2021 - Volume #45, Issue #1, Page #35
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DIY Powder Coating Better Than Paint
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Schminke was frustrated when a receiver hitch holder he built started rusting. He was tired of his various receiver hitches rolling around in the back of his truck, so he designed and built a 5-hitch holder.
“I spray-painted it, but I wasn’t happy with the durability of the paint,” says Schminke. “After a time, it started flaking and rusting.”
By then, Schminke was selling his hitch holders. He prices them at $30 for a 2-hitch unit and $10 for each additional holding pocket. He looked into custom powder coating, but the cost was more than the hitches were worth.
That’s when he came across a solution at www.eastwood.com. Eastwood sells a $900 professional powder coating system and a $5,400 4 by 4 by 6-ft. oven, but they also have starter kits for as little as $52.97. The kits include an 11,000-volt electrode gun, black powder and all the accessories needed. The company website also includes how-to information. All Schminke had to provide was a low-pressure air line and an oven capable of reaching 400 to 500F.
“It’s not bad to do,” he says. “I use a standard home oven and powder coat all my hitch holders. I’ve even started doing some custom powder coating for others.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Todd Schminke, 403 5th St. E, Newhall, Iowa 52315 (ph 319 223-7586; www.facebook.com/HeartNHand17).
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