Powder over Liquid?
Choosing a finished surface coat for your project can be a daunting task. There are many different factors that will determine what option is right for you, though there are two primary concerns:
1) What type of material is your project made of?
Though different types of metals may be the first thing that comes to mind, plastics, glass, and even wood may all be able to be powder coated. Give us a call if you have a unique item that you are curious about and we would be glad to help make a recommendation.
2) Will it need addtional surface preperation before a finish coat is applied?
There are many different parts that can go straight from cleaning to finish coat. Metal surfaces that need additional body work or the use of body fillers may not be able to be powder coated. If your surface can be repaired by welding, then you're in luck. Our fabrication shop employs 4 full time welders to take care of anything your project may need.
Benifits of Powder Coating
1) Durability
Unlike wet based paint applications, powder coating is baked onto the painted surface at over 400 degrees. In the process the powder hardens and creates a chip, sctach, and impact resistance surface able to take years of abuse,with out showing signs of aging.
2) Consistancy
Because the powder goes on dry, the risk of sagging or creating a "run" in the part is virtually eliminated. While being applied the powder is also elctrostatically charged. This naturally draws the powder to the part, and will even pull powder into cracks and crevices that you wouldn't be able to get to with a liquid based application.
3) Thickness
A single layer of powder coating is 4 to 10 times thicker than traditional liquid paint. Powder is applied at a thickness between 2 to 6 mills, sometimes even thicker, and a layer of liquid paint at a thickness between .5 tp 1 mills.
4) Speed
With most liquid based applications there are serveral different steps in order for you to get to finished product. Primer, Base coat, and Clear coat, just to name a few, and each of these may take multiple coats. Powder coating can be applied directly to the surface, no primer needed, and in ONE coat not only shows a rich, vibrant color, but can be applied with many different gloss levels depending on the desired sheen you are looking for.
5) Environmentally Friendly
The dry powder used to powder coat a surface contains no liquid solvent binder, and thus emit ZERO, or near zero, volitile organic compounds or VOC's. This means that painting a surface with a powder instead of liquid is not only safer for our employees, but better for the environment as well.
