What is Powder Coating? Important Information on the Process and Benefits

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When manufacturers introduce a new product, they often give it a finish that sets it apart from every other product on the market. With so many products being introduced every year and competition being so fierce, it’s important to give your product that something special that makes it stand out from the sea of similar products. One way to do this is with a specialized finish that sets your product apart from all others. Thanks to powder coating and other types of coatings, you can add some oomph to your product without worrying about raw metals or chemicals leaching into your finished goods. What is powder coating? It’s one of the most popular ways to add style, strength, and protection to almost any type of metal or plastic surface. Let’s learn more about what is powder coating, its uses, and benefits.

What is Powder Coating?

Powder coating is a type of finish applied to metals and plastics. It’s also sometimes referred to as electrostatic spraying. The coating is a thick and durable finish that typically has excellent resistance to corrosion. It’s often used on machines and equipment that are in harsh environments. It’s also a popular finish for certain types of garden furniture, bicycles, and other items. When applied to metals, the powder is mixed with a powdered coating made of a mixture of solids, liquids, and a solvent. The mixture is heated, sprayed onto the surface of a piece of equipment or other items, and then baked. The baking process helps to cure the finish, forming a thick-coated finish that’s able to protect against scratches, corrosion, and other damage.

Benefits of Powder Coating

Powder coating is durable and offers an excellent level of protection against scratches, corrosion, and other damage. You can use it on a wide variety of types of metals and plastics, making it a cost-effective option for many different industries. As compared to other types of finishing, powder coating is thinner (which makes it easier to apply). It’s also more environmentally friendly and doesn’t require the use of harmful chemicals. Another benefit of powder coating is that it can be applied to both indoor and outdoor items. When applied to outdoor items, powder coating can help to protect your equipment from the sun and rain. There are a wide variety of colours available with powder coating, allowing you to find the perfect colour for your application. And, with the number of powder coating companies, you can find one that’s near you and can easily be integrated into your production.

Limitations of Powder Coating

Like many finishing processes, powder coating can be time consuming and costly. And, some items simply can’t be coated in this manner, so you’ll have to look for other options. Powder coating is more difficult to repair if damage does occur. The coating itself is thicker than other finishes, making it more difficult to repair any damage that does occur. Because of the thickness of the finish, it restricts the ability of the item to move. This is especially true if you’re coating items like hinges or other moving parts. You may need to do some re-engineering to ensure these parts work properly once the coating is applied. The thickness of the powder coating can also make it more challenging to attach items to the surface of the equipment or other items. You may need to use special fasteners or use a thicker material for nailing or screwing.

Who Can Benefit from Powder Coating?

Powder coating is used in many industries and is an excellent finish for machinery and equipment that come into contact with the elements. It’s also a popular finish for items that may need to be cleaned or sanitized (such as restaurant equipment). Some industries that can benefit from powder coating are: Agriculture - Equipment used in farming often experiences extreme weather conditions. So, it’s important to protect your equipment from the sun, rain, and snow. Food & Beverage - Equipment used in food production often comes into contact with high temperatures and other chemicals. Allowing these chemicals to come in contact with the metal can be dangerous. Transportation - Equipment used in the transportation industry (such as airplanes, trains, cars, etc.) also experiences extreme weather conditions. Healthcare - Equipment used in the healthcare industry can come into contact with blood, chemicals, and even bodily fluids. Allowing these to come in contact with metal can be dangerous. Industrial - Equipment used in the industrial industry often experiences extreme temperatures and other harsh conditions. So, it’s important to protect your equipment from corrosion and other damage.

What does powder coating cost?

The costs vary depending on the finish you choose, the type of equipment you’re coating, and the location where the coating is done. You can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a small piece of equipment. Larger pieces of equipment, such as a car or a boat, can cost thousands of dollars. If you’re coating small pieces of equipment, you may be able to find a company that will do it for a lower cost. Smaller companies may charge less due to the lower overhead costs. Since larger pieces of equipment can be more costly to finish (and take more man hours to finish), larger companies are more likely to charge more. While the cost varies, you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $10,000 per piece of equipment.

Conclusion

Powder coating is a great choice when you need an extra layer of protection for your equipment and other items. It’s durable and can resist scratching, corrosion, and other damage when applied properly. You can find powder coating companies near you and can choose from a variety of colours and finishes. The cost of powder coating varies depending on the size and type of equipment you’re coating.