How to Powder Coat Milwaukee Fastbacks: Our Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Ever wondered how people turn an ordinary red Milwaukee Fastback into a custom utility knife with incredible colors, metallic finishes, and unique designs?
At EZ Home Brand, we've spent the last few years experimenting with powder coating, refining our techniques, and learning from countless mistakes along the way.
What started as a way to customize our own tools has turned into a full production process. We regularly work on batches of Milwaukee Fastbacks, sometimes stripping 10 or more knives in a single day.
In this guide, we're sharing our seven-step powder coating process, the tools we use in our shop and some important tips we've learned through experience.
Whether you're completely new to powder coating or already have experience and want to start customizing EDC tools, this guide is for you.
Why Powder Coat Milwaukee Fastbacks?
Milwaukee Fastbacks are popular among electricians, carpenters, mechanics, contractors, and everyday carry (EDC) enthusiasts.
They're practical utility knives, but most come with the same recognizable factory finish.
Powder coating gives us the ability to transform these everyday tools into something completely different.
We experiment with candy colors, metallic finishes, color-shifting powders, glow-in-the-dark effects and custom color combinations.
Properly applied powder coating can provide a durable finish with excellent coverage and a wide variety of color options.
Our 7-Step Milwaukee Fastback Powder Coating Process
Step 1: Disassembly – Removing the Stubborn Screws
Before powder coating, we completely disassemble the Milwaukee Fastback.
One of the biggest challenges is removing the factory screws because of the strong red thread lock glue.
Our shop technique: We've used an oven at approximately 300°F for around 10 minutes to help loosen the factory thread lock.
However, heating an assembled knife can damage plastic, springs and other heat-sensitive components.
Use properly fitting T10 Torx tools and avoid forcing stubborn screws.
Pro Tip: The T10 bits are the ones we damage most often. Keep extras on hand! Some worn bits can be carefully ground down to expose a fresh tip, but cracked or weakened bits should be discarded.
Step 2: Strip the Original Factory Coating
Next, we remove the original finish using Nanner Peel Mad Scientist, our water-based powder coating stripper.
We typically heat the solution to approximately 175°F. Many Fastback components can be stripped in around 10 minutes, depending on the coating.
Always follow the stripper's handling instructions and safety data sheet, including the required protective equipment.
This step has saved us a tremendous amount of time compared to removing the entire factory finish through sandblasting.
Step 3: Outgassing
After stripping, we place the bare metal components into our oven for outgassing.
Outgassing helps drive off moisture and certain contaminants that can contribute to bubbles, pinholes, or imperfections in the finished coating.
Step 4: Sandblasting or Ceramic Tumbling
Once outgassing is complete, we prepare the surface using either sandblasting or a ceramic media tumbler.
These processes help remove remaining residue and prepare the metal for powder coating.
Proper surface preparation is one of the most important parts of achieving a professional finish.
Step 5: Final Cleaning and Torch Treatment
We thoroughly clean each component to remove dust, oils, and other contaminants.
Always wear clean gloves when handling prepared parts. Oils from your skin can transfer onto the metal and cause coating imperfections.
Another technique we've used is briefly passing a torch over suitable bare-metal components after cleaning to help eliminate tiny fibers or lint that may be difficult to see. This must only be considered for completely dry, compatible metal parts with no flammable solvent residue. Proper cleaning and outgassing remain essential.
Step 6: Powder Coating
Now comes our favorite part: bringing the custom colorway to life.
We use premium powders, including specialty colors from Prismatic Powders, to create unique finishes.
Depending on the design, we may use primers, multiple colors, transparent topcoats, or specialty effects.
Once applied, we cure the powder according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Beginner Tip: Start with basic colors like black and white.
Chrome is one of the hardest powder coating finishes to achieve cleanly. Master basic colors before experimenting with more challenging specialty finishes.
Step 7: Reassembly and Final Inspection
Once the components have cooled, we carefully reassemble the Fastback.
We use a small amount of suitable lubricating oil on appropriate moving components to help the blade holder and buttons operate smoothly.
Finally, we inspect the finish, check the fit, and verify that everything functions properly.
Tools & Supplies We Use to Powder Coat Milwaukee Fastbacks
Over the last few years, we've tested different tools and supplies to find what works best in our shop.
Here are the products we use and recommend.
1. T10 Torx Screwdrivers – Grab at Least 3
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Fastback screws can be extremely stubborn because of the factory threadlocker.
We recommend grabbing at least three T10 screwdrivers or bits so you always have backups available. These don't strip as often as the T6 Bits.
2. Replacement Bits – Grab a Couple of Bundles
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The T6 Bits we sometimes strip around 10 bits per day. Having replacement bits on hand helps keep production moving when a tip wears down or becomes damaged.
Pro Tip: Don't automatically throw away every worn bit. Some can be carefully reground.
3. Lubricating Oil for Reassembly
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We recommend grabbing a bottle of Riptide oil to help with reassembly.
A little goes a long way, so one bottle should last a long time. Applying a small amount to the appropriate moving parts can help your Fastback and buttons flick more smoothly.
4. Metal Hangers
We recommend getting metal hangers to suspend your Fastback components during powder coating.
These make it easier to coat and cure multiple pieces.
Pro Tip: Don't throw them away! You can clean and reuse your hangers multiple times. Just make sure they maintain proper electrical contact for grounding. Use Nanner Peel Mad Scientist to clean them.
5. Powder Coating Hooks
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These are the exact hooks we use at EZ Home Brand to hang our Milwaukee Fastback components.
We've experimented with different options, and these are the hooks that work best for our process.
They make it easier to hang small components during powder application and curing.
6. High-Temperature Silicone Masking Plugs
Shop EZ Home High-Temperature Silicone Masking Plugs
These are the silicone masking plugs we use to protect the holes in our Fastback components.
They help prevent powder buildup inside holes, making reassembly easier.
A 100-piece pack is enough to mask approximately 16 Milwaukee Fastbacks.
These plugs are listed with a temperature rating of up to 600°F.
You can also clean and reuse plugs that remain in good condition.
Pro Tips We've Learned From Powder Coating Fastbacks
Start With Basic Colors
If you're new to powder coating, practice with black and white before attempting chrome, metallics, and more challenging finishes.
Always Wear Gloves
Keep oils from your hands off freshly cleaned metal components.
Keep Extra T10 Bits
The T10 bits are the ones we damage most frequently. Keep extras nearby, especially if you're working on multiple knives.
Don't Rush Surface Preparation
Stripping, outgassing, sandblasting or ceramic tumbling, and final cleaning all play an important role in the final result.
Keep Practicing
We've spent over two years experimenting with powders, temperatures, equipment, and different preparation techniques.
We've made mistakes and learned from failed attempts.
The most important thing is to keep practicing and improving.
Join The Powder Coating Lab
Want to learn more about powder coating?
We created The Powder Coating Lab, a Facebook community for beginners, hobbyists, and experienced powder coaters.
Whether you're completely new or have been powder coating professionally for years, everyone is welcome.
Our goal is to bring people together to ask questions, share techniques, troubleshoot problems, and help each other improve.
We love sharing what we've learned, but we also love learning from other experienced powder coaters.
Shop Custom Powder Coated Milwaukee Fastbacks
Don't have the equipment or time to powder coat your own?
At EZ Home Brand, we create custom powder-coated Milwaukee Fastbacks featuring unique colors, specialty finishes, and creative designs.
We're constantly experimenting with new colorways and techniques.
Visit EZ Home Brand to explore our custom products, powder coating tools, and supplies.
EZ Home Brand is an independent customizer and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Milwaukee Tool.
Want to learn more? Get our complete step-by-step PDF guide, packed with detailed instructions, shop tips, troubleshooting, and answers to frequently asked questions: Get the Full PDF Guide Here