In recent years powder coated Yeti cups have exploded in popularity. You can buy them online almost anywhere, in stores or online at places such as Etsy. However, if you have a free day or some extra time lying around, why not make it a fun DIY project?
You might think it’s overly complicated or expensive, but you’d be surprised how easy and cheap it actually is to do it yourself. We’re going to break down the benefits of powder coating your yeti cups, as well as how to do it!
Table of Contents
What is a Yeti Cup?
Yeti Travel Tumblers are durable, reusable, stainless steel travel mugs. They’re fitted with double-wall vacuum insulation and are built to protect your beverages, no matter how hot or cold.
Yeti cups come in numerous sizes and shapes. Here are the products they have available.
| Rambler Lowball | 10 Oz | Magslider Lid |   |
| Rambler Travel Mug | 10 Oz | Standard Lid |   |
| Rambler Wine Tumbler | 10 Oz | Magslider Lid |   |
| Rambler Travel Mug | 20 Oz | Magslider Lid |   |
| Rambler Stackable Cup | 26 Oz | Straw Lid |   |
| Rambler Travel Mug | 30 Oz | Magslider Lid |   |
You can choose between a variety of different shapes and colors. Still, if you’re looking to powder coat your Yeti, the color likely won’t matter.
Looking to purchase a Yeti of your own? They can be conveiantly purchased online.
Why is Powder Coating Yeti Cups so Popular?
Somewhere along the line, people started buying Yeti cups purely for the sake of powder coating them. It’s rather bizarre and almost difficult to truly explain how this happened, but it did.
People wanted to spend their time personalizing their Yeti cups with fun DIY projects that couples did together and then did more for their families.
What are the Benefits of Powder Coated Yeti Cups?
Besides it being another fun DIY project, powder coating your Yeti cup comes with some benefits.
Scratch Protection
Powder coating your Yeti cup will give it that extra layer of protection. You’ll be able to know that thanks to your handy work, you’re providing your Yeti cup protection from scratches and scuff marks. This doesn’t mean it is impervious to scratches and scuff marks, but powder coating can give it that extra bit of protection. You need to do your part and take care of your Yeti cup.
Design Options
There are countless color options available when it comes to powdered paint. You’ll be hardpressed not to find the color you’re looking for. However, it is essential to note that it’s very difficult to use two different colors. Therefore, we don’t recommend trying unless you’re an incredibly skilled powder coater.
Restore Your Yeti Cup
Has your Yeti cup been through the wringer? Have you been taking it rock climbing and allowed it to knock up against rocks and walls? Well, powder coating means you can give your Yeti cup a new lease on life. Of course, it won’t look perfect, but it will look almost as good as new.
What You Need for Powder Coating Yeti Cups
There are a few things you’re going to need to powder coat your Yeti cup the right way.
1. Yeti Cup
This one should be rather obvious, but to powder coat your Yeti cup, you need to get a Yeti cup. You can purchase a Yeti cup in countless locations or online.
2. Acetone
In order to properly clean the Yeti cup of any markings, oils, or anything that might happen during the powder coating process, you need to use acetone to make sure it’s powder paint ready.
3. Lint Free Rags
You’ll be using this in connection with the acetone to wipe down your Yeti cup. Lint-free means you’re not adding any fibers to the Yeti while trying to remove everything that might get in the way.
4. Great Lighting
It’s essential that whatever workspace you use has excellent lighting. This is important as you need to see what you’re doing to make sure you are providing an even powder coating job.
5. A place to Powder Coat
Find a place in your workspace that will be the primary location for powder coating. Make sure you have enough room to add in all the things you’ll need to pull this off.
Additionally, you’ll need to create a little barrier so that the powder paint isn’t being sprayed on arbitrary surfaces. A typical cardboard box is perfectly acceptable for such a project.
If you have the time, take a look at the video on creating your own powder coating booth.
6. Powder Coating Gun
You can purchase a powder coating gun from numerous places at different prices and qualities. Be sure to do some research to make the right decision for you within your price range.
7. Tray and Oven
Any baking tray will do, especially one that comes with the oven you’ll use to heat the Yeti cup and powder coat it.
8. Foil
Standard aluminum foil will be needed to line the baking tray to help ground the electrostatic charge the powder coat gun will use.
9. Air Compressor
An air compressor will help when you need to clean up the area and blast the Yeti cup of any residual powder paint that might be lingering around.
10. Safety Equipment
Make sure you have gloves on deck to retrieve the baking tray from the oven after you’ve bonded the powder coating to the yeti using heat. We also recommend a mask just as a precaution to prevent breathing in powder paint accidentally.
Powder Coating Gun Method
In this method, you’re going to use a powder coating gun to apply the powder paint to your Yeti. The process goes as follows;
Step One: Clean the Yeti Cup
Using acetone and while wearing gloves, take your Yeti cup and wipe it down, removing all the oils, marks, etc.
Step Two: Prep
Place the Yeti cup on the baking tray with your aluminum foil covering the tray. You can either put it in the oven for a bit or use a blow torch to get it nice and hot for the powder paint.
Step Three: Apply Powder Paint
Take your alligator clips, connect them to the baking tray, and begin using the powder coating gun to apply the powder paint to the Yeti cup.
Step Four: Bake Your Yeti Cup
Follow the recommended heat provided by the manufacturer. Then, place it in the oven for roughly ten minutes before adjusting the temperature and letting it cure for a further ten minutes.
Step Five: Take it out and Let it Cool
Now that you’ve let it back for roughly twenty minutes, you can take it out and let it cool for a bit. Now you can enjoy your freshly painted Yeti cup and show off your handy work to your friends and family.
FAQ
Here are a few frequently asked questions we often encounter when it comes to powder coating Yeti cups.
Is it Safe to Drink from a Powder Coated Yeti?
Absolutely! You’re only powder coating the outside of the Yeti cup, not the inside where the liquids are stored. However, this does require you to ensure no paint gets inside the yeti cup. So make sure you take the correct steps to avoid getting powder paint on any inside parts of the tumbler.
Is it environmentally safe?
Powder coating is considered a relatively environmentally friendly activity. This is because it doesn’t rely on chemical carriers or solvents. Instead, the powder coating depends on an electrostatic charge to bond the pain to the material eliminating VOC emission problems.
Is it able to be washed in a dishwasher?
YETI themselves said that their cups can be washed in a dishwasher. However, they’ve also stated handwashing to be the best way to keep the YETI in its best condition. As a result, we recommend the same.
Better safe than sorry, don’t let the dishwasher erase all of your hard work.
How durable is powder coating?
Powder coating is incredibly durable, hence its popularity. The powder is strong and fights against the harshest conditions to prevent loss in the polished look of the powder coating.
Can I powder coat a non-Yeti stainless steel tumbler?
Of course! This process is in no way exclusive to the Yeti tumblers, they’ve just become closely associated with the process.
Final thoughts
There you have it! Now you can go and make your Yeti cup even stronger than when you bought it! Be sure to let us know how it goes and what design you ended up going for.
Have a friend with a new Yeti cup? Why not share this article with them to help them achieve a powder coating their own Yeti cup!
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