What Is Powder Coating?

What Is Powder Coating?

Metal powder coating is a process of applying a dry powder finish to metal surfaces using an electrostatic charge and heat curing. The purpose of the finish can be both decorative and protective. It can be used with a wide variety of metals and delivers a high quality finish that is durable and attractive. Metal powder coating is suitable for either indoor or outdoor applications and is a cost effective solution for protecting and enhancing metal products.

How metal powder coating works

The powder used for metal coating is a finely ground mixture of various pigments, resins, leveling agents, flow modifiers, and other additives. These ingredients are combined, melt mixed, cooled, and then ground into a powder. Next, we use a process called electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) to apply the powder coating to the metal substrate. Our application method is a spray gun that applies an electrostatic charge to the powder particles, which are then attracted to the grounded metal object. For larger runs, we also utilize an automated line to increase our production output. 

After applying the powder coating to the metal surfaces, the product enters a curing oven where the addition of heat causes the coating to chemically react and produce long molecular chains, resulting in excellent powder adhesion.

What types of products are powder coated?

Metal powder coating can be used on a wide variety of products, most often those made of mild steel, galvanized and electroplated steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and other steel alloys. Because of the durability, longevity, and quality appearance that powder coating provides, it is commonly used for home appliances, like kitchen mixers and gas ranges, automotive bodies and wheels, doors, fences, lamp posts, gates, and many other products.

What is powder coating and what are the benefits? 

Metal powder coating offers several advantages over other coating and finishing methods. Here are some of the primary benefits of using this process:

• Toughness – Powder coating provides the most durable finish for metal products. Powder coated products are resistant to moisture, chemicals, ultraviolet light, and other extreme weather or operating conditions that typically lead to wear and tear.

• Long lasting – How long metal powder coating lasts depends on a variety of factors, including the type of powder used, the quality of the application process, and the environment that the product is in. A properly applied powder coat finish can last for many years.

• High quality appearance – Metal powder coating comes in a wide variety of custom colors, which helps in giving your metallic product the perfect, polished look. In addition, powder coating provides an easy way to add textures and patterns in order to enhance the appearance of the product.

• Cost effective – Due to its durability and longevity, your typical metal powder coating will end up costing less in the long run compared to other coating and finishing methods that will need to be replaced more often and do not provide protection as effective as powder coating.

• Environmentally friendly – Compared to traditional coating options, powder coating is generally better for the environment. Powders do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and applying them creates less waste, because there is no overspray like there is with liquid paints.

How to choose the right metal powder coating service

Choosing the best service provider for the job will have a huge impact on how successfully your product is powder coated. They have to have the right equipment, experience coating a wide variety of products, and a track record of excellence and high quality results. Here are some factors to consider when deciding on your metal powder coating provider:

• Experience and reputation – Choose a provider that has been in business for a while and has a good reputation. Check for reviews and ratings from previous jobs and clients.
• Understand which coatings they use – Your provider should only use high quality coatings that meet industry standards and are suitable for your specific application. Ask for samples of their work to see what coatings they work with.
• Turnaround time – Use a provider that can deliver an efficient turnaround time. Discuss your project’s timeline with them to ensure that they can meet your deadlines.
• Pricing – Look at the prices offered by different metal powder coating providers and choose the one that offers fair and competitive pricing. However, we recommend being cautious of very low pricing, as it could mean a compromise in the quality of the coatings or service.

Use metal powder coating for your next finishing job

Powder coating offers numerous quality, environmental, aesthetic, and cost advantages over other painting and coating methods. It is the ideal option to achieve a specific color match or when a product, part, or piece of equipment will be operating in harsh conditions. When completed the right way, it is the best choice for the majority of metal finishing jobs.

If you have any questions about metal powder coating or metal finishing in general,  contact our team today.