What are some of the “benefits of powder coating” you ask?

Help me understand the “advantages of powder coating” and some of the “disadvantages of powder coating” too…. ok, this post will help!

Powder coating is a protective and decorative finish

The advanced method of applying powder coating is used for both protective and decorative finishes to any metal which is used by consumers and industry.

The process uses a powder which consists of resin and fine pigment particles, electrostatically sprayed on the metal surface. This allows the powder particles to become charged and adhere to the metal surface while being electrically grounded, until the powder has heated up and smoothly fused with the metal in a curing oven. This provides a durable, uniform, attractive and high-quality finish.

Advantages & Benefits Of Powder Coating

In North America, the powder coating process is a fast growing technology for adding finishes to products. It accounts for more than 10% of all industrial based finishing applications.

Advantage – Powder Coating Is Durable

Powder coating provides businesses, consumers, and industries a long-lasting, economical, and durable finish with a range of color options available for nearly any type of metal.

Also, a powder coated surface will be more resistant against scratches, chipping, wear, and fading compared to other type of finishes. You can choose from an almost unlimited selection of colors, including, glossy, high-gloss, flat, fluorescent, candies, clear, hammer toned, iridescent, glitter and wrinkle.

The colors will remain vibrant and bright much longer than other finishes too. The selection of textures range between a smooth surface to matte or wrinkled finishes.

Advantage – Protecting the Environment

Not only does powder coating provide great finish, it is better on the environment. Liquid painting finishes that consists of solvents are known to be pollutants of volatile organic compounds. VOC’s wreak havoc on the air we breath – nobody wants that!

What’s awesome about powder coating is that it does not contain any solvents! It only releases very negligible amounts of VOC’s, if any within the atmosphere. This means that finishers no longer have a need of purchasing and maintaining expensive equipment for pollution control.

Advantage – Powder Coat to Save Money!

Eliminating VOC’s and reducing waste saves money in the long term. Companies remain in compliance with U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

The customer reaps huge benefits in money costs because the finish lasts so much longer vs. other metal finish methods. Powder coating has many advantages.

Disadvantages Of Power Coating

While powdercoating is incredible, there are a few disadvantages:

Thin coating layers is difficult to achieve
Can break down with powerful UV rays
Color changes are difficult
Start up costs are high
“Touch ups” require starting over
Part has to be grounded in order to powder coat
Less control over the speed and amount of powder coating applied
Requires baking
Less control over smoothness
Must be painted electrostatically
Requires a powder coating over, spray gun and booth

The disadvantages aren’t really disadvantages IF you are looking for a long lasting, durable finish.

What products use powder coating?

Thousands of different parts and products use powder coating:

Appliances

Appliance companies use powder coating applications on stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, water heaters, microwave ovens, and many other areas. Metal parts on washer and dryers are now powder coated instead of using porcelain enamel.

Automotive

Powder coating is used often in the automotive industry. Hubcaps, bumpers, wheels, decorative trim, door handles, truck beds, accent parts, filters, radiators, and various engine parts.

Auto bodies are starting to include a clear powder topcoat to help increase protection. Volvo,BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Chrysler, Ford, GM and VW all use powder coating in different aspects of their automobile creation.

Commercial Buildings and Offices

Powder coating is used in the architecture and building markets. Framing, aluminum extrusions for doors and windows, modular furniture, and interior railing use powder coating.

Everywhere you look there are various building and highway projects which use powder coating as well – guardrails, light poles, fencing, posts, and signs are a few examples.

Normal Daily Products

Many daily products are being powder coated to increase the quality of finishes. These products include antennas, lighting fixtures, and electrical elements. Farm equipment and tractors use powder coating. Fitness industries use powder coating on golf cards, golf clubs, ski poles, bicycles, snowmobiles, and other different types of exercise equipment.

Store owners often use powder coating for their shelves, display racks, vending machines, and store fixtures. At the office, computer cabinets, metal furniture thumbtacks, mechanical pens and pencils, among other accessories are often powder coated.

Often, parents use products that have been powder coated all the time! Cribs, baby strollers, wagons, metal toys and kids bikes are powder coated.

Homeowners also have powder coated items, such as snow blowers, lawn mowers, patio furniture, BBQ grills, electronic components, garden tools, toolboxes, bathroom scales, and fire extinguishers.

You can see the list for powdercoating possibilities is almost infinite! The advantages of powder coating are obvious.

Superior Powder Coating Utah

Superior Performance Coating Utah knows the powder coating industry inside and out. We provide the best powder coating services throughout the Salt Lake and Utah county metropolitan areas in Utah including: Salt Lake City, Provo, Orem, Bluffdale, Pleasant Grove, Riverton, Draper, Lehi and more.

Feel free to send us a text at 801.687.9110 ANYTIME for a free consultation and estimate on your powder coating project needs.

Sometimes working in the powder coating industry can be difficult. A few customers have had a bad experience at an alternative outfit and they want to know what makes your process better than what they had in the past.

The question that is typically asked goes like this:

What is your powder coating process?

It’s a great question and an awesome chance to explain the science behind powder coating.

Step 1 – Cleanliness

If you want the best possible finish with your powder coating, it all starts with CLEANLINESS. That sounds like something your mother would say right?

Obviously the process for preparing each part depends on the base material, metals and “others” – like fiberglass. Typically, the part is thoroughly cleaned to remove and oil or grease on the surface.

The next part is called “etching“. This process removes any surface oxides and makes sure there is more surface area for the powder coating to stick to. After the part is etched, the part is cleaned again.

Step 2 – Preparing part for coat application

Once the part is properly cleaned to receive coating, we move on to prepare for the coat application. Manufacturers of powder coating systems use a special blend of polymer resin. They also use requisite curatives and pigments to create each individual color and the finish your blessed heart desires.

Because the color and finish of the powder is determined at the manufacturing facility based on you order, the finished powder used on your project can not be changed or it will produce and uneven result.

(Make sure your coater uses the same powder from start to finish of your project)

Step 3 – Powder Coating Application

Say the words, “Electromagnetic properties” – sounds awesome huh?

Well, the powder that is placed inside of a powder coating paint gun charges the particles using either friction or an electrical source. Science makes the powder stick!

Next, the part that is being coated is grounded to provide an opposite charge that will attract the particles as they are sprayed. The thickness of the application will vary depending on whether the coating is external or internal, or the type of environment that the part will be used in.

The powder will continue to stick to the surface of the part as long as it is grounded, which allows for multiple sprays to cover the part. This helps with the powder coating process.

Step 4 – Curing

Once the part is completely coated it is placed in an oven which heats the coating to a minimum of 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the powder reaches this temperature it melts and flows together, forming long chemical chains which give the coating its rigidity and durability.

As it cools, the surface of the finish takes on a gel-like consistency until it reaches room temperature and is completely cured. Once again – science prevails!

Most powder coating finishes will not melt again once they have cured, meaning that they can be used in a wide range of applications and environments without cause for concern.

Powder coating is a scientifically proven finishing process. It requires specialized tools to achieve the electromagnetic charge for a strong bond.

Powder coating does offer a wide range of color and finish options – from glossy to matte. Powder coating also provides a more durable finish that is both corrosion and scratch resistant so your coating will last for years to come.

After your part has been powder coated, years later it can easily cleaned with warm soapy water and restored to its original shine within minutes.

Powder coating is a fantastic way to finish and protect parts made from nearly any material. It is suitable even in harsh environments where it may come in contact with chemicals or solvents. Your coating professional can adjust the thickness of the coating to stand up to industrial applications.

Thank you for reading about the answer to “What is your powder coating process?”

Make sure you are taking your parts to a knowledgeable and experienced powder coater to ensure proper curing and longevity. For more detailed information on powder coating in Utah, please contact us at Superior Powder Coating LLC.

You can visit us online at www.superiorpowdercoatingutah.com or reach us directly at 801.687.9110

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Powder Coating