What is powder coating?

Powder coating is a dry finishing process that uses finely ground powders of pigment and resin to
coat the surface.  Powder coating uses an electrostatically charged technique in which the powders
are charged so that the powder particles adhere to the metal surface and are then melted and
fused together in the curing process.
Since its introduction in North America almost 40 years ago, powder coating has become the
fastest growing finishing technology, currently representing over 15 percent of the total industrial
finishing market.  More and more finishing engineers, for a countless array of products, have
switched from liquid finishing to powder coating as a way to produce a high quality and durable
finish while maximizing production, cutting costs, improving efficiency, and complying with
increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

What is the powder coating process?

First, the part is suspended, pre-treated and dried.  A specialized spray gun is used to apply the
powder coating.  The powder is charged by an electrode which creates an ion cloud.  The powder
particles pass through this ion cloud and pick up a negative charge.  Since the parts are grounded,
there is an electrostatic attraction of the powder particle to the part. The powder evenly adheres to
the parts.  The part now enters the curing oven where the powder melts, cross links, and bonds to
the surface of the part.  Once the part exits the oven and cools, the finish is complete.

What are the benefits of powder coating over wet painting?

Powder coating offers superior scratch resistance, superior chemical resistance, and superior
impact resistance.

Does powder coating prevent rust?

Powder coating is durable and very long-lasting depending on its environment and how the items
are used.  It is not, however, a rust preventative.  Pre-treatment and/or primer coating is helpful
for prolonging the life of the coating.

What can be powder coated?

Iron Duct Work
Ammunition Boxes
Bicycle Frames
Architectural Signage
Dune Buggy Frames
Industrial Fabrications
Fences
Gates
Tools
Car Chassis  
Bed Frames
Railings  
Fixtures
Wrought Iron Work
Automotive Parts
Window Frames
Trade Show Signs
Lanai Furniture
Cabinet Hardware
Retail Displays

Nearly anything made of metal can be powder coated!

Are there environmental concerns with the powder coating process?

Powder coating is an “environmental friendly” process!  While liquid finishes contain solvents
which have pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), powder coating contains no
solvents and releases negligible amounts, if any, of VOC’s into the atmosphere.  In addition, most
powder coating overspray that does not adhere to the part can be retrieved and reused, virtually
eliminating the waste commonly found in liquid finishing processes.

What colors and textures are available?

There is an endless variety of colors and textures available from many manufacturers.  There are
gloss range options, color options, and texture options to select from when deciding what is right
for your job.  Custom colors can be made.  Most manufacturers offer a multitude of colors that are
readily available.  The most common textured powders available are wrinkles, hammer tones, and
minitext.  These powders are not only for cosmetic uses, but also are the best choice for parts that
will get some abuse or have minor imperfections or blemishes.

Can a single item receive multiple colors of powder coating?

By painting one color at a time and masking off the places that are different colors, we can easily
give the part multiple colors.
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