An object is painted to make it more appealing or attractive. The paint or coating also serves as a protective layer to prevent rust and corrosion.
One of the most durable types of painting finish or coating is powder coating. This involves spraying the object with powder, and then curing it inside an oven. In Utah, the process of metal powder coating for cars adds class to the vehicles.
What is powder coating?
Powder coating is a procedure that involves the addition of a dry coat into a surface as an alternative to the use of liquid components like solvent and paint. The powder consists of various ingredients mixed and made into a solid mass that is granulated into a fine powder consistency.
The following metals can be powder coated:
- Brass
- Titanium
- Aluminum
- Bronze
- Copper
- Steel
- Stainless
- Galvanized
- Anodized
- E-coat
How does it work?
The powder is applied evenly to any surface that requires coating. It is electrostatically charged. The moment the powder is put in place, the newly coated portion is cured in an oven. Here, the powder melts and clings to the surface, resulting in a smooth and hard finish.
What are its advantages?
- Cost-Effective – The whole process yields very minimal waste. There are great savings involved with the entire curing process.
- Durable – Once cured, the powder coat adheres to the surface, creating a protective finish that is tougher than traditional paint. This does not mean that powder coating is the most durable application in the market, though.
- Eco-Friendly – The powder used never adheres to the surface that is coated and may be gathered and re-used. This leads to a very little amount of waste. As the entire process is done in a sealed area, there is very little to no risk of any pollution in the air. The entire coating process is very sustainable.
What are its challenges?
- Initial Capital Outlay – Powder coating can spell huge savings in the long run. However, the initial capital outlay can be substantial. Operators are constrained to create a special area and purchase expensive oven to perform powder coating.
- Thickness – Powder coating is ideal for thick finishes, but it is incapable of creating a thin finishing. Some projects need coating build-up of fewer than 5-6 mils to utilize the entire coating process. In line with this, powder coating may be unable to procure a smooth finish.
- Changes in Color – As many powder particles are often gathered and re-used, there is a high probability of contamination. This makes color matching quite challenging.
Powder coating offers a lot of advantages over the traditional liquid finishes. The materials are cost-effective and less labor-intensive, making it a popular choice. The quality of finish offered is very durable and gives a high resistance to heat, extreme weather, and corrosion. Moreover, it is eco-friendly, making it a highly sustainable finishing process.
But when powder coating a surface, you have to ensure it is clean. Like any other products, it has its fair share of disadvantages. But when you weigh all the pros and cons, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, making powder coating a great choice for many industries.