Anybody ever tried DIY powder coating?

[Agileguy]

So I got a 1970's Thomas Organ Crybaby in a trade a few days ago, and it's just flat out a killer sounding wah. I'm going to mod it for true bypass (it sucks quite a bit of treble with just it in the chain) and an LED, and I might add a pot to control the bass response, but I'm not sure about that. Suffice to say it's a keeper.

But the shell isn't in the greatest condition, so I want to refinish it. I've never had good luck with spray cans being durable in the long run, so I was thinking about getting it powder coated, but that's expensive. So I was wondering if anybody's done it themselves? If so, how difficult is it? Are there any special tools I'd need? I want to make it a nice deep metallic purple.

[karpathion]

There is some stuff in a spray can at Lowes that works great. It looks and feels just like a powder coat, but it's not. I know it's not much help as I can't remember the name of it, but I sprayed a concrete dog statue with it about 2 years ago and it still looks brand new. It's been outside in the weather for the whole 2 years.

[Agileguy]

If you can remember the brand, that'd be awesome. If they have a metallic purple that'd be even better.

[karpathion]

I think it only came in black and grey. I'm trying to find it now.

[karpathion]

I can't find it online. I'll stop by Lowes tomorrow and see if I can find it.

[youngthrasher9]

You might try bedliner, but the again I'm pretty sure the rattle can stuff only comes in black.

[Agileguy]

Yeah it seems like diy powder coating is pretty much impossible. So I'm either going to get it done professionally or do a swirl paint job.

Anybody ever done swirl painting? It seems like it could be a lot of fun and give me an awesome looking pedal.

[kinnikuman]

I was going to get a heap of parts done. the price was only 50 for all the hardware. Not bad considering the job they would do.

[misterwhizzy]

My brother does it all the time. I'll text him and ask how tough it is.

[Agileguy]

It took like four hours, but I finally got it sanded all the way to 600 grit. It's pretty damn smooth. I would have kept it in pieces but I'm going to visit a pedal builder friend of mine who I'm hoping can help me mod it a bit. And even if that doesn't happen, I kind of want to show it off, it just sounds incredible.

I've got Saturday set aside to do all of my spraying. I've got a toaster oven, Testors lacquer color/clear coat, and some other stuff coming in over this week. I just need some plastic sheets to make my makeshift paint booth. I should probably get a mask too... Anyway, this should be fun.