Date:         Tue, 31 Oct 2000 23:07:06 EST
Reply-To:     TStone8359@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Stone <TStone8359@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Is it about time for Sandblasting?
Comments: To: jromas@columbus.rr.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

<<Tell me more about the powder coating and Eastwood>>

Eastwood (Http://www.eastwoodcompany.com) has a do-it-yourself powder coating
outfit for $150.  It comes with the coating gun, the electrostatic charger,
and a couple of cans of color powder.  You need to clean the piece of metal
completely, removing  all rust, paint, etc. before coating.  Sandblasting is
excellent preparation.  They have a metallic filler you can use on rough
pieces to smooth them out.  You spray the stuff on and put the piece in an
electric oven at 400 degrees.  Don't do it in the kitchen because the curing
paint smells bad.  I have seen pieces done like the generator pulleys from
bug engines, that see a lot of wear.  The coating is very hard and durable,
It resists chipping, and gasoline doesn't hurt it.  The pieces look great a
year later. They have a number of colors(30+).  They also have a semi-gloss
black which I am going to do the bug engine tin with.

(Vanagon content)  Wouldn't the intake runners on your engine look great in a
color which matches your van?

They have a freestanding electric infrared heater ($675!) which can be used
to cure large pieces.  The coating goes on dull.  When it is cured, it
becomes glossy.  Just move the heater around the piece until it is all cured.
 The picture in the catalog shows an American car rear end/axle being done.

Look it over.  Can't go wrong on the price.

Tom
'71, '78 and '85 Westys