Hi-Tek coating not getting into Lube Groove

[dbarnhart]

I'm doing my first test of the HK coating. Using brand new clean and dry cast bullets (cast by me). Following Ausglock's instructions here:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...=1#post3916776

My first batch is drying now before going into the oven, and it seems like the coating did not get into the lube groove. Suggestions?

[slide]

Don't worry about it. It is not needed in the lube groove,it doesn't touch the barrel. It bothered me the first few times but after shooting the bullets,no worries as the Aussies say. I hope you verified the temp on your oven? Probably the #1 cause of failures.

[dbarnhart]

I already know the oven is going to be problem. I'm a chef and I checked it with a professional thermometer. Set to 450F it cycles between 350 and 415. I figure I'll try this first batch anyway. Probably will end up bypassing the oven's thermostat and using a PID.

[slide]

You are a wise man. You might be a little too high on the 415F. Might darken your bullets some. If you follow Ausglock's instructions you will be ok. This stuff takes a little time to get right. If bullets don't come out right remelt and try again. I enjoy casting and coating, good for your mental state. Good luck!

[Grmps]

Many of us put "heat retention media" like, ceramic briquettes, fire brick, metal plate etc. in the oven to help maintain the given temperature and shorten recovery time from opening the oven. A fan helps speed up drying and cooling the coated bullets.
3 basics, don't apply to much coating, don't swirl - coat to long, make sure the bullets are completely dry before baking.
prewarming the bullets by setting the tray on spacers on your counter-top (preferably convection) oven before baking helps.

[Ausglock]

Good Job, Fellas.
My work here is done.

[popper]

If they don't come out right, just TL and shoot. Coat some more.

[dbarnhart]

Here is the result of the first try. They pass the smash test and the rub test.

[slide]

They look real good. Get a notebook and write down everything you did.

[ioon44]

Are you using Candy Apple Red? The bullets look great with my Candy apple Red I don't get all the lube rings coated, to me the Candy Apple Red is easy to use.

[dbarnhart]

Yes, Candy Apple Red. I picked it just because I like the color. This process is working out easier than I thought. I coated 200 boolits yesterday and I'll probably do 800 today.

[ioon44]

To me getting the coating completely dry before baking is the most critical to success, I like to get them over 100 deg F for 30 min, this is probably over kill on the drying but I don't have any failures and time for me isn't a issue.

[dbarnhart]

I live in Phoenix, AZ. The humidity today is probably 7 percent, so I have no problems getting them to dry.

[runfiverun]

the acetone probably evaporates as your pouring it.

anyway the site talks about the lube grooves having a yellow tint to them, yours appear to have that tint.

[Ausglock]

They look 100% fine. No issues with what you have there.
Excellent job.

You can add 10mls of de-natured alcohol to the 100mls of acetone to slow down the flash off while swirling.
I do this here in Summer when we have 35 to 45 deg C days.

[slide]

Hey Ausglock,Would you consider posting a video on your swirling technique? I know it is a simple thing but I have seen a lot of photos posted with rough coating,etc. I know it would put you to some trouble but it might help some of the new guys

[Grmps]

Here's one that gremlin put up. He's using liquid base and catalyst. If you use powder ignore that part and just observe the simplicity of the coating technique . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svu6oHcd7d0

[slide]

I have watched that one several times. Excellent video. Just wanted to see how the master did it.

[Ausglock]

OK. I'll do 2.
1 with hand swirling and one with the machine swirling.

Have you seen the youtube vid of my coating machine??

Watch this space......lol

[slide]

Looking forward to it!