tpentecost83 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 I have a fluid bed that a friend gave me and I'm struggling to figure it out. All of my powder paints with glitter in them work great. All of my solid colors like GP or black do not. They bubble and flare out of control. I have a valve to adjust air flow but it does not seem to help. What's the trick? I've tried paper and coffee filters thinking that may help but it had very little change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishhook Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 I have tried all types of filters , and have had my best success with 20 weight copy paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 X2 you need to try different types of filter media not all powder paint is created equal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimpNoodle Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Try wrapping some teflon tape around the base of the cup to seal it a bit better when placed in the bed. Then look at your air source. Not all pumps are created equal. I finally found a air pump that will power 4 3" beds at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 X2 you need to try different types of filter media not all powder paint is created equal. Or a vibrator. Zip tie this little puppy to your fluid bed, three or four sheets of newsprint for filter media, and forget about it. Problems solved. http://www.amazon.com/Malida-Triangle-Stirrer-Electric-Automatic/dp/B014510YW8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1451743542&sr=8-7&keywords=automatic+pan+stirrer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpentecost83 Posted January 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Thanks everyone. Do y'all find that more airflow is needed or less? The solid colors bubble and flair so bad and I'm trying to figure if I need more or less air. Just using a cheap aquarium pump right now with an adjustable flow valve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 I just made a bed for a friend. I used brown grocery bags and coffee filters. She said she couldn't control the volcanoes. I got it from her and tried it at home. I can control the volcanoes but the valve can only be opened about 1/2". Any more than that and you have a mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 You can also try "kickstarting" the powder by turning the unit on and a quick stir with a fork to fluff the powder, sometimes this is all thats needed to get it started. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 For the heavier powders try adding some clear to them just to level them out. I have problems with black, brown and white in my fluid beds and I have pretty good mesh material I got from a friend. Add a little at a time because if you add to much you'll get a transparent color on your jigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 I'm amazed your glitter colors come out well, every time I try those in the fluid bed I get a big area of glitter and the rest of the head will be bare. I tried different things and finally email component systems and they told me the paint and the glitter will separate in a fluid bed because it is a different density . That said, I do the same as Fatman, get some clear powder and add 1oz of clear for every 4oz of color, that won't affect the color and paint will fluidize easier. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
