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Thread: Smokes Clear Powder Observation

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Smokes Clear Powder Observation

    I read somewhere about Smokes Clear mixed with another color and how the colors don't mix. Also mentioned was how well the clear coats, or maybe how the 2 colors mixed coat.

    Since I have some clear and quite a few other colors (all Smokes PC powder), I gave it a try. Black and clear appear grey, red and clear appear pink (etc) until cured. When cured, the color stands out as a speckled finish.

    The important part was I got a complete coating that looks great. Strangely, the grease grooves appear clear while the sides and nose have the color.

    I haven't used the clear by itself, and may not as I really like the look of the mixes. The clear really sticks to a bullet.

    Neat stuff, PC is.....

  2. #2
    Boolit Bub
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    Any chance you could post some pics of these results?
    Thanks!

  3. #3
    Boolit Master gpidaho's Avatar
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    I've been mixing just a bit of color with clear for quite some time now and really like the look. A touch of dark blue makes a very pretty steel blue look and a little dark green in the mix makes a nice aqua color. All part of the fun of our hobby. Gp

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I'll try and post some photos tomorrow before work.

    I'm mixing the clear 50/50. It really coats better, to my eye, than just using the colored PC.

    The only problem I see is the clear seems to "take over". The BB's tend to have mostly clear on them. In other words, the bullets are more clear than colored. Looks good to me.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    Pics

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Here is one photo. Red and blue are .452" and black is .430". All are Accurate Molds molds. I only have Accurate Molds for handgun bullets and they are all either LFN or WFN styles.

    The lighting wasn't the best. They are really smooth but don't appear to be in the pic.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy
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    im still waiting for bass boat sparkle . . those look great

  7. #7
    Boolit Bub
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    Those do look great. Thanks for the pics!

    Just sent another order to Smoke with some clear.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    Indeed. Smokes Clear will be one of my "colors" I'll use from now on. I'll admit I like some color on my bullets, but the clear really sticks when doing the shake-n-bake method.

    I know I'm not the first to do this, but it really works well for me. As I stated in the first post, I use only Smokes powders so I have no idea how any other powders work mixing the colors.

  9. #9
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    Walter Laich's Avatar
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    There was a time when I was going to use bullet color to ID the components.

    Now that I enjoy seeing the outcomes of mixing colors I have given up the IDing and have fun with the resulting colors
    NRA Life
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  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
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    Me too. I'm new to casting and powder coating. Only used Smoke's powders.

    Many thanks to those who paved the way for us newbies to make informed decisions, buying products that not only work well but support our own community.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walter Laich View Post
    There was a time when I was going to use bullet color to ID the components.

    Now that I enjoy seeing the outcomes of mixing colors I have given up the IDing and have fun with the resulting colors
    That was my original intention, color coding bullets. Then I noticed my 44 caliber bullets needed another color, the 45's probably would shoot better green than they did blue, then I noticed how well the clear adhered to the shake-n-bake process.

    I promise I'll stop at 5 colors (and the clear of course).

  12. #12
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    I can see clearly now !!!!

    http://www.bing.com/search?q=johnny+...FORM=QBLH&sp=1

    Guys Thanks for all the good words .. and yes Clear is without a doubt the best powder I have for easy coverage and the most bullets per lb
    [SIZE=4][B]Selling Hi Quality Powdercoating Powder

    I carry a Nuke50 because cleaning up the mess is Silly !!

    http://www.bing.com/search?q=nuke50&...7ADE&FORM=QBLH

    I am not crazy my mom had me tested

    Theres a fine line between genius and crazy .. I'm that line
    and depending on the day I might just step over that line !!!

  13. #13
    Boolit Bub

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    Just received smokes clear in the mail today (Super fast shipping BTW). Ran a small batch using just the clear and looks great. So clear I really have to look them over to make sure they are all covered. I might need to mix some color in just to help me see the coverage on the boolits.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by JAbee View Post
    Just received smokes clear in the mail today (Super fast shipping BTW). Ran a small batch using just the clear and looks great. So clear I really have to look them over to make sure they are all covered. I might need to mix some color in just to help me see the coverage on the boolits.
    Just mix clear with another color because you can. It looks really good and you get great coverage.

    However, if you like a solid color, the clear won't allow it. The clear tends to stick better to the BB's and you'll have to PC a lot of bullets until you use up the clear you added. I may not be explaining that very well, but you'll understand after mixing clear and another color. I will probably mix clear with every color I have from now on as I really like the look and ease of use.

  15. #15
    Boolit Bub

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    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	190769 clear and light blue
    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	190771 clear only

  16. #16
    Boolit Mold
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    they look nice!, thanks for the info.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check