simple Hi-Tek coating

[Ausglock]

In winter here in OZ ( about 4 to 8 Deg C coldest) I used the warm hair dryer to help speed up the "drying" time before baking. The coated bullets were just warm to the touch.

[HI-TEK]

For measuring the components I use aluminum kitchen measuring spoons. I measure out the color first, then 3 parts acetone, then 1 part catalyst, then the rest of the acetone. I have no issues with curdling. I use the acetone to clean the spoon with between the color and catalyst.
I'll post some pictures of my PID units I build later. I bought the parts off E-Bay and assembly was not difficult at all. I do think my oldest oven is in need of replacement as the temperature varies even with the PID hooked up. This is a very old toaster oven so I will look for another convection oven.
I did notice today with temperatures in the high 60s that the coating did not dry as well as when it is over 100 degrees. I increased dry time to 20 minutes and also set a couple of the racks on the top of the ovens at the end of the time to help them dry.

I have had some who had problems with drying, especially in cold and damp conditions.
What has been found in the past, if the Acetone supplier, if not storing the drum in air tight containers, and is old stock, the Acetone may have up to 10% water content from absorption of airborne moisture.
Many are not even aware of such detail.
The Water content should not really affect the coatings, aside from the fact that it takes a long time to fully dry, even if it feels dry to the touch.
Moisture is trapped in the coating film, and will not easily dry.
Most obvious symptoms are, that cooked film will contain very fine bubbles, poor adhesion, and when sized, visible fine craters in coating film.
There are no real way of avoiding this sort of problems aside from more drying/warming time of first coated alloys.

[Gremlin460]

The coating arrived yesterday thank you so much Joe.

I will play with it today as its 28+ outside so will be a great day for drying.
I also want to thank you for the additional colour samples, that was both kind and very cruel of you to include them!.
Kind because it was unexpected. Cruel because I keep picking one up to try it, then change my mind and pick a different colour, then start all over again!!.
I know its a easy answer, try them all , the tough decision is which one first.
I even tried picking one with my eyes closed, saying whatever it is, this one first. But then that selection method failed aswell.. *sigh*

I went with the gold today, 50ml/10ml/70ml, Col/cat/acet. So now they are drying out in the sunshine and the oven is on.

Again thank you.

[Ausglock]

Grem. Don't stuff it up this time.......

[Gremlin460]

Grem. Don't stuff it up this time.......

Dear Mr/Miss AuzClock.

I am havink a problem wiff the coating, every time I trie the swipe test before I bake the coating kumms off.
Also the smash test wurks fine but I have found them hard to size afterwards. Why do I have to smash test them all??

Fanks in advance..
Annonymouse.

PS I coodnt afford a propa sizing die , so I just cut the bit off the barrel off that sticks out the end, off course I filed the edges smooth first!.
I figure at that's the size that I need it maked a good sizing die.

[HI-TEK]

The coating arrived yesterday thank you so much Joe.

I will play with it today as its 28+ outside so will be a great day for drying.
I also want to thank you for the additional colour samples, that was both kind and very cruel of you to include them!.
Kind because it was unexpected. Cruel because I keep picking one up to try it, then change my mind and pick a different colour, then start all over again!!.
I know its a easy answer, try them all , the tough decision is which one first.
I even tried picking one with my eyes closed, saying whatever it is, this one first. But then that selection method failed aswell.. *sigh*

I went with the gold today, 50ml/10ml/70ml, Col/cat/acet. So now they are drying out in the sunshine and the oven is on.

Again thank you.

Soooooo, what is news???
Any success????

[Sulla]

I also want to thank you for the additional colour samples, that was both kind and very cruel of you to include them!.
Kind because it was unexpected. Cruel because I keep picking one up to try it, then change my mind and pick a different colour, then start all over again!!.

Loose lips sink ships!!

Where are my additional colour samples Joe?

Did you forget to include them?

[Ausglock]

No. I have them.

[HI-TEK]

Loose lips sink ships!!

Where are my additional colour samples Joe?

Did you forget to include them?

As Ausglock said..

He sneaked in here when I was not looking, and ran away with secret formulas.
That is all I had available.
He also took the formulation, so I cant produce any more....lol...lol

[Sulla]

Great Trevor!
Please keep them safe for me!


No problemo Joe!

Attempting a bit of jocularity!

[Gremlin460]

Soooooo, what is news???
Any success????

Well first coat was that thin I was not sure I had actually coated it, only the speckle gave it away, after the first bake they turned a lovely gold colour that survived the wipe test.
They also survived sizing once cool. A few had a lead wipe near where the base flashing was.
These have now received a second coat and been in the sun for 2 hours while I was called away to do the work thing.
Oven is now heating to temp for the second run through. Will post pictures of both the end result and the smash test.

[Gremlin460]

This pic was taken while the second coat was drying



This is a sideways picture of the result after a smash test.



Now its off to the gun shop tomorrow for a tin of unique and some CCI 500 primers. On sunday (aus time) I will have the answer re-leading or no leading.


Here are 2 random pictures taken of the test batch.

[Ausglock]

far too much coating used.
They should be shiny, not dull and rough.

[HI-TEK]

far too much coating used.
They should be shiny, not dull and rough.

It is not bad after first try. I always see many over do with use of coatings in early stages.
Sizing will take care of any rough surfaces. As long as coating stays on it should be OK.
I dont mind over use, it means people use more.
I have said many times, always use as little as possible to just barely cover with each coat.
Very thin (dilute) coatings dry faster, and with multiple coats, you end up using less coatings, and product looks great and works great.

[Sulla]

On sunday (aus time) I will have the answer re-leading or no leading.

Anyone who has read this thread already knows the answer!

Look forward to hearing your observatons.

[Gremlin460]

far too much coating used.
They should be shiny, not dull and rough.

Not a problem, next batch underway with 50% less coating application.
Back to the learning curve.

[Magana559]

Going to load some in 45-70 gov, 357 mag at magnum velocities, 9mm luger, 30-06 at increased velocities over cast, and maybe 7.62X39....lots of loading to do tomorrow!

[HI-TEK]

Not a problem, next batch underway with 50% less coating application.
Back to the learning curve.

With your reduction by 50% usage idea, I dont know what quantity you used for these ones.
To try and put things into perspective, the Blue Green, Green and similar coloured coatings, the coverage ranges from 35,000 to 45,000 projectiles, per litre of coating.
The "Metallics" coat around 35,000 to 38,000 per litre, as these are normally used with higher energy applications.
I am aware, that with Dark Green, user/s, can coat nearly 60,000 per litre, and coating functions fine.
You need to calculate volumes of coatings that will be required to coat the amount of projectiles you have available for coating.
You always cast much more than required, and that way. you use up all
pre-mixed coating and none is wasted.
If you have any non coated projectiles left, they can be coated with next batch.
That is simplest way to maximise efficiency of coating use without wastage.

[PodPeople]

I am aware, that with Dark Green, user/s, can coat nearly 60,000 per litre, and coating functions fine.

Is that with one or two coats?

[HI-TEK]

Is that with one or two coats?

From what I have been told, they use two very thin coats.
They also advised, that from their output and coating usages, that they had estimated those sort of figures over a period.
Others use same coating, and they may get a different usage rate.
It really all depends on what finish they are happy with, and if it works, why change it.