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Thread: Clear PC for a first timer?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

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    Clear PC for a first timer?

    For first time powder coating would you recommend a particular color? I am inclined to go with clear, but wonder if clear will give me the visual feedback a newbie needs to tell if I'm screwing up or not.

    I will be ordering my PC from our own Smokes.
    “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan


  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master


    GregLaROCHE's Avatar
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    I think Smokes sells a variety pack of colors to get started with. I’ve never used clear, but you have a point, that it will be more difficult to see less than perfect coating.

  3. #3
    Banned
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    I've used eastwoods clear and it is easy to see if your boolits are coated when applying the powder. After coating and baking they look like they have a lacquer finish.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
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    I'm not into 'designer colors' so I after some experimentation, I switched to Smoke's Clear and have yet to look back. After a little practive, it's very easy to get an even application using shake n' bake and, in my experience, thickness of finished coating (before sizing) rarely varies more than +/- .001.

    Bill
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

    Beagle333's Avatar
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    Clear will be a good choice for anybody. It isn't clear until after it is baked. You can easily see your coverage before baking.
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master Garyshome's Avatar
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    Red!!!!!!

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Until you get this totally figured out, do NOT use metallic or clear. Stick with any of the solid primary colors red, green, blue and variants of those three. Once you get those down, you can stray into the more difficult coating procedures.

    And what is the sensationality and hoop-la about clear coatings?????? I would prefer NOT to see the lead underneath! That is why I use colors.


    bangerjim

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    Hickok's Avatar
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    Smoke's clear is pretty hard to beat for "shake and bake." Other colors may be as good, but none is better or easier to get great results.
    Maker of Silver Boolits for Werewolf hunting

  9. #9
    Boolit Master



    WebMonkey's Avatar
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    +1 for 'goes on white and cures clear' powder from smoke.
    good contrast for a coverage check before curing. cures clear for a low key end result.

    my favorite bar none.

    good luck
    WebMonkey
    Retired 19D
    Psalm 91:9
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  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
    Eddie17's Avatar
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    Smokes clear is as easy as it gets! Shake an bake, boolits come out coated in white dust. After time in oven 100% clear coated.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master


    GregLaROCHE's Avatar
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    For me the biggest benefit with different colors is being able to tell difference grain sizes apart, before and after they are loaded.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master BJK's Avatar
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    Identification is what I intend to use color for also.

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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