Problems With Fluid Bed

[Ccfish]

Made a fluid bed out of 3" pvc. Problem im having is the powder keeps making channels and blowing out. Cant seem to get it to just rise correctly. Using a vaccum bag for a filter and best results are when i stir the powder before dipping. Am i using too much or too little powder? Or do i need a bigger pump. Using an aquarium pump from pet co. And i do have valves . Have tried differnt filters. Also using pro-tec paint, single color. Any advice on what to try next?

[smalljaw]

What color are you using and what colors have you tried? There are colors that just aren't going to fluidize without swirling the cup or stirring the powder inside before dipping. What you are seeing is what we call "volcanos" , it happens to me with green pumpkin and a couple other colors and I believe it caused by the powder being to dense, as for the fix well there really isn't anything you can do except for swirling the cup, which I do, or stirring the powder, but I have heard of guys adding vibrators to the fluid bed for powders that don't fully fluidize with air alone.

[smallmouthaholic]

I'd love to see a turning,mixing blade 2-3" up from  the bottom of the fluid bed.You can use some clear or Fluff from CSI that will help but not completely eliminate the problem. Hand stirring every 3-5 dips will help too. I'm wondering if drying the powder out on very low heat in a toaster over would remove the moisture in the powder paint that is causing this.

[bass100]

There are some guys that have made their own cups with good results but I have not.  Everything I tried had the same results that you are having.  Once I bought the right cups my problems were solved.  The ones here only cost $7.  I have been using them for several years now. 

http://tjstackle.com/

[Kasilofchrisn]

I have the same issue with certain colors. Even using the cups from TJ's doesnt help those colors.

I am almost done with my vibrating fluid bed stand and will post my results on the forum.

My original idea with some cheap EBAY vibratory motors didn't work as it did not have enough vibration.

[Jeff Hahn]

I have the same issue with certain colors. Even using the cups from TJ's doesnt help those colors.

I am almost done with my vibrating fluid bed stand and will post my results on the forum.

My original idea with some cheap EBAY vibratory motors didn't work as it did not have enough vibration.

Sound like you can entertain the wife and paint jigs at the same time!

[RayburnGuy]

I know next to nothing about powder paints, but if the powders are soaking up moisture would using some of the desiccant packets in your storage containers help alleviate that problem?

 

Ben

[Ccfish]

Thanks for the replies. The only colors i use are white, black, and watermelon. I have the air pump mounted to the base for some vibration, but thats probaly not enough though.

[LedHed]

Check your fittings to make sure you have a good seal.

 

PM me your snail mail and I can send you some micro mesh screen that should help with your problematic paint.

 

Try adding some CC pearl white and/or clear to your white

[smallmouthaholic]

Check your fittings to make sure you have a good seal.

 

PM me your snail mail and I can send you some micro mesh screen that should help with your problematic paint.

 

Try adding some CC pearl white and/or clear to your white

That sounds like an excellent idea worth trying-thankyou

[Fatman]

The filter material I got from Ledhed works very well.  With white and black I've always had to add clear powder paint to it, just don't add too much you don't want to turn it to a candy/transparent color just enough to make it flow well.  

[Ccfish]

So how much clear powder paint should i add per 2oz jar. I know ill have to play around with it, but whats a good starting point?

[smalljaw]

So how much clear powder paint should i add per 2oz jar. I know ill have to play around with it, but whats a good starting point?

 

for a 2oz jar it is tough to calculate but for my fluid bed I put in 6oz of powder, for colors that aren't fully fluidizing I'll put in 5oz of paint and 1oz of clear so you get a 5 to 1 color to clear ratio and that seems to work. I have also added it 4 to 1 without any problems but you want to try to add just enough to make the powder flow and the 5 to 1 seems to accomplish that but I was using a Columbia coatings super gloss clear so you have to experiment with the clear that you get but 5 to 1 isn't going to hurt with any clear as it is actually low.

[LimpNoodle]

I built a vibration table.  Just used a cheap hand held sander for the vibration.  Only drawback is it's a bit on the loud side.  But man it sure does help with those heavy paints.

[aaarneson]

I am looking for a good micro mesh to try....any ideas?

 

Right now I am using paper bag and it works great for some colors and not at all for others.  Green Pumpkin and Black mainly need help.

[Kasilofchrisn]

I am using the outer material from Vacuum cleaner bags.

You might also try Tyvek. Either the housewrap or free from post office envelopes. Just make sure to put it label side up.

Different weights of printer paper can also be used.

Or you can buy fluidizing plate or cups that already have the plate in it from places like TJ's tackle.

[aaarneson]

I am using the outer material from Vacuum cleaner bags.

You might also try Tyvek. Either the housewrap or free from post office envelopes. Just make sure to put it label side up.

Different weights of printer paper can also be used.

Or you can buy fluidizing plate or cups that already have the plate in it from places like TJ's tackle.

 

That is some great info...thanks....I guess it will be just a lot of trial and error.

[Toad Mode]

Sounds like an issue with the filter or the paint. I went to office depot and asked them for various sheets of printing paper with varying thicknesses. Took a little experimenting but it turned out fine. If your getting the same result with various paints, it's most likely your filter.

I'm no expert by any means, but I've experienced this as well. Green pumpkin is also a tough color for me.