Frequently Asked Questions

Powder coating is a finishing process that is environmentally friendly, that uses no solvents, and produces a very tough, durable finish that is far superior to most paint.

There are a number of ways, but the most versatile is spraying a dry powder directly onto a product. The product is then put into a curing oven and held there while the powder is fused into a smooth coating.

Electrostatically. The product is hung from a line that is negatively charged and the powder is positively charged.

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. The condition of the parts should be considered when selecting a gloss range. Parts that have heavy grind marks would look better when painted with a flat, rather than a full gloss because the gloss magnifies the grind marks. Custom colors can be made but are expensive when ordered in small lots. Most manufacturers offer a multitude of colors that are readily available. Stock colors tend to be a little less expensive, then specialized colors. Wrinkles, hammer tones, and mini text are the most common textured powders available. 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.

We deal exclusively with metal however some ceramics and wood can be coated.

Yes. Powder coating contains no solvents and therefore emits negligible, if any, polluting volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) into the atmosphere. Exhaust air from the coating booth can be safely returned to the coating room, and less oven air is exhausted to the outside, making the powder coating process a safer and cleaner finishing alternative.

Pretreatment is critical for any paint process. The part must be cleaned well, so that the paint bonds to the surface. Any reputable paint shop will have a wash pretreatment consisting of dip tanks or a spray wash system. Parts should be treated with a zinc or iron phosphate conversion bath to promote adhesion.

Powder offers a more consistent product of gloss and finish, due to the fact that there are few methods of application and curing. Because of the chemical structure and cure process, powder produces a harder more durable finish, than liquid. Powder is formulated to be more solvent-resistant and abrasion tolerable than liquid products, plus it has increased adhesion properties over normal liquid paint. There is also an environmental issue when it comes in terms of solvent-based liquid products. Volatile organic compounds are known pollutants, and in some states are illegal to use. New EPA regulations are forcing more paint facilities to use VOC-compliant materials, so it just makes good sense to use a more environmentally friendly media like powder.

It is possible to recoat with powder. However, the best option is to remove the existing coating before attempting to recoat. This guarantees the best product. Steel parts can be burned off which will turn the existing finish into a fine ash. This ash can then be washed off, leaving a clean paint-ready part. Aluminum parts are a bigger challenge. Aluminum parts require a chemical stripper to remove an existing coating. Some parts are attacked by the stripper, leaving a pitted surface, or sandblasting may be needed to remove any residual paint films. This process proves to be very labor intensive, but it is done all the time.