Paint Properties
Here is a quick rundown on each type of powder and how it stands up.
Acrylic: Excellent appearance and weatherability. Good impact-resistance. Epoxy: Very tough as well as resistant to chemicals but is said to visually "chalk" in continued exposure sunlight.
Polyester: Very durable with good "edge" coverage. Extra spray/thicker film is no problem.
Polyester Urethane: Very durable, excellent thin film usuage.
Powder Coating At Home
The Eastwood Company's HotCoat powdercoating system has been a top kit for professionals as well as for small shops and home use. Eastwood is celebrating 30 years in 2008 and has offered portable units for at least 20.
For the record, a portable powdercoating spray gun costs about $99 and complete kits begin at around $199, not including powder paint. Eastwood Company also offers portable spray booths, filters plus all the hot colors including a correct shade of chassis black.
Over the last two decades, we have seen many Eastwood portable power coating systems in action. Most recently we witnessed a pot metal molding being powdercoated purple. In this particular owner's case, a portable spray gun and a few different powder colors were purchased. The owner then crafted his own booth and an Eastwood portable heater did the curing. Start-to-finish was way under one hour.
If we were looking for part-time income, powdercoating is what we would do. In time, side work often turns into full-time and a career is born. In all, we think this is fun work that anyone could do. It does not cost a huge investment to get started.
 Over time, factory valve cover...  Over time, factory valve cover paint will not only crack but tarnish too. This example was just powdercoated Chevy Orange. It will never crack, peel or tarnish and it can be easily cleaned with a rag. |  Besides looking great, powdercoated...  Besides looking great, powdercoated cycle and car metal rims can eliminate air leaks due to porosity. |  Here's an industrial job Andrews...  Here's an industrial job Andrews Powdercoating was handling. Multiple metal cases were first powdercoated flat white then the brand name "Clyde" was stenciled with black powder as shown. The next and final job was to powdercoat each case with clear. |