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[{Drake}]

I am looking into getting a powder coat on my Armson pump, I would like a much tougher finish on it than anodizing.

I have a few concerns though.

First of all the marker already has been anodized, do they have to strip the anodizing off in order to powder coat it? I am worried that my marker could get damaged in the process.

Then, how thick is powder coating exactly and is it evenly thick around a surface?

And lastly, can you mark off areas you don't want powder coated, like the inside of the trigger frame, ect?

My Armson is the one marker I really love, I want it to last. Eventually I will get a phantom and upgrades for my pgp but I doubt that will happen until I visit America.

[Flatline's Up!]

Originally Posted by {drake}

i Am Looking Into Getting A Powder Coat On My Armson Pump, I Would Like A Much Tougher Finish On It Than Anodizing. anodizing Is Tougher Than Powder Coating.

I Have A Few Concerns Though.

First Of All The Marker Already Has Been Anodized, Do They Have To Strip The Anodizing Off In Order To Powder Coat It? it Should Be Stripped First. I Am Worried That My Marker Could Get Damaged In The Process.

Then, How Thick Is Powder Coating Exactly And Is It Evenly Thick Around A Surface? it Varies By Quality Of Tools Used In Application, Type Of Material Used, Quality, Shape Of Part Etc Etc. Short Answer: It Varies.
And Lastly, Can You Mark Off Areas You Don't Want Powder Coated, Like The Inside Of The Trigger Frame, Ect? yes.

My Armson Is The One Marker I Really Love, I Want It To Last. Eventually I Will Get A Phantom And Upgrades For My Pgp But I Doubt That Will Happen Until I Visit America.

... .

[Mayvik]

FUP is correct, anodizing is a tougher finish than PC. PC is a coating applied on top of the metal, anodizing is a chemical reaction that hardens the top layer of aluminum itself.

You might want to look into Duracoat instead of PC if you're looking for something really robust.

[{Drake}]

That was unexpected, I always thought powder coating was tougher.

Thanks for the help.

[Schmitti]

That and I think the Armson pumps were hard ano'd... so the finish is going to be pretty tough... unless you are curb surfing on your gun.

E

[Railgun]

I don't think the powder is harder but the beauty of powder is that it's thicker. A light and shallow scratch in powder is all but invisible. A similar scratch on anodizing shows as a bright silver line.

[AutoMaggerIX]

Actually, powdercoating is much harder and more durable than most soft anodizing. Hard anodizing is probably better than powdercoating, but colors are limited.

My brother and I own and operate a small powdercoating company, so I have experience with these coatings.

Considering powder is applied as a coating and soft anodizing is applied as a corrosive dye, it's only logical that powder is more resistant to scratching, weathering, chemicals, etc.

I challenge anyone to prove that soft anodizing is more durable than powdercoating.

And yes, parts that you don't want coated can be masked off while curing. The major drawback to powder is it's thickness on interference parts.

[{Drake}]

Just exactly how thick can it get?

[kidneythief]

It can get rather thick.

Powdercoat is generally more durable than anodize due to its thickness. It however it isnt harder than anodize its self.

The marker will most likely have to be stripped before powedercoat so that the paint has something to adhere to. This is something you'll have to discuss with your powder coater though. The stripper wont hurt the gun if done properly. The stripper that I use will remove only the anodized layer if properly watched.

Anodize isnt a "corrosive dye" and could easily fall into the "coating" category. Many folks share a common misconception about what exactly anodize is. Anodize is actually a controlled oxidization(rust) which grows a layer of clear/hard aluminum oxide. Which can be dyed or left "clear". It comes in three varieties, type I, type II and type III. Most Paintball or home anno will be Type II aproximatly .001" thick. However a decent home set-up can get you around the type III catagory at around .003-4".

Anodize can be around 2-5 times harder than the base metal and extremely scratch resistant. It really depends on what you want.

-Jake