INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Powdercoating is done with thermoplastic or thermoset polymer powder, and these materials are formulated for bonding with different base metals to give the best results. See the next section for a detailed discussion of the differences between thermoset and thermoplastic coats. What's good for a car may not be good for a small trinket or decoration. It sounds simple, but many people forget this step. The powder coat you apply will adhere to everything (if properly done) on your rig, making sealed surfaces, bearings, clamps, bolts and nuts, etc. useless after blasting. Using bead or abrasive blasting on hard metal, such as cast iron or steel, will remove mill and rust scale, dirt and foreign materials. Chemical solvent cleaning will remove any grease, oil, or paint, and light sanding can be done to finish preparing the surface. Aluminum, magnesium, and other soft alloy metals can be solvent cleaned and wire brushed, or sanded if needed.  For example, you might sand-blast whatever you want to powder coat until it's down to bare metal. This is the first step in the process. If you don't have access to a sandblaster, you can also use a wire wheel, bench-grinder, or even sandpaper. Just as long as you get the material down to bare metal. The next step is to strip the metal of any remaining grime or gunk. You can achieve this by soaking the item in acetone (if the item is small enough) or by wiping it with an acetone-soaked rag. This is done using a "gun" or compressed air sprayer which electrostatically charges the powder material so that it sticks to the grounded base metal object receiving the coating.  These guns are available from various suppliers, and cost as little as $100.  For experimental purposes, you can apply the powder to a flat metal surface by dusting it directly on, and spreading it to a thin, even layer.  Make sure you have your electrostatic charge hooked up to whatever part you are coating. The powder you use won't properly adhere unless it's given a charge to hold onto. After applying the coat but before curing, be careful not to brush or blow on the powder coat, as this will cause some of the powder to fall off, leaving you with a less precise coat. A conventional oven is suitable for this purpose if the metal is small enough to fit, otherwise, an infrared heat lamp or other flame less heat source needs to be used.  Normally, the object is heated to 350° to 375° F (175° to 190° C) for about 10 to 15 minutes, and allowed to cool. You can use a conventional oven to powder coat smaller items. Just be sure that you won't be using the oven to cook food after the powder coating. Once you've used an oven to powder coat, it absolutely should not be used for cooking.

SUMMARY: Determine the type of material you are going to powdercoat and then select a suitable powder for the finish. Disassemble all threaded or lubricated interfaces before you begin, including anything you don't want coated. Clean the base metal thoroughly. Apply the powder to the object to be powder coated. Cure the metal at a temperature appropriate for the powder material you use.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: An emollient is a rich moisturizing ointment that softens the skin. Emollients not only reduce the dry skin buildup associated with psoriasis, but they may also make your skin more receptive to other topical treatments. Ask your doctor to recommend an emollient that will work well with your skin type. You may be able to buy an effective emollient over the counter, or your doctor or dermatologist may prescribe one for you. Your doctor may recommend using a steroid cream or ointment to reduce inflammation associated with psoriasis. Topical steroid treatments can also reduce itching and slow down the production of new skin cells.  Don't use corticosteroids on your psoriasis without your doctor's recommendation. Topical steroids can cause a variety of side effects, including irritation or rashes (contact dermatitis), thinning of the skin, acne breakouts, excessive hair growth, or changes in skin color. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using the steroids and talk to your doctor. This vitamin slows the growth of skin cells and is usually applied in topical form. However, vitamin D analogues can irritate the skin, so they should be used sparingly and with caution.  In many cases, vitamin D will be combined in a cream with corticosteroids. If your skin is sensitive to vitamin D ointments, Calcitriol (Vectical) is a relatively gentle option. However, Calcitriol can be expensive. Calcineurin inhibitors, like tacrolimus or pimecrolimus, work by inhibiting excessive immune system activity that can lead to inflammation and plaque buildup. They are especially good for treating sensitive areas, like the face and scalp. Calcineurin inhibitors should be used with caution, and only with your doctor's recommendation. Long-term use can increase your risk of skin cancer and lymphoma. Coal tar is a very old remedy for psoriasis. It reduces inflammation and slows the buildup of plaque and dead skin cells. It is often used in combination with ultraviolet (UVB) therapy. However, coal tar smells unpleasant, can stain your clothes and bedding, and may cause irritation or an allergic reaction in some people.  Coal tar can be applied before bed and left on overnight, or applied in the morning and washed off after 10-15 minutes. If you choose to leave coal tar on your skin overnight, let it dry for 10-15 minutes before getting into bed in order to minimize stains on your bedding. Your doctor may recommend using coal tar in combination with topical steroid treatments. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and are used for a variety of skin conditions. They are applied directly to the skin in order to remove scales and ease inflammation. One common type of retinoid that is used for facial psoriasis is acitretin.  This medication should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Retinoids may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Always use sunscreen before going outside while you are using retinoid creams.

SUMMARY: Use emollients and moisturizers. Ask your doctor about using corticosteroids. Use synthetic vitamin D. Ask your doctor about using calcineurin inhibitors. Treat your psoriasis with coal tar. Apply retinoid creams.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Once you've had your first meeting, make sure to maintain regular communication with your members. Offer regular updates on meeting times, as well as synopses of the meetings. You'll also need to provide updates as new information becomes available. It's important that your personal agenda (such as advancing in the company) doesn't come before the committee. That means that you place more importance on the committee succeeding in its goals than on you succeeding in your own goals. One of the key points of encouraging creativity is that you build up members rather than tear them down. If you are constantly berating members in front of the group for their ideas, they will soon stop volunteering ideas. Therefore, it's important to make the committee a place where you are accepting of new thoughts and ideas, even if they seem strange at first. As old members go off the committee, you'll need to recruit more members. As you do, make sure you provide them with an appropriate orientation that covers the rules and focus of the group, just as you did when you started with the committee. Help the new person to figure out how she or he can engage with the committee. Many times, members do not need to be on a committee, and they are volunteering to do so. Keep that in mind as you run your committee, and offer your thanks in writing and in person for what they do to make your committee a success.

SUMMARY:
Communicate often. Put the committee above your personal agenda. Encourage creativity. Gain new members. Don't forget to be thankful.