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Metallic powder coating isn't working

Hello, My name is Alex Martinez. I work as a painter (powder) in Fresno,CA and I have been having problem with the metallic powder that we use at my job. My problem is that I can't get it to fluidize properly. Also products painted with this metallic are coming out of the oven (400) (6 fpm) with orange peel. No matter what I have tried it still has this look. We are losing a lot of parts and money because of this. Any suggestions?

Alex Martinez
employee - Fresno, California, USA
April 22, 2009

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First of three simultaneous responses --

You need to talk to tech services of both the paint company and the paint equipment company. Ideally, they will send in a service rep to help. If they sell it, they should support it.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
April 23, 2009

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Second of three simultaneous responses --

Alex,
If you are using a metallic TGIC you won't be able to get rid of the Orange peel. It was explained to the paint rep that you needed a smooth metallic, right? Make him produce the look that you want, if he can't do it, neither will you. The coating thickness should be very thin with a metallic, the paint charges and transfers very well if the application equipment is in good shape.

Try not to load the hopper more than half full, the fluidizing should improve unless you are working with a lot of humidity, or it could be that the membrane in the bottom of the hopper is plugged with little metallic particles from the paint and air might not be able to pass through it anymore.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
April 23, 2009

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Third of three simultaneous responses -- April 23, 2009

Dear Alex, Your problems could be attributed to one of the following.
1. Damp powder.
2. Old powder.
3. Aluminium content in powder higher than the recommended dosage.
4. Dry blended powder... if this is the case evaluate a bonded metallic.
5. KV too high, try to lower Kv to 45-50 Kv
6. Powder Mf new to making metallics... try alternative supplier.
7. Spray equipment not suitable for metallic powder... some are better than others.
8. Poor earthing.
Are you sure that the powder you think is based upon resin/aluminium but is really based upon mica simulated metallic finish. High mica content can also cause you those problems including "spitting".

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom

what is the probable reasons of orange peel on metallic powder 9007 and RAl 6005 powder

ABOOBAKER CHUDESARA
ANODIZING/POWDER COATING CHEMIST - Lagos, Nigeria
May 6, 2011