Fabricating metal and creating durable, resilient products for the commercial landscape comes with its fair share of challenges. Not only do industry leaders need to plan how they’re going to cut, weld, grind, and polish each component, but they also need to think about the finish too.
Powder coating is a lucrative and versatile solution for improving the aesthetic appearance of metal products, while also enhancing their longevity. This innovative dry finishing process involves using an electric charge to fuse a pigment to the surface of a metallic item. The product is then cured to achieve a smooth, tough finish.
The powder coating process provides materials with an extra layer of protection against the elements, while also allowing manufacturers to customize items to the needs of their target audience. For businesses in search of efficient ways to cost-effectively deliver exceptional results, powder coating offers a variety of benefits. Let’s look at some of the primary advantages.
The Key Benefits of Powder Coating
Powder coating is a unique approach to product finishing, as it has no liquid carrier, allowing users to produce thicker, more durable coatings, without running or sagging.
Some of the most significant benefits of powder coating include:
Increased Durability
Powder coatings are naturally more resistant to chipping, scratching and other forms of wear, due to a number of factors. The dry powder can be applied in much thicker layers than conventional liquid coatings, to reduce the risk of deterioration, and undergoes extensive curing processes to ensure longevity. Companies can even utilize different powder coating methods for specific products.
Epoxies, for instance, provide excellent corrosion resistance against oils and chemicals, while polyesters withstand UV exposure and the elements outdoors. There are also hybrids of these products which can provide a range of combined benefits. Powders are designed to maximize flexibility, enhance end coverage, and reduce the Faraday cage effect of static charges.
The durability of the powder coat finishes have made them a go-to solution for outdoor furniture manufacturers, as well as automotive companies, industrial brands, and agricultural equipment companies. While fading and general deterioration is often a common concern with paint, powder coating maintains its appearance for years, while protecting the material underneath from damage caused by exposure to moisture and other elements.
Cost-Effective Production
Leading manufacturers want to produce the highest quality of products for their customers, while also adhering to strict budgetary requirements. Powder coating allows business leaders to keep costs low on an already expensive metal fabrication project, without compromising on exceptional results. Typically, this process requires a lot less material than paint, and is faster to apply than other materials, reducing the need for longer workflows.
With powder coating, professionals don’t have to wait for wet paint to dry before applying a second, unlike liquid paint. Coats can be sprayed onto surfaces quickly and efficiently, without the need for complex brushing and scraping. Additionally, the curing process is often extremely straightforward.
Companies working with a powder coating professional can even hand the prep work over to their chosen company, reducing the amount of initial work that goes into preparing a surface. In addition to a rapid application process, most powder bases have a great shelf life, which means items can be stored and used for years without needing additional touch-ups.
Eco-Friendly Processes
As consumers around the world become increasingly concerned with sustainable practices, powder coating is gaining attention as an eco-friendly finishing process. The powder coating process doesn’t require the use of solvents, like traditional liquid paints. Additionally, the materials used don’t contain any heavy metals which can contribute to environmental issues.
Our powder coating service creates no harmful emissions, and eliminates the use of volatile organic compounds, which can be dangerous to the atmosphere and increase pollution levels. Additionally, because powder coating allows companies to finish their finishing process with fewer materials, there is less waste to accommodate for.
Powder coating doesn’t create hazardous air environments, or seep into waste water the same as standard paints and coverings. It allows business leaders to maintain eco-friendly and sustainable practices, which lower their carbon footprint and improve their reputation.
Aesthetics and Versatility
As mentioned above, powder coating is a highly versatile solution for metal fabrication. It can be used on a range of metal products, from aluminum to stainless steel and brass. Some powder coating materials can also be applied to non-metal materials. The substances can be applied to products in a range of thicknesses, textures, finishes, and colors which are not easily accessible through standard paint.
For instance, in the automotive market, companies can create cars with custom paint jobs using powder coating, which make the surface of the vehicle look two-toned or metallic. Music industry companies and product designers use powder coating to create unique backdrops, products, and accessories, in a variety of colors.
Powder coating materials can also be formulated to address specific needs, with various protective and decorative characteristics. Finishes range from flat, satin, or glossy designs, to metallic, clear, iridescent, and even sparkling options. There are even textured coatings which can help to hide imperfections in the surface of a metal that may present themselves during the metal fabrication process, such as scratches or dimples.
Is Powder Coating Right for You?
Powder coating is a highly versatile solution for transforming the finish of a wide range of metallic products. It can be used in a huge selection of use cases, and offers exceptional flexibility when it comes to color, pattern, and texture choices. Additionally, compared to other painting options, powder coating is more environmentally friendly and cost effective than virtually any traditional method.
It eliminates the challenges associated with VOCs and emissions, and enables companies to deliver exceptional results, without spending a fortune on wasted materials. If you’d like to learn more about what powder coating could do for your business, then reach out to our team today. You can request a quote for an insight into how we can help you streamline your powder coating strategy.