Why Powder Coating?

Prepping the powder coating spray gun

Running a powder coating shop can be tough sometimes. Clients and customers ask all the time, “Why powder coating?” instead of a liquid based paint? 

Powder coating is the finish of the future….and it’s here today! 

What makes powder coating the best choice?

Powder coating looks like paint but acts like armor. It’s tough, attractive, cost-effective and easy on the environment. Powder coated products have established a technologically superior reputation for performance and durability.

How are products powder coated?

Finely ground particles of pigment and resin are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the surface to be coated. The charged powder particles stick to the electrically grounded surfaces until the powder is heated and fused into a smooth coating in the curing oven. The result is a uniform, durable, high quality finish.

Powder coating is one of the most economical, longest lasting, and most color-durable quality finishes available for metal. Powder coated surfaces are more resistant to chipping, scratching, fading and wearing than other finishes. You can choose from smooth to textured finishes….and colors from flat to semi-gloss to high gloss.

Here’s how the Powder Coating process works in 5 simple steps: 

SANDBLASTING:   A quality finish starts with the proper surface preparation. We have our own in-house sandblasting booth. Sandblasting our own items allows us be in control of the entire powder coating process from start to finish. Our large blast room lets us handle both large and small jobs with ease.

After the sandblast, we go to the   

CLEANING PROCESS:   We hand clean all items to ensure proper adhesion. Our pre-treatment process has been proven successful on steel, aluminum and galvanized substrates.  Products pass through our oven prior to the application of powder to “bake-off” any oils or grease that may still be on or inside the part.  

PREPARATION:   High temperature masking tape is applied to designated surfaces to keep them from being coated. Silicon plugs and caps are used for threaded holes or shafts to protect them. We make sure we are clean and concise in our preparation before the powder coating process begins. 

POWDER COATING:   Our oven and coating system ensures a superior finish for your item.  The powder coating process uses a dry mix of plastic resins, pigments and fillers. These melt and fuse together when heated. The powder is then applied by an electrostatic charged spray gun and carried by low velocity air to the surface of the piece to be coated. The electrostatic charge holds the powder particles in place. The charged particles adhere to the metal product until melted and fused into a solid coating in the curing oven.

CURING OVEN:   Once coated, the part is rolled into the curing oven and baked on. The heat of the oven causes a chemical reaction  that melts the dry powder to a liquid. The curing process causes it to harden, creating a highly durable “tough skin” finish.  Read about our brand new state of the art curing oven here

LARGE PARTS CAPABILITY:   Our facility can handle parts up to 24’ long. Forklift service available.

So now that you’ve read this you’re more than just a bystander, you can answer the question “Why powder coating?” with ease.

Feel free to give us a call anytime – day or night. We’re available via text message 24/7.

Call or Text now for your FREE quote – 801.687.9110