Thermoplastics offer a mixture of strength and flexibility. They are commonly used for items such as plastic bags and even mechanical parts.
Advantages: beautiful aesthetic look; cheap; added strength and stability; resistant to extreme temperatures. Disadvantages: irreversible process means thermoset can’t be recycled; more difficult to finish; can’t be reshaped. [8] X Research source
Advantages: high lubricity or tack;[10] X Research source recyclable; able to remolded and/or reshaped; increased impact resistance. Disadvantages: more expensive (usually); can melt off if overheated.
