You might try the trick I use to remove tubes. I put the tube and mandrel in a bucket of water and move it back in forth. Once a little water gets between the plastic and the rod it comes off super easy.
Candy powder coats are fairly thin. It also depends on how thick you apply it. I use epoxy powder from a local guy and It feels thinner than the usual stuff.
The 6/0 7/0 and 8/0 is easy to bend. I cut the end finger off glove. Stick the bend and point in the glove. Put cutters on the eye and bend forward. The bottom part of the cutter goes on the shank and the top goes against the eye.