Powder Coating - How It’s Done
Powder coating is an advanced method of applying an attractive and protective finish to a wide range of materials and products. We are surrounded by items that are powder coated. For example, patio furniture, garden tools, mail boxes, kitchen appliances, automotive trim, and wire closet shelving are just a few of many! Powder coating is an advanced, simple way of spray-painting a very fine, dry plastic powder paint onto a metal surface. The powder used for the process is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin, which is sprayed onto a surface to be coated. As the powder paint cloud gently leaves the front of the spray gun, it is charged with static electricity. The charge attracts the powder paint to the part that requires coating. The part is then placed in an oven. The powder paint gels and cures into a beautiful and durable finish. The result is a uniform, durable, high-quality, and attractive finish.

What Are Its Advantages?
Powder coating is more durable. It gives you the most economical, longest-lasting, and most color-durable quality finishes available. Powder coated surfaces are more resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and wearing than other finishes. Color selection is virtually unlimited with high and low gloss, metallic, and clear finishes available. Colors stay bright and vibrant longer. Texture selections range from smooth matte surfaces to a wrinkled finish, and rough textures designed for hiding surface imperfections.

Protects the Environment
Powder coating is also highly protective of our environment. While liquid finishes contain solvents which have pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), powder coating contains no solvents and releases negligible amounts, if any, of VOCs into the atmosphere. In addition, most powder coating overspray that does not adhere to the part can be retrieved and reused, virtually eliminating the waste commonly found in liquid finishing processes.

Thousands of products and parts are powder coated
Automotive The automotive industry uses powder coating on wheels, bumpers, hubcaps, door handles, decorative trim and accent parts, truck beds, tool boxes, radiators and numerous engine parts. A clean powder topcoat has been developed to protect auto bodies. BMW and Volvo are using it on their new model cars, and GM, Ford, and Chrysler have formed a consortium to test this technique on their production lines.

Architecture/Building
The architectural and building market powder coats aluminum extrusions used on frames for windows and doors and modular furniture. Powder coating is a perfect application for entry gates and handrails. Many highway and building projects use powder coating on light poles, guard rails, signs, posts, and fencing. And let’s not forget signage. We can powder coat your sign - it will last forever.

Appliances
The appliance industry benefits from powder coating on front and side panels of ranges and refrigerators, washer tops and lids, dryer drums, air-conditioner cabinets, water heaters, dishwasher racks, and cavities of microwave ovens. Powder coating has also replaced porcelain enamel on many washer and dryer parts.

Everyday Products
There are also innumerable everyday uses for powder coated products such as lighting fixtures, antennas, and electrical components. Farmers have powder coated tractors and farm equipment. Fitness buffs use golf clubs and golf carts, ski poles and bindings, snowmobiles, bicycles, and exercise equipment that are powder coated. Shop owners have powder coated display racks, shelves, store fixtures, and vending machines. Office workers use metal furniture, computer cabinets that are powder coated. Parents have powder coated baby strollers, cribs, metal toys, and wagons. And home owners have lawn mowers, snowblowers, barbecue grills, patio furniture, garden tools, electronic components, bathroom scales, tool boxes, and fire extinguishers which benefit from a powder coated finish.

Non-Metal Products
While powder coating started as an alternative to finishing metal products only, the development of powder that can be cured at lower temperatures has allowed powder coating to expand to non-metal surfaces such as ceramics and some wood and plastic applications. Powder coating on wood is growing by leaps and bounds. Manufacturers of home-office furniture, kitchen cabinets, children's furniture, and outdoor grill tables are discovering that powder coating makes these "hard use" products retain their new look much longer.