Thread: Powder coat waste hazardous?

Most of our products are finished by outside vendors. I want to be able to finish small quantities of the parts myself for times when the outside shops are busy or for prototypes. So, for powder coating, is the powder waste considered hazardous? I'm sure some of the cleaning waste for the prep is considered hazardous but what about just the powder?

It's going to depend on the powder you choose, but most of them are polyester and pigment. Since kids aren't dying from chewing on polyester fleece onesies, the bulk of the resin isn't a significant health hazard. However, pigments used in industrial powder coat generally don't have to pass CPSIA, so you'd need to know 1) what specific pigments are in the specific coating you're dealing with, and 2) whether the pigments can leach out of the ground powder coat.

I suggest reading the MSDS for the specific powder coat products (and colors) you intend to work with.

Having said all that, lots of people grind powder coat off as welding prep, and it's not known as a health threat. (NOTE: "not known as a health threat" IS NOT THE SAME AS "known to not be a health threat".) Also, lots of hobbyists do small-lot powder coatings.

If you are spraying anything, you should keep it out of your lungs.

Ironic that powder coating was touted as an environmentally responsible replacement for painting.

Sweep up all excess dust, put it into a mold and fire it, then sell as Fordite

or use the floor sweeping and call it urban camouflage color.

Check with the local authorities, environmental regulations vary greatly by locale.

Originally Posted by dalmatiangirl61

Sweep up all excess dust, put it into a mold and fire it, then sell as Fordite

Didn't know what Fordite was. After looking it up and the prices that they are asking for jewelry from it, might be more profitable to just make the Fordite and forget manufacturing the product.