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Coating Instructions



Bullet Corp Bullet Coating Instructions

Coating lead bullets with BCB Coating requires precision to ensure optimal performance under the extreme conditions of firearms use. Below are the professional steps and guidelines to achieve a durable, high-quality finish. Follow these instructions carefully and refer to additional resources as needed.

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Chemical-resistant gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Respirator suitable for painting

Equipment and Tools

  • BCB Coating Powder
  • Solvent mixture: 50% acetone and 50% Denatured Synthetic Ethanol or equivalent
  • PPE (as listed above)
  • Measuring tools (e.g., scale, graduated cylinder)
  • Plastic tumbling containers (buckets)
  • Mixing container (plastic bottle, preferably twin-neck for pressure release)
  • Paper towels, waste rags, and plastic sheeting for workspace protection
  • Well-ventilated workspace
  • Flat wire trays or baskets (heat-resistant, capable of supporting bullet weight)
  • Oven with reliable temperature control (verify accuracy with an external thermometer and probe)
  • Clean, unsized lead bullets (pre-washed in acetone)

Solvent Mixture

  • Formula: 50% acetone and 50% Denatured Synthetic Ethanol or equivalent
  • Note: Ensure the solvent mixture is water-free for proper dissolution. Add a bit more Denatured Synthetic Ethanol to reduce acetone and enhance bullet shine if desired.

Coating Mix Ratios

  • 3 Coats: 15g BCB Coating powder per 100ml solvent mixture (50ml acetone + 50ml Denatured Synthetic Ethanol or equivalent)
  • 2 Coats: 20g BCB Coating powder per 100ml solvent mixture (e.g., 50ml acetone + 50ml Denatured Synthetic Ethanol or equivalent)
  • Preparation: Allow the mixture to stand for at least 5min to fully dissolve. Shake thoroughly before use. Open the bottle slowly to release pressure safely—twin-neck bottles are recommended.

Application Guidelines

  • Minimum Batch: Coat at least 1kg of bullets per batch to ensure proper rubbing and coverage. Smaller batches may yield uneven results.
  • Coating Volume: Use ~10ml of prepared coating for 1-3kg of bullets. Add 1ml per additional 300-350g. Larger bullets may require slightly more coating.

Drying Process

  • BCB Coating air-dries in approximately 5 minutes, depending on ambient temperature. Ensure bullets are dry to the touch before baking.

Baking Process

  • Temperature: 180-190°C (356-374°F)
  • Time: 10 minutes, starting the timer once the bullet alloy reaches the set temperature. Maintain this temperature throughout.
  • Note: Oven performance varies—test and calibrate your oven for accuracy and heat distribution.

Coating Instructions

  1. Clean the Bullets: Wash bullets in acetone using a clean bucket, tumbling is needed. Dry thoroughly. Proper cleaning ensures coating adhesion—contaminated bullets may flake.
  2. Prepare for Coating: Transfer dry bullets to a tumbling bucket.
  3. Apply Coating: Add the prepared coating mixture and tumble or agitate rapidly (without spilling) until evenly coated. Stop when the bucket feels dry and the sound of the bullets changes, indicating solvent evaporation.
  4. Check Finish: Dump bullets onto a tray. They should appear wet and shiny. If dull or matte, the solvent evaporated too quickly—adjust by adding 10-20% more Denatured Synthetic Ethanol or equivalent to reduce acetone for a shinier finish.
  5. Air-Dry: Shake the tray gently to spread bullets evenly. Let them air-dry for 1-5 minutes until dry to the touch.
  6. Bake: Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180-190°C for 10 minutes (timed from when bullets reach temperature). Remove and cool.
  7. Repeat: For 2 or 3 coats, repeat steps 3-6 using the same coating mixture after cooling.
  8. Smooth Finish: After the final coat cools, tumble the bullets in a clean, dry bucket to remove surface roughness. Slight color transfer to hands is normal and indicates a polished finish.

Over-Baking Considerations

Over-baking won’t damage the coating’s integrity, but it may darken the color, affecting the final appearance. Adjust bake time as needed for desired aesthetics.

Testing Coated Bullets

  1. Acetone Test:
    • After cooling, rub a bullet with an acetone-moistened rag for 30 seconds.
    • Pass: No coating removal indicates proper curing.
    • Fail: Coating loss suggests low temperature, poor oven performance, or insufficient bake time.
  2. Smash Test:
    • Smash a coated bullet with a hammer.
    • Pass: Coating adheres without flaking.
    • Fail: Flaking indicates overly thick application, dirty bullets, or inadequate drying/curing.

Common Failure Causes

  • Low bake temperature or time
  • Overloaded oven or poor heat circulation
  • Contaminated bullets
  • Incorrect mix ratio or excessive coating volume

Support

For assistance or questions, contact us at info@bulletcorp.co.za. Our team is here to ensure your coating process delivers the precision and durability Bullet Corp is known for.