powder coat clear coat?

so i just bought a powder coat gun, been playing with it...the gun that is.

I read where people were shooting a color coat, Then clearing it. To me that means spray color, bake it, pull it out spray clear then bake again.Problem was that after the first cOAt was baked, the part was all sealed up, so the clear coat had no negativeity (no metal surface) to stick to. So do I color coat, then clear over the top THEN bake, or what? Thanks!

I think that the clear coat is just to coat aluminum and protect bare metal finishes..Thats what I herd I couled be wrong..

Edited: 10/11/2008 11:20:04 PM by dragggn

hmmmm. well i dunno, but I do know that some of the colors i ordered ask for there to be a clear on top too if you want to use coated item outside. So maybe there is more than one use..

I just cant find (on any coating forums) the proper way to top coat colors.

but thanks!

I would think that you would color coat, bake, sand, then shoot clear. I dunno everything I have shot with powder I never had to clear. Of course I was doing kubota tractors, so Not sure on that one.

I would think that you would color coat, bake, sand, then shoot clear. I dunno everything I have shot with powder I never had to clear. Of course I was doing kubota tractors, so Not sure on that one.

Edited: 10/12/2008 12:56:55 AM by dragggn

the colors that are asking for the clear are mostly metalics... cant see sanding those before clear... would turn them all grey like metalic paint would'nt it.I dont want to seem ingratefull for you guys taking time out to help me on this, just not sure if the answer is there yet.....

Thank you: AnthonyThank you: Junior

(edit)Oh and wouldnt the piece still be sealed off from the whole neg/positve electrostatic process to work?

(update)--- i've read one place (only ONE) that said to only bake it 1/2 to 2/3 of full cure, then recoat with the clear... does this sound right to any one? seems like it might become a pain in the ass to try to catch it in time! what if you let it cure too much? sand blast and stat over???

Alright I did some research. From what I can gather to use a liquid clear over a powder coat all you need to do is scotch brite the surface until completely dull, then shoot your clear. Like I said this question had me stumped so I researched it. They also make a powder clear. You gotta think about finished powder as a single stage. Once you sand single stage, if you don't cut too hard you can clear with a good outcome. Hopefully that helps. Try google by typing in clear over powdercoating. That's where I got my info from.

Yes you can clear coat powder coat. Like stated above, just scotch brite it and spray your clear, then of course your cut and buff. We do it at the shop all the time.

well- there you have it then i guess..
thanks for all the help guys
and sorry for having any doubt in you Junior!!

clear powdercoat or powderpaint as its called in the industry is for bare metal parts.

The best bet for putting clear over powdered parts is automotive clear. use a gray scotchbrite pad or wet sand with 600 and use regular automotive clear.

You can also mix some clear powder into the color for more gloss. Most places shoot to waste anyway so no loss.
Where I was working we were doing truck parts satin black on an 840 ft conveyor line and shooting into filters that recycled the powder.
when we needed a color change or small part we just shot it in one of the paint booths upline from the powderpaint booth.