Side By Side Comparison of Hi-Tek Old Gold, Hi-Tek Black Cherry and Eastwood Ford Light Blue

Let's give the home Hi-Tek bullet coatings another try with multiple baskets, and overlapping runs using Hi-Tek Old Gold and Hi-Tek Black Cherry colors. Then we'll run some Eastwood Ford Light Blue powder coat to compare...

[@wescargill47]

videos are great ,thanks for ur work . did my first batch of powder coated bullets today .my lovely wife picked me up a toaster oven at resale shop great deal .my first mistake I didn't check the temp calibration to the control ,coating went good until I put them in oven ,set the dial to 400 timer to 2o minutes came back to pull them out ,had a red melted blob of bullets .must be why oven was a good deal .400 must have meant 650 .next batch perfect dial set to 275 means 400. keep up the good work. thanks.

[@SherryPM72]

I love this, I can have ammo that matches My nail polish!

[@sablahedning]

haha nice :)

[@mikerupp7581]

Ok my friend, a few things to consider, Black, red, violet, are tiny particle size, white, yellow oxide, Red oxide are large size, small will have great hide large will not. '''''''''''youreFord blue is a blend of small and large and is formulated to have good hide this is why it works so well. Try a black powder coating or a dark red like IH Red these will have superior hide and will cover at low film build. I am anxious to try a small particle size metal flake, like an Audi Silver the automotive industry has some small particle metal flake that would be spectacular, keep up the good work!!

[@stephenriddick4592]

Hey FC thanks for doing the video excellent results on the high tek Sir

[@jmac8907]

G'day FC45. I've been using Hitek for a while now and love it. The fix for your patchy results is to add more Hitek mix. U will need to experiment as to much will cause even worse results

[@jamespollard3066]

I think I will stick with the powder coat process . Yesterday I did 730 - 30 cal. bullets in about 2 hrs. I tried something new and used my daughters rock tumbler to coat the bullets . 5 to 7 min. in the rock tumbler and I had a perfect coat of harbor freight red . I also cut the cook time from 20 min. to 15 minutes . This seemed to keep the bullets from sticking to each other and to the basket . This will be my process from now on . The bullets came out shiny, fully coated and nearly perfect .

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

James Pollard - I'm down to 2-4 minutes of vibe tumbling as well - the bullets are coated - running them any longer is simply a waste of time. Tossing the bullets into water quench right out of the oven also separates the bullets very well no matter if we go 15 or 20 minutes (will try the 15 though). Best Regards, FC

[@tonynelson7638]

FortuneCookie45LC I put my bullets in the tumbler for 1 min and mine are coated. I don't stand mine up. I just toss them into the tray and so 2 coats and there perfect.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Tony Nelson - Thanks for your threads. I've done two and even three coats with bad PCs like white and the coatings were better covered, but the finish was dull and uneven...concluded that one coat was the best and rely on good powder to cover. Have not considered doing two coats of good powder - might be good to try that...Best Regards to ya, FC

[@tonynelson7638]

FortuneCookie45LC yes I love 2 coats. the first one is fully covered the second coat fills in the thinner spots and give a full even coating. Try laying down none stick paper and just lay them all down like you would HI-TEK and 2 coats will work. Iv tried a plastic container and dump a good mount of PC then shake for a min. and they have a thick coat of PC. it help with a thicker layer when they do stick as when you pull them apart they won't leave a spot of best lead. I was using the tumbler but see better results with a plastic container.

[@jamespollard3066]

Tony Nelson I do the shake and bake method on small batches also . But I live 1 mile from Lake Erie and when the humidity is high , the powder coat will not stick this way . I then use the rock tumbler and for what ever reason the powder coat will stick and coats so well it only needs one coat . I strive to get a good coverage the first time so there is no need for a second coat . There are times when I do 1,000 bullets in an afternoon and I don't want to do them twice or wear my wrists out shaking them by hand . I just lay the bullets in the basket in a single layer with a little wiggle room . Very few will even stick to each other this way . I do my best for 1 coat and done .

[@Eatherbreather]

Another fantastic video FC! I could watch your stuff all day 👍

[@archersfriend]

Once again, you prove to me that the Hi-Tek is tooooooo much time for the results. I'll will stick with Eastwood and Harbor Freight.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

archersfriend -Thanks for your comments - Hi - Tek is also attention intensive - with our PC, we can vibe tumble for 2 - 20 minutes - no problemo. And oven bake for 15 - 20 minutes. With Hi - Tek, you have to hand tumble for 15 - 20 seconds - too long and the bullets stick together. And bake for 10 minutes - longer is not good. But Hi - Tek has good promise for doing big batches of bullets using cement mixers and large ovens. I'm not giving up on it yet, see if I can rig up ways to get good production vs time vs effort for home casters. Best Regards to ya, FC

[@louissippell1130]

I've been using Hi-Tek gold for about 4 years on 9mm, .40, 45 ACP and 300 Blackout. I use 2 coats total and have no leading problems. I can do 2 batches of 8#'s each in about 1 hour. Coating and drying one batch while baking the other. I use a countertop convection oven that I put a PID on to control the temp within 5 Degrees, that will hold 8# at one time (Oster). I also mix up just enough powder and acetone to do one batch at a time. I use 2g powder and 10ml acetone for every 8#.

[@JeffinTD]

I’d have to say thanks for the excellent video, but for me hand tumbling in Eastwood FLB and bake 400 for 20 seems much faster and easier.

[@brucethornton9342]

I know this video is 4-5 years old, but I have been using Hi-Tek from about when you posted this. From the blotchy appearance of your coating (even on the "good" ones) it appears that your coating is drying some before you spread them out to dry. I use the 25% dilution with ethanol like it says in the instructions and swirl my boolits in a container with a lid for 20 seconds then spread to dry. I only use 2 coats and mine look MUCH better that your 4 coated ones. Also, and I don't remember where I got this info, I bake at 400 F and you can't bake too long , the company has baked them all night and it changes nothing except the color darkens a bit. I have found this system to be very time efficient and the results excellent. Far superior to old lubing methods. Comparison with powder coat? Both work well, I just felt that if based on this video someone decided to powder coat over Hi-Tek, that they didn't get a good representation of the Hi-Tek method.

[@vengenaceearly255]

FC - If I am using Hi-Tek I first do an acetone "wash" on the un - coated bullets. This wash preps the bullets by removing any oils or other contaminants that maybe causing uneven coats. I simply wash them in pure acetone by dumping them all in a bucket and swirling them. Then let them air dry for 10 min. You will get a better results and fewer rejects if you do that. Also I use 4 - 5 coats and if I see that their is not very good coverage after three coats I add a little more Hi- tek solution to the final coat. Not much more but a little more ... maybe a half teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon more. : )

[@Pabcio]

You americans are lucky to have powder coat that stick after tumbling. I did acetone method and I got good result, nice covered bullets after one paint but very messy. I used more powder coat to make solution thicker but paint clogged mesh very fast. I tried lately hot bullet stick method and came out even better. Only minus is paint didn't covered gas check gap.

[@Thorsaxe777]

Cookie, try giving them a bath in the acetone before the coating process and let them air dry first. Maybe that will make the coating stick better. Btw, You know, I would look in the classifieds and see if there is an oven that someone is getting rid of and put it in a place where it wouldn't be in line of view of the neighbourhood, I believe that oven capacity is the only thing that holds back production, imagine how many projectiles you could do in one sitting. You would have to power it up using your 220v from your Braker panel switch box or an outlet that maybe already in the garage. I feel that would be the way I would go if it was me. Dave.

[@grounds28]

I really like the way the black cherry looks on those bullets

[@williamarmstrong392]

Very informative, thank you very much !!

[@Sqwan2]

Had some similar issues. I got better results doing the following: cleaning the bullets, put more HI-TEK in the bucket, produce the solution the night before and mix it with isopropanol. For cleaning I put them in hot water with dish soap, rince them with fresh water and then clean again in isopropanol. You can only use isopropanol, but than you can only use it once. Also I put a bit more of the solution in the bucket. That helps to get in everywhere. I have added another spoon until it was to much and than backed out until it was perfect. Also I produce the solution early. This makes the coating more even. For my solution I use 50/50 or 70/30 Aceton and Isopropanol. I think it stays open for a couple more minutes. So you have more time to mix it properly with the bullets. Anyways. In my opinion HI TEK is a pain in the butt. Even getting it to germany isn't fun. So I dropped it completely. Common powders are doing the job just fine.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

The Hi Tech is a really nice system but like you said its incredibley time intensive. I consider it a backup system to the powdercoating. I think it is great for small manufacturers where you are doing a minimum of a thusand rounds at a time or so. Perhaps then, its worth the time spent doing several coats.

[@jimfitzgibbon5492]

FC Great video. What I do before I coat mine is pour my bullet in a small bucked of denatured alcohol to clean the bullets & let them dry. Then I start the process. I don't know if that the problem you are having but mind look great

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Jim Fitzgibbon - Others use acetone, but we're better off if we don't mess around with too many of those noxious chemicals. If we keep oil off our cast bullets, we'll be good for powder coating. Good powder coatin' to ya, Steve

[@JohnnaMartywashere]

hey cookie, check out the video that prairie firearms has out on how they do their coating. they use a mixer that evenly coats their bullets and gives a perfect coat everytime..they only do one coating as well

[@OzarkSpirit]

Marty Martinez I was going to suggest the same thing. I believe they use more than the suggested 6mills as well.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Marty Martinez - There are a number of videos out on Hi - Tek - and with experimentation, we can do bigger loads of bullets than 4 pounds using 6 mls of Hi - Tek. So we can calculate 6 pounds using 9mls or 8 pounds using 12 mls. And with more baskets, stacked up, we can do bigger loads...But we have more color and PC options with PC and also effects...I think there is plenty of room in the coating universe for PC and Hi - Tek. Best Regards to you, FC

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Ozark Spirit - The ratio is straight across...we can do 6 pounds of bullets using 9 mls of Hi - Tek. Or we can do 8 pounds of bullets with 12 mls. And with bigger baskets and bigger ovens, the sky's the limit... Best to ya, FC

[@shanewebber8704]

From the look of the close up video of the finished Hi-Tek coating I would guess there is a pre-application filtration that should have been done. Like with many coatings there is a sediment component to the solution and the sediment should be removed before the remaining liquid is applied to the casting. I'd even go so far as to say you would significantly reduce the tolerances to make the casting even more accurate to specifications.

[@ewetho]

Instead of a 5 liter buck or larger in your case I used a 2.5l bucket for 5 lbs and got great coverage.

[@TheReloaderDude]

Another awesome video. Thanks my friend.

[@keith9875]

I’m thinking that if you increased the amount of coating before the “swirl” would make a difference? Maybe the coating is drying before it can reach into the grooves?

[@timjoeruss]

I use plastic ketchup bottles form the dollar store for mixing and pouring the mix. Folgers plastic coffee containers for mixing the bullets. I go more by the sound then time for pouring out the bullets on the screen.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

tim russell - Thanks for posting this - the coffee can can also give a better sound change - sounds like I need to try that... Best to ya, FC

[@tonynelson7638]

I used to Hi-Tek and not is a pain to work with. I'm now PC coating and very easy

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Tony Nelson - I might be concluding the same, but more work with the Hi - Tek first - so far, the PC is also much more versatile for me - and more fun as well. But that can all change when I shoot my latest batches of Hi - Tek bullets. Best to ya, FC

[@tonynelson7638]

FortuneCookie45LC Great videos Fortune Cookie. Iv been missing with Hi-Tek for over a year and the coating is a real pain the miss with. The wipe test was always my downfall. I have 3 large containers and 2 small containers I would like to try and sell. The PC I treat just like Hi-Tek. I put the bullets in the tumbler for 1 min. to just get the powder to stick then I putt them in a colander. To get the extra powder of the bullets then I but them on my wire tray lined with non stick paper that I dumped all touching each other still making suck there not laying on top of each other but laying next to each other is fin. then I put in the over for 20 min at 400 F. Then I will repeat the process. PC is very solid and covers in 1 coat unlike the Hi-Tek. Also you can treat PC like a jacket bullet as Hi-Tek you need to treat as a Lead bullet and Hi-Tek 2 coats doent cover all the bullets still. I would recommend PC any day of the week

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Tony Nelson - Thanks for your detailed assessment of Hi - Tek - doing 4 coats is not what we want. When I do my next range test, the results of the shooting will provide more data on the Hi-Tek. Have a great day, FC

[@joelseymour6372]

Good video and testing Steve. Thank you for showing your results. I wonder if one were to apply two coats of Hi-Tek before baking, would the cured results be even or would second coating flake the first coat?

[@thebaddest2562]

ive found that if u transfer the bullets to a basket designated for just sepparating powder then to a basket designated for the oven alot of the bullet imperfections are nonexistant. i believe the excess powder clumps between tge basket and bullets and that makes the defacts 10xs worse. in fact if you dont let the bullets touch each other thaere are almost zero defects. the basket doesnt leave any marks really if you take it out as soon as the oven dings and dump them into a quench. as an aside my baking basket has old powdercoat coating on it im not sure how it would work with a clean basket.

[@lens7859]

Was it a case of not enough material used? What if you used more ? Would it cover better? Seems like a tremendous amount of work

[@catherineharris4746]

Beautiful!👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍

[@madzackintuitive3029]

Havin spots where the powder does not stick might be caused by surface contaminates, such as oil or grease, on the bullet.

[@rustybayonet1664]

when are you going to use the powder coat with the hi-tek techniq

[@4x4le]

I had to almost double the acetone used to get the coverage needed with hi tek coating (i have only used black cherry so far). My next batch I am going to try Isoprople alcohol at 25% and acetone at 75% as the instructions say you can in order to get more shake time. My acetone was evaporating too quick. After that I am going to try mek just because why not? I think your bucket has too much surface area for the amount of bullets you are coating at one time. The food containers from wingers (pizza hut wings) are absolutely perfect for this but the acetone will eat a hole in them after about 1k bullets. You get all the swirl time you could want and then have to open it in order to keep shaking to get the sound change. Just thought I would share my findings and hope you can continue to share yours.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Brandon - Thanks for the info...Hi - Tek is a good way to coat our bullets, we just have to tune the process for our own use - I've figured out that I can do 6 pounds of bullets with 9 mls. If you do the iso Heet / acetone seems like your dry time will have to be a shade longer...Good coatin' to ya, FC

[@4x4le]

Sorry, I dont know what I was thinking. I meant to say denatured alcohol which is what I bought and what is in the instructions. I dont know if there is a difference honestly but the instructions said denatured and that is what I bought. I just didnt want to mislead you or anyone that read the comment.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Brandon - Thanks for the correction - that does make a big difference as instead of isopropyl, we have ethanol. I like the idea of a smaller bucket though - I'm using the 5 quart size that is recommended, but indeed, a smaller one would get more onto the bullets... Best to ya, FC

[@4x4le]

either way I really think if you stick with it you will find a way to get good results with just 2 coats. Side note I saw that eastwood had their powdercoating ovens on sale for less than $80 the other day and I talked myself out of it because my little oven (like yours) works, and my little oven stopped maintaining its temperature promptly afterwords. One of those could really crank up output of pc or htc bullets.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Brandon - Just got done shooting 150 Hi Tek rounds - a lot of it one handed (like the old days) - it shot well for me. And clean up was easily done...there was some deposits in the barrel but they cleaned out without difficulty. Like you say, with a bigger oven, the Hi Tek could shine...Our powder coating is still viable though. Best to ya, FC

[@gerrymatheson4020]

I hear good things about Eastwood powders, not so much positive about Harbor Freight... Do you have any perspective or opinion on Prismatic Powders?

[@roy40oz]

Could a second coating be added, after drying/ before the oven? Thanks FC45LC your videos are great!

[@nickl1682]

Cookie . You have to much time on your hands . You need to p/c and go to the range and shoot. Looks like p/c is the way to go . Nice info as always . Thanks

[@johnkovalchick6218]

give your bullets a wash in pure asetone before coating them the stuff will stick better

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

John Kovalchick - When my bullets come out of the mold and no oil gets on them, they PC readily. If the same bullets need acetone before Hi - Tek, then the Hi Tek process is already losing some traction...Sure Hi - Tek works very well to get blem free bullets for commercial outfits (using cement mixers and big tray ovens). But home casters have different setups and the process needs to merge with what we do. I'm doing more work with the Hi - Tek, but the process has to at least work as well for our use as PC or there is no drive to go with it... unless we just want to do it - no other reason is required. Best to ya, FC

[@mckwilly]

another great vid

[@danoneill2846]

That's a lot of shooting !!

[@kerryklingborg5020]

Can you install a gas check after the Hi-Tek coating?

[@T.A.B.Videos]

lookin good

[@howardschleinkofer4946]

DAN DIX put,s in a hardener in his mix you don,t mention it ????????????

[@johnkovalchick6218]

If you have to you can add more asetone

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

John Kovalchick - That sounds like a very good idea - say 110 ml of acetone to the 309 grains of powder...should give us some extra tumble time... Best to ya, FC

[@j.jeffreymiller5594]

Love your videos, but THAT looks like tooo much work!

[@Billbobaker]

What about baking olive oil or other low heat oil onto the cast bullets for a lead free bullet lube?

[@larryharrison8729]

use a fan over the top of the rack for drying and cooling will cut your time in half. This is how I do them and I will stick with Hy-Tek coating!

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Larry Harrison - PC doesn't require any drying time and the cooling can be shrunk to zero with water quenching. I can see doing Hi - Tek with bigger batches of bullets (say 8 pounds at a time + 12 mls of Hi - Tek) and bigger oven though. We shall see - I'm open to it if it works well for us... Running sequential smaller 4 pound batches of bullets is a pain in the neck. Best to ya, FC

[@larryharrison8729]

I see pc works for you and are satisfied with the results that's good. Too many bare spots for me I use hi-tek with smaller space wire baskets doing 8 to 10 lbs.at a time doing two batches at a time. I have very few bare spots on bullets. been using this for about 2 years works for my setup. Thanks for doing the view just offering some tips with process with Hi-Tek. Good luck and I have enjoyed your videos!

[@larryharrison8729]

my process with Hi-Tek is quicker than your process with Hi-Tec also alot better results. Just offering some tips to anyone wanting to use this process. I personally do 8 to 10 lbs at a time running 2 batches at a time. Thanks for your reply love the videos some very informative!

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Thanks Larry, I'm sensing that most Hi-Tek users eventually do bigger batches as that's where this process really starts to shine... Your 10 pounds sounds like just the ticket... Good Hi-Tekin' to ya, FC

[@Sometimes_Always]

3 1/2 hours of your life for how many bullets 182 + 180 = 362? What an absolute waste of time. I can work for 1 hour and buy a 1000 of these things that are perfectly coated without the hassle of cleanup, material cost, oven..etc. This makes zero sense to me.

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

3 coats? 4 coats? You have got to be $#!++!#@ me! I will stick to 45/45/10.

[@lkrueger9494]

:-)

[@Eatherbreather]

🐒

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

There's that Eatherbreather again...!! And a great day to ya..!! FC