Most people ARE NOT baking PC long enough

[GregLaROCHE]

[QUOTE=prs;4975624]Other than loss of time and electricity, is there any harm in using extended bake times? Say, instead of 20 minutes after flow, can I safely bake for 35 minute bake time without harming the paint quality?

I put my boolits in a cold oven and turn it on for forty minutes at 400F (the highest my oven goes). It’s always worked for me. I don’t think longer wood hurt. If I preheat, maybe I could save time and electricity, but what I do works for me, so why change it?

[Dragonheart]

What comes first? The chicken? The egg? The rooster? That is; in several responses above the bake time is referred to as the "raw time" (Begins when oven door is closed, preheated or not.) Or the set time begins with paint gloss or liquification. Or the time begins when surface of substrate metal is up to target. Or time begins when metal is heated through to target temp. I hope for that last one, but should be at least getting the next to last stage. Pre-heated oven, 400F mean target temp, 15 minutes to heat the bullets to guestimate of target and then 20 to bake the finish. 35 minute total after setting bullets into pre-heated convection toaster/bake oven. I do not know how to measure the deep internal temp of a sample bullet -- any one with an experimental idea? Or, if the sample coated bullet passes the hammer mash test all is good?

prs

Since this original post has gotten so large I made a new post, "Monitor Your Cooking Time" I think will answer your questions. This is the method I use when I cook 4K bullets at a time, because it is the only way to be sure.

[reddog81]

Same here. Pre-heat to 400 and set phone timer for 15 minutes. So probably go a minute or two longer as a get over to remove them after phone time goes off.

Sledge hammer them flat horizontal or vertical and they don't peel. Works for me. I will say I tend to mild to mid power loads. Those going for the top power loads may need to be more rigorous to get comparable success with PC as a lube.

I just set the timer for 20 minutes and walk away, no preheating. The smell of baking PC is way too noxious and probably hazard to you health to sit there and monitor to check and see when it starts melting. It’s worked for 5+ years and close to 20,000 bullets. If someone thinks I’m not baking for long enough that’s their prerogative.

[Conditor22]

Correct cook time doesn't help IF your oven isn't set to/reaching the correct temperature Place oven thermometers in the middle of the shelf you bake on then adjust the oven setting until it reaches 400°

[OS OK]

If your using a thermometer...use one that you can trust...

[rfd]

I've only powder coated (Eastwood Ford Light Blue and Gloss Clear) about a 400 1:20 348 and 418 grain bullets for .45-70 (smokeless AA5744 mild trap door type loads), where my PC process is to shake the pills in a small amount of powder, wearing nitrile gloves to pick 'em up and bounce the bases to even out the powder coating and reduce the amount on the bases, place on a teflon sheet, pre-heat the toaster oven to a verified slightly over 400F, bake for slightly over 20 minutes, immediately cold water quench to up the BHN, size to .459" and load. So far I haven't seen any leading or PC residue, and accuracy isn't bad at all out to a 300yd gong. YMMV.

[Vettepilot]

How fast are you pushing them?

Vettepilot

[rfd]

How fast are you pushing them?

Vettepilot

I haven't put the Magnetospeed on the bbl yet, but I'm thinking 1250-1300 tops.

[cwlongshot]

Interesting result yesterday...

I was placing a Amazon order and a powder coat sample popped up. It was a appealing color but was a pearl. (Pearls have always been a problem for me) It was a brand I had not herd of, so I ordered it. I did a quick Video.

https://youtu.be/ZgyfKJbW7AM

I always quench my bullets out of the oven to attempt to retain alloys hardness. When I did, 75% of the nice orange color CAME OFF!!! I double checked my temps and I knew it baked about 27/30. Bullets where 155g .400 hollow points. Name and brand of powder can be seen in video.

CW