If you’re like me, you have a hard time reading the little numbers on your socket set when you’re working. Between reading the shallow marks through chrome reflections and my own aging vision, I often end up grabbing a socket that’s one size off of what I need. Even with […]
Powder coating has become one of the most rewarding finishing options for home fabricators, restorers, and hobbyists. It’s durable, attractive, and when done right, it’s more environmentally friendly than solvent-based paint. But once you move beyond coating a single bracket or engine mount, you’ll discover it becomes more difficult. Success […]
If you’ve ever tried stripping powder coating using regular paint stripper, you already know it’s not the same job. Powder coating isn’t just thick paint—it’s a thermoset polymer finish that chemically bonds to the metal during curing. When baked at 375–400°F, the powder melts, flows, and crosslinks into a hard […]
Powder coating differs from traditional paint in many ways, among them the use of clear coat. In general, clear coats are not applied to most gloss powder finishes. However, it can be done when you want to add extra protection, enhance the finish, or achieve a specific appearance. One question […]
When old-timers say, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” they might as well be talking about taillight housings. In the days before injection-molded plastic assemblies with highly reflective vacuum-metalized reflectors, most taillight and turn signal housings were metal. And over time, that metal would eventually oxidize and get […]
One of the first Eastwood products I ever purchased was a Golden Cad replica paint kit for a Volkswagen I was resto-modding. I wanted to match the original yellow chromate plating finish on some engine hardware that had corroded. I didn’t need it to be concours-perfect, it just needed to […]
When it comes to getting a great powder coated finish, applying multiple layers is often key to a durable and attractive job. There are two ways to build multiple coats of powder: hot flocking and cold coating. While both techniques aim to enhance the appearance and longevity of metal surfaces, […]
While primer is generally used to ensure proper adhesion when painting bare metal, it’s often overlooked in powder coating. It’s true that electrostatically-applied and heat-cured powder finishes tend to bond better than wet finishes. However, certain situations call for a base layer even when powder coating, and that’s where powder […]
Many DIY car enthusiasts have no problem picking up powder coating as a skill. The satisfaction of creating a beautiful, durable finish on your own parts is hard to beat. It does, however, require some special equipment to get started, including a reliable heating device to cure the powdered paint. […]
