Hitek problems

[Teknikal]

So I started using hitek and coated 100 bullets, results were great so I coated 1k. After coating I remembered I didn't smash test them. So low and behold, they didn't pass the smash test. So after many hrs of trial and error, the new bullets passed both test. Loaded 4.2g w231 and they lead like crazy. Barrel bore is .356(1911) .3555 (glock stainless match barrel)sized to .357. So back to the experimental stage. I can't get the bullets to pass the smash test now, I have tried cleaning the bullets with acetone, every temp and bake time from 350-400 and from 7-11 mins coating 1 lb of bullets each time with 1cc of 5:1 ratio 2 coats candy apple red and zombie green. Few dark zombie green but other than that, The bullets look great. I've started powder coating again until I get this right. Sorry for the long post but I'm really frustrated .

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[Sgtonory]

How long and how are you drying you bullets?

[Teknikal]

I've dried them for 15mins with a fan and 24hrs in a hot shop. They are dry to the touch, not sticky. I'm in Alabama where Temps are in the 80s in the evening and 90s during the day.

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[runfiverun]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VevKJgHseWc
there are 2 parts to this and are pretty much the directions to how it's done you might be missing a step somewhere.

[Teknikal]

I'm using the powder version but I'm doing everything he is doing. Only slight difference is I don't let my bullets sit in the bucket with coating. I squirt the coating then start shaking until they start sticking. He only lets his sit for a few mins to dry. I'm going to try more coating and another batch of 3 coats.

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[475AR]

I had the same problem and I found that if I thinned out my mix and do 3-4 coats they turn out great. I am using the black powder and mix in small batches and do 500 or so bullets at a time. My mix is 1.5g powder to 90ml of acetone. I will shake 50-100 bullets at a time depending on diameter and use maybe a teaspoon of mix. Shake until bullets are dry then pour bullets on a grate to dry 30 min or so. At first I thought I was using too little but after the first bake they come out looking dirty, and after second coat they start looking good and by the 3rd coat they are black. This is the time I hand inspect them to make sure the bottoms are coated well if not they get another coat. As for bake times I get my oven to 390-400 degrees and bake for 15 minutes. This is what works for me currently.

[fredj338]

Add a bit more acetone than recommended, bake at least 400deg. The 350deg thing may be the issue. Use an oven therm. I use the liquid & powder versions, both do fine, pass the smash test & no leading. I shake in small 50-60 batches until I get that dull sound, dump into a tray to dry. 10-15m under a fan on normal temp days seems to work fine. Two coats, sometimes three if I have bare spots.

[farmerjim]

Make sure the first coat is very thin. Dilute the mix with more acetone as suggested above. Try several dilutions and test each with the smash test. I found I had to go almost half as thick as in many of the youtube videos. (dilute with more acetone and use the same amount of diluted mixture to make a thinner first coat) . A thick first coat will not pass the smash test for me.

[Sgtonory]

And where is the leading in the barrel? Just at the end? All the way down etc? I setup a PID controler for my toaster oven and it helps.

[Teknikal]

Leading the last 2 inches of both barrels, I'll try thinner coats but one would think the recommended mix should work. I love the simplicity of hitek but if i cant get it to work, then it doesn't matter how simple the process is.

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[Ausglock]

You are using too much for the first coat. This is the primary reason for smash fail. The second reason is failure to air dry prior to first bake.
Dry to the touch is not "dry".

Use a hair dryer to warm the tray of bullets just above ambient temp prior to baking.
Hitek does work. It has worked for over 20 years.

[Teknikal]

You are using too much for the first coat. This is the primary reason for smash fail. The second reason is failure to air dry prior to first bake.
Dry to the touch is not "dry".

Use a hair dryer to warm the tray of bullets just above ambient temp prior to baking.
Hitek does work. It has worked for over 20 years.

How do I know if they are dry? By using the hair dryer, is that finishing the drying process? I let then air dry with a fan for at least 15 mins.... I've let them dry for 24hrs before. So, use the same ratio but less the first coat and dry them with a hair dryer?

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[Ausglock]

See my PM.

[Gremlin460]

See my PM.

Ha! Like Malcom would know!!!

Fredj338, try and stop tumbling JUST before the sound changes, your coating will be slightly smoother.
The change in tone is also the change between shiny and a Matt finish...

[Ausglock]

Ha! Like Malcom would know!!!

you Qld Moron

[psychbiker]

I can't vouch for leading as I haven't shot any yet. I did coat, size and bake about 2000 total over a couple days following the instructions from Hi Perfoance and googling.

I mixed 20g of powder and 100ml of acetone into an cleaned out nail polish remover bottle. I shook the bottle and let it set hours. I weighed 5lbs of bullets in a tub and used a syringe to add 5ml of my (1ml per 1lb of lead). Shook in a closed Tupperware for 20-30 seconds. Laid out on a screen with a fan for 10min then let set in garage for a day. Baked for 12min at 400. Let cool for hours then sized. Recoated. Let dry for hours then baked again for 12 min at 400.

Shiny and passed wipe and smash test.

The girlfriend takes a lot of my time so I do this in stages. Coat a bunch one night and then bake the next.

[Teknikal]

I can't vouch for leading as I haven't shot any yet. I did coat, size and bake about 2000 total over a couple days following the instructions from Hi Perfoance and googling.

I mixed 20g of powder and 100ml of acetone into an cleaned out nail polish remover bottle. I shook the bottle and let it set hours. I weighed 5lbs of bullets in a tub and used a syringe to add 5ml of my (1ml per 1lb of lead). Shook in a closed Tupperware for 20-30 seconds. Laid out on a screen with a fan for 10min then let set in garage for a day. Baked for 12min at 400. Let cool for hours then sized. Recoated. Let dry for hours then baked again for 12 min at 400.

Shiny and passed wipe and smash test.

The girlfriend takes a lot of my time so I do this in stages. Coat a bunch one night and then bake the next.

What color? I had 200 that passed both test but still leaded my barrel. So I have about 100 loaded that need to be pulled.

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[DerekP Houston]

I'll agree with the previous posters of thin that stuff down. All of my initial issues with hitek were from using way too much powder and not mixing the solution properly ahead of time. It works *much* better if you mix up a jar of the stuff and lightly squirt it on while swirling. If you can see it, you probably used too much. I stopped having flaking/roughness issues after this, though I mainly use it for 38 spec and haven't seen any leading even with faulty rounds.

[Sgtonory]

I have had really bad luck with 9mm with cast. I have since switched everything over to 40 sw. I shoot uspsa production and have zero issues with accuracy of leading since the switch. Have 10k of my home cast and hi tek coated down range this year. Stick with it there is a slight learning curve but well worth the effort. I second the advice on a very thin coat for the first coating.

[fredj338]

Leading the last 2 inches of both barrels, I'll try thinner coats but one would think the recommended mix should work. I love the simplicity of hitek but if i cant get it to work, then it doesn't matter how simple the process is.

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If you are baking at the wrong temp, it won't matter, it will come out wrong. You want to be at 400 or a bit more.