Powder Coating FAQ
Get quick answers to the Top 10 powder coating questions we’ve compiled from our customers over the decades. This includes key questions like how the process works, how much it costs, and how long it takes. Contact us if you can’t find your answer here.
Powder coating is an advanced method of applying a decorative and protective finish to a wide range of materials and products that are used by both industries and consumers.
The powder used for the process is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin, which is sprayed onto surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the electrically grounded surfaces until heated and fused into a smooth coating in a curing oven. The result is a uniform, durable, high quality and attractive finish.
Powder coating is often considered a superior alternative to liquid (wet spray) paint due to several key differences in performance and application:
- Dry Film Thickness (DFT): Powder coating typically achieves a final DFT that is 4 to 10 times thicker than traditional liquid spray paint, resulting in a more protective and robust surface layer.
- Durability and Resistance: The chemical composition makes cured powder coat physically harder than wet paint. This translates directly into significantly greater resistance against scratches, chips, and abrasion.
- Flexibility and Adhesion: Powder coat exhibits superior adhesion to the substrate and can withstand bending or flexing of the material without cracking or flaking, maintaining its integrity under stress.
- Corrosion Protection: When the appropriate pretreatment is used, the selection of a quality powder coat finish provides far greater corrosion resistance and longevity than conventional spray paint, particularly in harsh or outdoor environments.
Because of the advanced method with which powder coatings are applied, all types of powder coating provide a durable, uniform and attractive finish. All powder coatings are decorative and protective, and different formulations of powder coatings are available to provide extra protection from ultra-violet rays, corrosion, abrasion, and chemicals. Some types are even approved for use by the FDA in food grade applications.
Yes.
The longevity of powder-coated steel depends on multiple factors, including the type of coating, exposure conditions, and maintenance practices.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Applications: Indoor powder-coated components typically last 15 to 20 years, while outdoor applications, exposed to weather and sunlight, can last 5 to 10 years before requiring maintenance or recoating.
Cost varies on the powder to be used, condition of the part, size, and quantity.
Powder coat is usually done with an electrostatic gun in a powder booth. Fully cure in the oven at 400°F is 10-20 minutes (time varies).
First, we prep the part by either steam washing or sandblasting, then we apply the desired powder and bake it at 400°F.
Lead time depends on the quantity and the color to be used. Also it varies on the existing workload.
Yes. A minimum quantity is required.
