The Pros of Powder Coating Vehicle Wheels
Across the UK, car enthusiasts and auto body manufacturers spend hundreds of pounds looking for new ways to improve a vehicle’s aesthetic. One of the easiest ways to elevate a car’s exterior is to add colour to the wheels that is hard-wearing, robust and stand out. Powder coating car wheels can not only give them a better aesthetic, it offers then an extra level of protection when compared to other methods. Read on for more pros of powder coating vehicle wheels!
Added Durability
The wheels of a car have a lot to deal with and they are one of the most exposed parts of a vehicle. Any dirt and debris that comes into contact with a vehicle usually sticks here first, and the added heat from the brakes and friction against the road means it can stick quite quickly to otherwise unblemished wheels. Traditional paint jobs on rims may look nice, but they create a porous surface that attracts dirt and stains fast. Powder coating, on the other hand, forms a rigid layer across the wheel surface that will minimise staining and dirt fusion.
Boosted Aesthetics
A typical paint job goes on smooth when applied and looks great at first, but this only lasts for a limited amount of time. Chips, cracks and marks are all very common issues with painted wheels because of the thin layering and weak bonding of most wet paints, but with powder coated items, they look great when covered and stay looking that way for up to three times longer than a routine paint job. The powder is applied using an electrostatic charge, making the bond between metal and colour much stronger, more robust and more resilient to damage.
For more information about our powder coating capabilities, get in touch with us today on 01282 459 111.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
The Three P’s of Powder Coating
Powder coating is the cornerstone of colouring technology in the manufacturing world, thanks to its extreme versatility, exceptional coverage and ease of application. Everything from cars, trains and planes through to tables, chairs and lamps can benefit from powder coating and the three P’s of powder coating will explain exactly how!
Precision
Unlike traditional paint jobs, powder coating takes advantage of an extremely technical application process. Rather than swiping the paint from a brush onto a piece of metal, powder coated items are first treated to an electrostatic treatment which makes the metal positively charged. The powder is sprayed through an electrostatic spray gun which gives the particles a negative charge, making the two attracted to one another and forging a bond that is hard to unstick. This allows for precision accuracy during the application process, resulting in better more even coverage.
Performance
Another benefit of the aforementioned technical application is that powder coating creates a hard shell on the outside of the product rather than a soft one like paint would. This makes the colour extremely hardwearing and gives the material an added layer of resistance. Compared to paint which can chip or scuff fairly easily, powder coating is much more robust and less susceptible to erosion, meaning a long-lasting colour job that is unlikely to wear or tear or have a reduction in colour saturation.
Protection
Thanks to this strong outer coating that powder coating provides, products are better protected than they would be if left untreated or painted. Not only does this help to elongate the lifetime of the product but also makes it of higher quality generally. A bonus of choosing to powder coat items is that the powder contains no harmful chemicals or solvents, unlike paint and so businesses will be helping to protect their product, their customers and the environment.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Tips for Powder Coating Maintenance
Although powder coating stands up time and time against wet paint applications, it still requires some care and maintenance to keep it in the best possible shape. Just how much attention a powder coated product requires will differ based on where the product spends the majority of time, the contaminants it encounters and the use of the product. Read on for tips and information on keeping your powder coated products in the best condition.
Limit Cleanings
Of course, everything requires cleaning but with a powder coated item, too much cleaning can cause excessive wear and premature erosion. In most cases, one clean at the start of each new season will be sufficient, focusing on all the hard to reach areas and nooks and crannies. In between these deeper cleans, a quick spray with antibacterial and wipe with a soft cloth will be sufficient enough to remove germs and dirt without affecting the coverage.
Use Gentle Agents
Whenever you do clean a powder coated item, it’s important to use a mild cleaning agent that isn’t overly acidic. Something like bleach for example, can chemically erode the powder, even if applied with a soft cloth and limited pressure is used. Instead, opt for something less intense in a soap format and try to avoid any cleaning agents with abrasives added to them.
Apply Protection
If your powder coated item is designed for use in high contact areas, you can protect them by applying a high-quality car wax to provide a barrier between high touch surfaces and the product. Like with a car, simply apply every three months, ensuring you get an even coverage. For outdoor items, opt for a wax that provides protection from UV rays to avoid fading.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Powder Coating – The Environmental Choice
When it comes to being futureproof, businesses must do everything they can to limit waste, reduce greenhouse gases and minimise their strain on the planet, with more and more customers citing this as a major factor in deciding which company to go with. Historically, when it comes to adding colour to manufacturing projects, wet paint and spray paint have been the go-to options, but neither of these is considerate towards the environment. Now, powder coating is paving the way forwards and can help businesses to boost their green credentials.
No VOCs
Typically, wet and spray paints have fumes that evaporate when the paint dries, which then leak what is known as Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs into the air, which can be corrosive and damaging to the atmosphere. Our powder coating in Burnley on the other hand uses free flowing powder that is dry when applied, meaning there are no harmful by-products during the application process.
Powder Gun
Our powder coating in Burnley makes use of the professional paint line guns, which has electrostatic spray guns that direct the powder onto the project. Rather than using a sealant or lacquer to ensure the powder stays in place, the electrostatic gun uses negatively charged ions to ensure full and even coverage, which is much more green on the environment and actually produces a high-quality finish, with no dripping to be seen.
Recycling
Of course, when applying powder there is always some that falls off or excess powder that doesn’t get used to the project at hand. However, rather than sweep this away, our powder coating team in Burnley recycle any powder that we can and use it in future projects, meaning there is less waste involved in the process.
For more information about our powder coating in Burnley, call our team on 01282 459 111.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Benefits of Switching to Powder Coated Metal
Powder coated metal has become the material of choice for businesses and manufacturers over the years, thanks to the numerous benefits it can offer to products.
Better Durability
Compared to uncoated metal, powder coated alternatives are much more durable and hardwearing. Components that are bare will succumb to rust and corrosion over time, where as powder coated items are corrosion proof, as long as the covering is kept in good condition. This is particularly important for commercial equipment, outdoor furniture or anything with moving parts as powder coating can prolong the lifespan and improve the overall usability of the finished product. What’s more when the manufacturer aims to sell this onto the end user, the product will be of a high quality which will boost customer retention and satisfaction and help solidify the brand image as reliable.
Improved Coverage
Before powder coating, many businesses relied on paint or chrome to coat metal and protect it, but as these options aren’t suitable for everything, some items couldn’t be protected at all. Using these 2 methods, the level of coverage obtained was extremely variable, particularly if a product was made of many components or had intricate designing. With powder coated metal, however, seamless coverage can be obtained quickly and efficiently using electrostatic spray deposition which adds an ionic charge to the powder particles, causing them to fuse to the metal in a uniform layer, which once cured is sold and flawless.
It is Greener
Businesses now are looking for ways to improve their carbon footprint and choosing powder coated metal over painted can help with that. Paint and spray typically contain corrosive ingredients which are damaging for the environment and can result in a lot of wasted product being thrown away. Powder coating on the other hand, contains just pigment and any excess powder can be recycled into new shade.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Which Industries use Finishing First UK Powder Coating?
Finishing First UK Ltd has a long history, operating for many many years, and continually delivers the best results to a number of clients in a number of industries. Since we began all those years ago the technology behind the process has advanced, meaning we are now able to offer full professional powder coating services.
Industries Covered
Over the years we have catered to numerous industries from our powder coating base in Burnley, Lancashire. We are proud to deliver the highest quality of results, and never less.
Some of the industries that have taken advantage of our powder coating services include:
- Agriculture (Farming Machinery)
- Architecture
- Airports (Luggage Systems)
- Chemical Industry
- Construction Industry
- Retail (Point of Sale & Displays)
- Refrigeration Industry
- Motor Industry
- Staging / Entertainment
- Sheetmetal Industry
- Machine Industry (Accessories)
- Medical Industry (Accessories)
If your industry is not listed, do not worry! There is a great chance we could help you, simply get in contact to enquire.
Why Finishing First UK Ltd
As is often the case, experience speaks for itself but coupled with ours is the professional powder coating system, which works to streamline the process. Our fully professional system allows for a less wasteful, more versatile, and time efficient process, making our services more eco-friendly and productive than ever.
Our process applies a protective layer to your products which is durable and known to last, taking care of your wallet in the long run.
Our fully professional powder coating line can paint items up to 5.8m x 2.2m x 1.8m in size.
Unlike wet paint that usually takes a few days to dry, powder coating only takes around one hour to cure.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
4 Reasons Why Powder Coating Beats Paint
Whichever industry you are apart of, getting a high-quality finish to your products is often key to meeting demands. To get the long-lasting and durable finish desired, more and more people are turning to professional powder coating over traditional painting methods. With significant advantages to the process, we are proud to be leading the way at Finishing First UK Ltd, offering our clients superior quality and excellent customer service with each project we undertake. Outlined here are the 4 key benefits to powder coating.
1. Performance and Durability
Once a product has been powder coated by us, you can be assured of its long-lasting lifespan. In comparison to paint, powder coated finishes are much more resistant to scratches, chips and general wear-and-tear. They can also withstand weather and chemical corrosion, making powder coating a must for surfaces that are exposed to harsh environments.
2. Cost-effectiveness
Due to efficient application using our high-tech powder production line, powder coating translates to much lower costs than wet painting. This is because our process is automated, and with less operational costs required, we can pass on those savings to our clients.
3. Environmentally friendly
One of the biggest concerns with wet paint is the high amount of harmful gases (VOCs) that it produces. Powder coating is much more environmentally friendly, thanks to cleaner materials and processes. Plus, with our state of the art paint recycling feature, overflow is reduced and our waste is drastically minimised.
4. Quality
In terms of aesthetics, powder coating is yet again superior to traditional wet paint. Our production line uses an electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) to adhere the powder to the metal item. This electrostatic charge hugely reduces the risk of uneven coatings that can be commonly seen with wet paint, with powder coated materials staying fresher and brighter for longer periods of time.
Finishing First UK Ltd
No matter your reasoning for needing our powder coating services, we guarantee to produce a high-quality and durable product every time. Should you wish to discuss your unique requirements with our experienced professionals, you can contact us on 01282 459 111 or email info@finishingfirstuk.co.uk.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Powder Coating Process
The Process
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a dry finishing method that has become hugely popular since its introduction in America in the 1960s. It now serves over 15% of the manufacturing finishing market and is used on an extremely wide array of items. More and more businesses are shifting to powder coating because of its high-quality, durable finish, maximised production, improved efficiencies and low environmental impact. Used for both embellishing and practical finishes, powder coatings variety of colours, textures and technological advancements have resulted in flawlessly performing items.
How Powder Coating Works
The Powder
Powder coatings are comprised of polymer resin systems, combined with curatives, pigments, levelling agents, flow moderators and other additives. These are mixed, cooled, and ground into a fine powder with a similar texture to flour.
Pre Application
Before an item can undergo the powder application it must first be treated to remove any debris and rust on the surface. At Finishing First UK Ltd, we use a phosphate wash, this effectively removes anything from the exterior whilst neutralising the PH and priming the metal for the powder.
The Application
A process called electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) is used to adhere the powder to the metal substrate. This uses a spray gun, which applies an electrostatic charge to the powder particles, which are then attracted to the grounded surface of the metal.
Curing
Once the powder has been applied, the item then undergoes the curing process. This is where the addition of heat causes the coating to ‘melt’ and chemically react to produce long molecular chains, resulting in high cross-link density. These chains are resistant to breakdown, which is what makes powder coated products so durable.
The Benefits of Powder Coating
Compared to traditional wet paint methods, powder coating can offer incredible benefits for the item:
Durable
Powder coating is resistant to chips, dings, corrosion and abrasions.
Versatile Applications
Can withstand extreme weather conditions and harsh environments and is used in a wide variety of industries.
Environmentally Friendly
Powder coating releases less hazardous waste and harmful gases (VOCs) into the atmosphere, and with our state of the art paint recycling feature, the paint overflow is reduced and our waste is drastically minimised.
Time Efficient
Without having to wait days for the paint to dry, items that are powder coated are ready to go immediately after the curing process.
To find out more about how we use this process to provide clients with exceptionally high-quality finished items, contact our team here.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Does Stainless Steel Rust?
Stainless steel is a well-known corrosion-resistant alloy and with good reason. However, there are some cases where it seems that the stainless steel rusts. Was it actually stainless steel, or was this part manufactured from an inferior metal? Let’s find out.
Is Stainless Steel Rust Proof?
Stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant, but it can rust under highly corrosive conditions. Stainless steel kitchenware is unlikely to rust when you use it only for cooking; clean it immediately afterward, and store it away from heat and humidity.
In jewelry, prolonged exposure to sweat and the oils in your skin might cause items to tarnish or rust if they also get nicked and dented. Here, it’s also essential to clean it regularly.
Why Stainless Steel Doesn’t Rust?
Well, it all has to do with the composition of the metal. Stainless steel is an alloy that is made up of iron and carbon with a few other trace elements mixed in. It’s this mixture that keeps stainless steel from rusting, as opposed to unprotected metals like wrought iron or mild steel.
To understand how stainless steel works, let me briefly explain to you the composition of this alloy.
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is a ferrous alloy of iron with carbon, copper, and chromium as its primary alloying materials. However, nickel and other trace elements could also be added. The chromium content in stainless steel is at least 11% but can be higher.
As the name suggests, stainless steel is resistant to stains in the form of rust and corrosion. This alloy is also completely recyclable and can be recovered entirely from construction sites. This durable metal doesn’t leak components when in contact with water. Thus its composition and physical attributes don’t change in wet environments.
Stainless steel is most often used in environments where high levels of hygiene are imperative, such as culinary and surgical applications.
What keeps stainless steel from rusting?
In short, it’s the high chrome content that keeps stainless steel from rusting. Here’s how that works:
Usually, steel and other ferrous alloys (metals containing iron) rust or corrode when they contact oxygen and moisture. In the case of stainless steel, chromium is more reactive than the other alloying elements. When in contact with oxygen, chromium reacts to form chromium oxide and an inert layer on the item’s surface. This layer acts as a protective barrier, preventing oxygen from reaching the alloy underneath.
When stainless steel gets scratched, nicked, or dented, this protective chromium oxide layer gets damaged, allowing oxygen to reach the layers underneath. Here, the protective chromium oxide layer gets restored again through another round of reactions with oxygen. In this sense, stainless steel is self-healing.
As you can see it is the alloying element that changes the property of the steel including the magnetic property of stainless steel.
To prevent stainless steel from rusting under normal usage conditions, it’s a good idea to clean it regularly. Wiping it down with mild detergent and a clean cloth would suffice. Be sure to dry it properly afterward. Scrubbing stainless steel with steel wool or steel wire could cause rust formation – more in this in the next section.
What grade of stainless steel will not rust?
Surgical-grade stainless steel is the most corrosion-resistant version of this alloy. This is 316 stainless steel, the second most commonly used stainless steel on the market. The most popular form of stainless steel is 304 stainless steel. These two alloys are identical, except that 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, enhancing its corrosion resistance. This form of stainless steel is suitable for use in marine and chloride-exposed environments, where the risk of corrosion is highest.
What Can Cause Stainless Steel to Rust?
Exposure to highly corrosive environments, such as seawater and other harsh chemicals, can cause stainless steel to rust. There are also cases where stainless steel rusts seemingly in the absence of these environments. Here’s why:
When the local chromium content in stainless steel is high enough to counteract the corrosive environment (i.e., greater than 11%), the stainless steel will not rust. When you scrub down a kitchen sink with steel wool, steel particles break off and remain in the sink. If these aren’t cleaned off and the surface dried thoroughly, the localized raw steel content increases, diluting the chromium content. In effect, in the spots where this wire contacts the sink, you have pockets of non-stainless steel. This exposes the iron in the alloy to oxygen attack, leading to pockets of rust forming.
Rust is a reaction between oxygen and iron, forming iron oxide. Iron oxide is less dense than iron, so it expands and spalls off. Basically, there isn’t enough space for all the iron oxide molecules to remain where they’re formed. When these molecules spall off, they expose a new layer of iron atoms to oxygen, in effect allowing the process to continue until some intervention occurs.
You can enhance the rust-resistant property by powder coating stainless steel that are exposed to harsh conditions.
How to Remove Rust from Stainless Steel?
It’s easy to clean rust off stainless steel and return the item to its pristine, stainless condition.
First, all the rust (iron oxide) should be cleaned off. Here, vigorous scrubbing with a wire brush would suffice. For small areas, you could use a sandpaper to remove the rust.
For larger areas, consider using a power tool like angle grinder with rust removal disc to get rid of stubborn rust.
Next, the area must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all traces of the rust-causing steel particles. A solvent wiped on with a clean cloth is usually the best method to go about this.
Finally keep your stainless steel jewelry, cookware, knifes, tools etc. clean and dry to stop is from rusting again.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.
Can You Powder Coat Aluminum?
Powder coating is a widely used application, protecting metals from corrosion and improving their aesthetic appeal. Can aluminum be powder coated? Is it necessary since aluminum is already corrosion resistant?
Can Aluminum Be Powder Coated?
Yes, aluminum can be powder coated. Some manufacturers warn that the powder coating process could harm the metal’s integrity, but this depends on the powder coating methods being used. When carried out correctly, powder coating will not harm aluminum, and the resultant finish will improve the part’s corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and aesthetic properties.
Why Powder Coat Aluminum?
Aluminum is a lightweight metal widely used in both aesthetic and functional applications. While aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant, some applications call for additional corrosion protection, achieved through powder coating. This process could also improve the metal’s wear resistance, change the color and surface finish, and create a reflective surface.
Aluminum Powder Coating Process
The powder coating process consists of three main parts: pretreatment, powder application, and curing. In this section, we break down each step and analyse essential factors that should be considered.
Pretreatment
During pretreatment, the part to be coated is cleaned in several stages to remove all dirt, grime, and impurities from the surface. This is an essential step since impurities could negatively affect the powder’s adhesion to the surface, ruining the outcome.
Power Washing
When encountering oxygen, a thin layer of aluminum oxide forms on the metal’s surface. For effective powder coating, this layer must be removed through power washing. This exposes the pure metal surface to be coated.
Aqueous Alkaline Cleaning
Next, the part would undergo aqueous alkaline cleaning. Here, the aluminum part is dipped in a solution containing between 2 and 5% sodium compounds. For effective cleaning, a soft-bristle brush is used to gently brush the surface, removing any impurities. This brush should have nylon bristles, not copper or steel since that could damage the surface.
Following this scrubbing, the part is rinsed using warm water or water under pressure. Next, it is dried thoroughly, preferably in a heated environment, ensuring that all excess water is removed from the surface.
Solvent Cleaning
Solvent cleaning follows, removing grease and oil from the part’s surface. Here, mineral spirits or similar cleaning chemicals are applied to the part using clean rags. Once properly wiped down, the part is rinsed again, using hot water or water under pressure, as before. The part is then dried in a heated environment, ensuring completely dry before commencing the next step.
Hand Cleaning
If any obvious dirt remains on the part, it can be cleaned by hand or by using a power tool. Again, the part should be rinsed and thoroughly dried before carrying out the next step.
Surface Preparation
Here, any remaining aluminum oxide is removed from the metal’s surface, and the surface is roughened to improve powder adhesion. To this end, one of two methods is generally used: sweep blasting and phosphate treatment.
Sweep Blasting
During sweep blasting, pressurized air is used to blast abrasive media at the metal’s surface. Aluminum or magnesium silicates are generally used, although various other abrasive media could be used.
Phosphate Treatment
During phosphate treatment, a phosphate solution is applied to the metal’s surface. This can be done through complete immersion, surface spraying, or soft bristle application. Aluminum reacts with this solution, converting the surface into crystalline phosphate coating, which improves powder coating adherence. The process requires between three and six minutes, after which the surface should be thoroughly rinsed with water and dried again. Powder coating should take place immediately after this to prevent any new dirt from attaching to the surface.
Powder Application
During powder coating, electrostatically charges powder particles are flung at the metal’s surface. The aluminum part to be coated is electrostatically grounded. This difference in charge creates attraction between the powder particles and the metal’s surface, allowing them to stick to the surface.
Curing
Once the desired coating thickness is achieved, curing takes place. Here, the part is heated to the desired curing temperature, usually between 350 and 400֯F (176 – 205֯C) for around 10 to 20 minutes. The curing temperature and duration depend on the powder used and the coating thickness.
Coating Thickness on Aluminum
Powder coating varies in thickness depending on the application. Smooth surface layers of between 2 and 4mm are typical. When applying powder coating layers thicker than this, you risk orange peel and pockmark effects. While this is generally not desired, some applications warrant this aesthetic sacrifice, given the extra coating thickness achieved.
Aluminum Powder Coating Colors
Powder coating is available in any color imaginable and in a variety of finishes. These include matt, gloss, satin, high-gloss, super matt, and textured. With the latest technological advances, color gradients are also available.
Does Powder Coating Weaken Aluminum?
While powder coating in itself doesn’t weaken aluminum, some pretreatment processes could. Sweep blasting, or sandblasting, could damage the metal’s surface, especially if the part in question is fragile. Some worry that the heat necessary for curing could damage the metal since aluminum anneals at far lower temperatures than stainless steel. This is unlikely, though, since aluminum anneals at 650֯F (343֯C), and powder coating curing generally requires a maximum of 400֯F (204֯C).
Powder Coating Aluminum vs. Anodising
Anodising is an electrochemical process used to improve aluminum’s corrosion resistance. To this end, it increases the aluminum oxide surface layer’s thickness. Anodised parts are easy to maintain through periodic cleaning with water and mild detergent.
Unlike other surface coatings, the anodised layer won’t peel or flake since it’s part of the metal and not just a coating. It is also impervious to sunlight and will thus not fade over time. However, the anodised layer is vulnerable to attack from acidic pollutants, common in urban areas.
Anodised coatings are translucent and are thus limited to matt or gloss finishes with no intended color variation. However, these finishes often vary in color between batches, causing unwanted color variation in architectural projects.
Powder coatings are available in various colors and finishes and are highly consistent between batches. Maintenance is simple – since powder coating is chemically resistant, it can be cleaned using industrial-grade chemicals. Dents and scuffs are also easily repaired using a liquid repair agent.
Both powder coating and anodising call for correct application. When misapplied, both methods are likely to produce poor surface finishes, with typical streaking and orange peel effect.
Aluminum Powder Coating vs. Paint
Powder coating and painting are the most commonly used surface protection for aluminum. Both are available in a variety of colors and finishes, and both are easily applied. That is where the similarity ends, however.
Powder coating is far thicker than paint. This means that powder coating offers more protection against environmental factors than paint does. It also has greater surface adhesion than paint, making it less likely to chip or flake.
Paint is inflexible. When the metal it’s painted onto vibrates or moves, tiny cracks form in the paint’s surface. This leads to chipping and flaking. Conversely, powder coating is flexible, allowing it to move with the metal. This flexibility makes it far less likely to chip or flake.
Powder coating’s flexibility allows it to absorb surface impacts, such as scratches, nicks, and dents, making it far more hard-wearing than paint.
Some types of paint offer a measure of corrosion resistance, but powder coating is inherently corrosion resistant. Here, again, it offers greater protection than paint.
Is It Better to Powder Coat or Paint Aluminum?
Powder coating outperforms paint in all aspects of surface protection. Since it is more hard-wearing and less likely to chip or flake, it also calls for far less maintenance and reapplication than paint.
Portfolio
Our Previous Projects
Want to see some of our recently completed projects including photos of the finished items? Click the button below to be take to our powder coating and wet paint specialist portfolio.
Get a Quote
Have A Project In Mind?
Get in contact with us today and talk to us about your project needs. We cover many different areas and industries providing high quality powder coating and wet paint services.
Professional Services
Powder Coating & Wet Paint Services
Find out more about our professional powder coating and wet paint services by clicking the button below. We pride ourselves on always producing high quality finishes for all our clients.