help with powder paint

[KandyBass]

I just got my paint out of the truck and it is all hard as a rock. most of it has never been opened and the others only used a little. What caused this. I have about $300 worth of paint I cant use:flame:. Thanks

[Spike-A-Pike]

I know the heat`inside a car or truck can get pretty high; the inside temperatures reached as high as 150 degrees Fahrenheit on a sunny day. How long was the paint in the truck? The warning on powder paint is, "Store in a Cool Place."

[KandyBass]

It has been in my truck for about a week. I just read that warning. Thanks spike.

[Spike-A-Pike]

Sorry Benny,

Maybe someone will have an idea for making it powder again, but I'm afraid it has started to cure with the heat.

[cadman]

Benny,

I may be of help to you and maybe not. #1 I guess you learned your lesson. #2 How hard is hard powder? Can you break off chunks, and does it crumble, or is it molecularly bonded? If you can not break it apart even with a hammer, and it cracks then it's junk. I've never seen that happen only when you bake powder in the oven to cure it. However it does get very hot in the car. Close the windows, cover the cans with a brown tarp, and you can take a sauna in there. #3 if you can break it apart, then it is salvageable. The question is if it's worth your time.You will have to break it apart in small chunks if possible, and then keep smashing it until you get a fine powder. Do this to a small amount. Once you get it to powder, powder paint a few jigs, bake them, and see if you get paint adhesion, and gloss. If you do, then you can do the rest. If not toss it. Finally if you want to send me a small chunk, I can have it tested for you. Again, this may not be worth your time. Those are your choices. You have proven several things here, which I am now going to post to all the powder guys here. So here they are.

#1. Always keep powder paint tightly sealed in a cool dry environment.

#2. Never ever try to dry powder paint that has absorbed moisture, by heating it or placing it in an oven. Doing this will activate the powder and start the adhesion process. You are better off taking a clean cloth placing it over the powder container, and put it in a really dry place. The powder will come back to itself.

#3. Powder paint disposal. Check with your local ordinance, but in most states, you can not dump powder paint in the dry state. You must bake all the powder until it becomes a big lump of solid mass. The reason being is this. Powder paint is very airborne when it gets blown around. If you dump a lot of powder in a dumpster #1 if it's white, nobody will know what it is, and someone might think it's drugs or some other chemical, which if they see you dump it may call the police, or hazmat crew. This may sound extreme, but it has happened. Our company powder paints a lot of items, and we have lot of overspray. This over spray is garbage powder. By law we have to dispose of it in the way I mentioned. #2 Airborne powder is bad for your lungs and others, so be responsible when you dump this.

Hope this helps you on your decision

Edited August 23, 2008 by cadman

[Spike-A-Pike]

Thanks Ted,

I knew if there was five guys with the knowledge on powder paint; you'd be 1 of the 5. I noticed the care taken to ship powder paint in the mail and the whole powder and HAZMAT thing makes sense. Good luck Benny.

[KandyBass]

Thanks for the help. We have metal filters at work and I was able to salvage some of it by raking the blocks over it(sorta like a cheese grater). It is finer now than before. The colors I have tried turned out fine.