A lot of people think it's expensive to coat with BCB Coating because the powder cost more than "powder coating" but this is not true.
First thing to know is that BCB Coating is not applied the same way as powder coating.
BCB COATING NEEDS TO BE FIRST MIXED WITH RECOMMENDED SOLVENT, PRIOR TO USE, AND IS SUITABLE FOR TUMBLE COATING TYPE APPLICATION ONTO YOUR BULLETS.
BCB COATINGS ARE NOT TO BE USED AS POWDER COATING. POWDER COATING IS A GENERAL PURPOSE COATING WHERE BCB COATING HAS BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY BULLET CORP TO COAT BULLETS.
Ok so BCB Coating and powder coating is not applied the same way! So the "I get more powder coating for the same price as BCB Coating does not apply here" and that's what a lot of people think. I will get 5kg of powder coating for the same price as 500g of BCB Coating.
Let's have a closer look at what it cost to apply BCB Coating.
500g of BCB Coating will cost you about R970 at the current price. If you are going to use the standard mix ratio of 20g of BCB Coating and 50ml of acetone and 50ml of Alcohol, this is what you will get. Keep in mind you can use more solvent mixture to dilute the mixture even more and you will get more bullets coated than mentioned below.
If we mix the 500g with the solvent mixture using the 20g/100ml mix ration we will get 2500ml of ready to use BCB Coating. Now 2500ml does not sound like a lot but if you use 1ml to every 400g of bullets that's 1000kg of bullets using 1 coat and 500kg of bullets using 2 coats. So how many bullets are in 1000kg? If we take 9mmp 124gr they weight about 8.2kg per 1000. If we divide the 8.2g per bullet in 1000kg that is more than 120000 bullets using 1 coat and more than 60000 bullets using 2 coats. That's a lot of bullets.
Now let's look at the cost per bullet. The 500g cost R970 and 2.5lt of solvent mixture will cost about R100 so that's R1070 for 2.5lt of BCB Coating. Take the R1070 divided by 120000 bullets, that's not even 1 cent per bullet using 1 or 2 Coats.
So it only cost you 1 cents pet bullet using 2 coats that's really not expensive.
I powder coat for pistol, rifle and shotgun and have excellent results. What does the BC coating do better than powder coat in order for me to consider changing to it?
*edit* on re-reading this I think it could be misinterpreted as trying to be clever. It's a serious question, keen to understand what the product offers over a powder coat application.
I would also like a answer to this question. I think I know two reasons, but will wait for answers before getting clever.
One thing I am wobbly on though - Nearly R2000 a kg ? the markup must be 1000 %, there are very few coatings that fall into that pricing zone and I am not going to fall for the "its expensive to manufacture".
I would like to get these questions answered, I would also like to be wrong about the markup statement (get that being screwed over feeling out of the way)
That said, I must also say thank you for giving us 3rd worlders your wonderful bullets, a dash of pleasure for us all.
Quote from: oafpatroll on Aug 23, 2022, 01:17 PMI powder coat for pistol, rifle and shotgun and have excellent results. What does the BC coating do better than powder coat in order for me to consider changing to it?
*edit* on re-reading this I think it could be misinterpreted as trying to be clever. It's a serious question, keen to understand what the product offers over a powder coat application.
BCB Coating has been designed for bullets so it will give you all the protections and lubrication you need. We have done a blog post on this topic a while ago. Please see link to the blog post.
https://www.bulletcorp.co.za/index.php?route=extension/d_blog_module/post&post_id=3
If there are any other specific questions you have about the process or the coating you are welcome to ask.
Quote from: Treeman on Aug 23, 2022, 05:09 PMI would also like a answer to this question. I think I know two reasons, but will wait for answers before getting clever.
One thing I am wobbly on though - Nearly R2000 a kg ? the markup must be 1000 %, there are very few coatings that fall into that pricing zone and I am not going to fall for the "its expensive to manufacture".
I would like to get these questions answered, I would also like to be wrong about the markup statement (get that being screwed over feeling out of the way)
That said, I must also say thank you for giving us 3rd worlders your wonderful bullets, a dash of pleasure for us all.
Powder coating and BCB Coating cannot be compared as to how much powder I get for the same amount of money. BCB Coating gets dissolved in solvents increasing the amount by at least 5 times.
The actual cost per bullet to coat using BCB coating is like 1c so with 1kg of BCB Coating you can coat 100000 to 120000 thousand 9mm 124grs. In my calculations that's a lot cheaper than powder coating. How many bullets can you coat using 1kg of powder coating?
It's always a pleasure making a quality product for everyone to enjoy!
Quote from: Bullet Corp on Aug 24, 2022, 12:41 PMQuote from: oafpatroll on Aug 23, 2022, 01:17 PMI powder coat for pistol, rifle and shotgun and have excellent results. What does the BC coating do better than powder coat in order for me to consider changing to it?
*edit* on re-reading this I think it could be misinterpreted as trying to be clever. It's a serious question, keen to understand what the product offers over a powder coat application.
BCB Coating has been designed for bullets so it will give you all the protections and lubrication you need. We have done a blog post on this topic a while ago. Please see link to the blog post.
https://www.bulletcorp.co.za/index.php?route=extension/d_blog_module/post&post_id=3
If there are any other specific questions you have about the process or the coating you are welcome to ask.
Thanks. I had a read over the material and other than the point about the BC coating being harder than powder coat, which I can't dispute without testing it, I disagree with much of what's in the table wrt to the shortcomings of powder coating based on my personal experience of it. If some BC coating comes up second hand for a real bargain price I'll give it a try though.
Quote from: Bullet Corp on Aug 24, 2022, 12:46 PMQuote from: Treeman on Aug 23, 2022, 05:09 PMIn my calculations that's a lot cheaper than powder coating. How many bullets can you coat using 1kg of powder coating?
It's always a pleasure making a quality product for everyone to enjoy!
*************************
Will this product ever be available for persons who will perhaps coat 2000 bullets in their life as a one of many hobbies $$ amounts? Say R200 worth of coating ? I feel more people would buy it as a " I would like to try that" venture.
I do not question your business reasons, but it would be nice to be able to try something and not have it cost a grand.
This appears to be a exciting product indeed.
Are there any Bullet Corp coating video's available?
Would be nice to see the process and result.
Quote from: Treeman on Aug 24, 2022, 04:06 PMQuote from: Bullet Corp on Aug 24, 2022, 12:46 PMQuote from: Treeman on Aug 23, 2022, 05:09 PMIn my calculations that's a lot cheaper than powder coating. How many bullets can you coat using 1kg of powder coating?
It's always a pleasure making a quality product for everyone to enjoy!
*************************
Yes we sell in 100g, 500g and 1kg
https://www.bulletcorp.co.za/BCB-Coating
Will this product ever be available for persons who will perhaps coat 2000 bullets in their life as a one of many hobbies $$ amounts? Say R200 worth of coating ? I feel more people would buy it as a " I would like to try that" venture.
I do not question your business reasons, but it would be nice to be able to try something and not have it cost a grand.
Quote from: JamesNotBond on Aug 24, 2022, 04:16 PMAre there any Bullet Corp coating video's available?
Would be nice to see the process and result.
Hi Yes there is a few videos and the coating instruction. We also offer full support on the product.
https://www.bulletcorp.co.za/Coating-Instructions-BCB-Coating
oh wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that video really changed a lot of perspective.
I know its only a video, but guessing that its likely 90 % as easy as shown ???? Wow !! ( still 100% easier than powder coating)
;D so now I need to shoot some more bullets to need some more bullets.
Thank you again for the details.
Quote from: Treeman on Aug 24, 2022, 11:45 PMoh wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that video really changed a lot of perspective.
I know its only a video, but guessing that its likely 90 % as easy as shown ???? Wow !! ( still 100% easier than powder coating)
;D so now I need to shoot some more bullets to need some more bullets.
Thank you again for the details.
Its really an easy process once you understand it and know how to do it. Its fast and clean and the results speak for it self. ;D
I am just so glad that it's not just sold in 500 gr packs at a grand a go. Guess its play time for me then.
Quote from: Treeman on Aug 25, 2022, 09:14 AMI am just so glad that it's not just sold in 500 gr packs at a grand a go. Guess its play time for me then.
Yes with the 100 gram if you work nicely with it you can do 10 to 12 thousand 9mm 124grs.
Quote from: Treeman on Aug 24, 2022, 11:45 PMI know its only a video, but guessing that its likely 90 % as easy as shown ???? Wow !! ( still 100% easier than powder coating)
For my interest, what do you find hard about powder coating?
For me it's a two and a half step (i.e. shake, bake and dump in water) process that is 2 out of 5 on the banana scale when doing pistol bullets and slugs. Rifle bullets add hand stacking as a step and maybe another half banana if your fingers are a bit lomp.
Quote from: oafpatroll on Aug 25, 2022, 09:48 AMQuote from: Treeman on Aug 24, 2022, 11:45 PMI know its only a video, but guessing that its likely 90 % as easy as shown ???? Wow !! ( still 100% easier than powder coating)
For my interest, what do you find hard about powder coating?
For me it's a two and a half step (i.e. shake, bake and dump in water) process that is 2 out of 5 on the banana scale when doing pistol bullets and slugs. Rifle bullets add hand stacking as a step and maybe another half banana if your fingers are a bit lomp.
***********************
Usable result, yes no problem, pretty for eye much less easy. I find I have uneven coating, molding where bullets touched surfaces. My bullets all on closer inspection have thicker and thinner coatings and pooling at lower edges. This is mostly ironed out when sized, but still not ideal.
I am getting the impression this process allows one to throw the bullets on a sheet and bake and (hopefully) get bought like results.
Would still like to see how they do it by the 1000 x at the factory, getting that glass like perfect finish.
Quote from: oafpatroll on Aug 25, 2022, 09:48 AMQuote from: Treeman on Aug 24, 2022, 11:45 PMI know its only a video, but guessing that its likely 90 % as easy as shown ???? Wow !! ( still 100% easier than powder coating)
For my interest, what do you find hard about powder coating?
For me it's a two and a half step (i.e. shake, bake and dump in water) process that is 2 out of 5 on the banana scale when doing pistol bullets and slugs. Rifle bullets add hand stacking as a step and maybe another half banana if your fingers are a bit lomp.
Try doing 20000 thousand bullets a day using powder coating and standing all of them up straight etc. Using our coating BCB Coating its supper fast and easy and clean. Imagine working with powder all the time doing 20k bullets a day. Using the wet method is a lot faster and cleaner and cheaper. No need to stand bullets up straight they don't bake and get stuck onto everything it just works. Our coating is being used by a bunch of Bullet Casters all over the world at the moment and increasing. BCB Coating has been designed for Bullets and once you understand the process and get it right you will never use powder coating again!
Just look at the bullets. They are perfectly coated everywhere no spots and smooth even and perfect. Then you still get all the performance and protection from the BCB Coating9mm 124gr RN Blue.png9mm 124gr RN Gunmetal.png
We do sell the tumblers if you are serious about the process. The tumblers can also be used to wash your brass. But you can do the whole process without the tumblers. Here is a picture of some bullets getting ready for its second coat.
https://www.bulletcorp.co.za/Equipment/Tumblers/BCBC-TumblerTumblers.png
Just done the second and last coat. Will dry them for 5min them they will go into the oven as it. When the 5min drying is done you just shake them loose on the tray and bake.125gr MP Gunmetal.png160gr MP Black.png
Second coat is done. Now they will cool down for 5min and will go back into the tumbler to spin for 2 mins. This will make them more shiny and smooth. Then they will go to the sizing machine and they are done. The 2 coat process take about 1 hour to do.160gr MP Black second coat.png
125gr MP Gunmetal second coat.png
9mm 125gr Match Pro Gunmetal all done just came out of the sizing machine.125gr MP Gunmetal sized.png
Quote from: Bullet Corp on Aug 26, 2022, 07:24 AMQuote from: oafpatroll on Aug 25, 2022, 09:48 AMQuote from: Treeman on Aug 24, 2022, 11:45 PMI know its only a video, but guessing that its likely 90 % as easy as shown ???? Wow !! ( still 100% easier than powder coating)
For my interest, what do you find hard about powder coating?
For me it's a two and a half step (i.e. shake, bake and dump in water) process that is 2 out of 5 on the banana scale when doing pistol bullets and slugs. Rifle bullets add hand stacking as a step and maybe another half banana if your fingers are a bit lomp.
Try doing 20000 thousand bullets a day using powder coating and standing all of them up straight etc. Using our coating BCB Coating its supper fast and easy and clean. Imagine working with powder all the time doing 20k bullets a day. Using the wet method is a lot faster and cleaner and cheaper. No need to stand bullets up straight they don't bake and get stuck onto everything it just works. Our coating is being used by a bunch of Bullet Casters all over the world at the moment and increasing. BCB Coating has been designed for Bullets and once you understand the process and get it right you will never use powder coating again!
I coat for my own consumption and do pistol bullets in batches of 1250 so i guess my use case and needs are different. I tumble them in a pvc drum till they are covered and then dump them in a chip fryer basket. Bake for 10 minutes and give them a vigorous shake, bake for another 5 minutes and then dump in a bucket of water. Chuck them on a towel and air dry and they are ready for sizing. I can easily do three batches in an hour and half including setup and packing away without rushing. They aren't as aesthetically pleasing as yours but that isn't important to me.
Rifle bullets I take a bit more care with in that I stand them up on their bases in a silicone mini ice block tray. That's the only extra step and I can do 100 in a minute or two. They come out looking as nice as yours. As I said before, I'll certainly try the product out if i get hold of some cheap but for my purposes it seems to be more work than I currently put in to get adequate results.
(https://am3pap005files.storage.live.com/y4miVx8hNuj9Yj6qGAmW5P8uxxJyjRZnjJuMZG5zjwEzGJJrRTMiSV21FG0HsBV_r9RJQQIgLpQBk-m4jlfTH8Gr6O8-wd8Tt6PxmOELTaKkSno5ALaezpchiqyJGIT0DrH11Is7j2bjwazGmSyiq-QkJ2NmjV9mOsjL_7fcX2MlASb0cIdxRZuLs_OcxtYB9ue?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none)
Quote from: Treeman on Aug 25, 2022, 10:03 PMQuote from: oafpatroll on Aug 25, 2022, 09:48 AMQuote from: Treeman on Aug 24, 2022, 11:45 PMI know its only a video, but guessing that its likely 90 % as easy as shown ???? Wow !! ( still 100% easier than powder coating)
For my interest, what do you find hard about powder coating?
For me it's a two and a half step (i.e. shake, bake and dump in water) process that is 2 out of 5 on the banana scale when doing pistol bullets and slugs. Rifle bullets add hand stacking as a step and maybe another half banana if your fingers are a bit lomp.
***********************
Usable result, yes no problem, pretty for eye much less easy. I find I have uneven coating, molding where bullets touched surfaces. My bullets all on closer inspection have thicker and thinner coatings and pooling at lower edges. This is mostly ironed out when sized, but still not ideal.
I am getting the impression this process allows one to throw the bullets on a sheet and bake and (hopefully) get bought like results.
Would still like to see how they do it by the 1000 x at the factory, getting that glass like perfect finish.
From what you describe I'd suspect that you are using too much powder and baking it too cool and/or not for long enough. There are lots of formulations of powder coat and they are engineered to do different things. The stuff I have landed on is intended for exterior automotive components like windscreen wiper arms etc. It bakes relatively hot and flows to detail. When I get it right my bullets 'grow' just over a thousandth of an inch with a complete and very even coat.
BCB Coating 100g on special this week only
https://www.bulletcorp.co.za/BCB-Coating/100g