Powder coating is the application of paint in the form of tiny dry particles.   Unlike traditional wet spray painting methods, we simply use a clean and efficient electrostatic powder coating process.  This process is generally less prone to mistakes than wet spray.  Further, powder coating does not involve the use of harmful chemicals, so it is more environmentally friendly.

The parts to be painted are given an electrostatic charge that is opposite to the charge given the powder. As the paint powder is sprayed onto these charged parts, the powder particles are naturally drawn towards this opposite charge. This process yields parts that are uniformly coated with a minimum expenditure of powder, which translates to a superior coating for less money than traditional wet spray methods. After the powder is initially applied, the parts are baked at specific temperatures in our ovens.  Inside the oven, the paint powder instantly turns from its solid powdered phase to liquid phase and finally cures into a solid phase. At the end of the process, there will be a durable plastic sheet that is bonded directly to the metal.

Relative to wet spray, the paint dries very quickly. The parts can be prepared for delivery as soon as they come out of the oven and cool down.

Two factors are involved in making the powder stick.   First, each part is cleaned and dried on our washing line.   This removes grease, dirt and anything else that might interfere with the painting process.

When the part has been cleaned and is ready to be painted, we transport it to the production floor.  The powder is charged via an electrostatic process, while the part is attached to a ground wire.  This causes the powder to cling to the metal throughout the baking process.

After the parts are coated with powder, it is crucial to properly bake them within a proper temperature range.  The heat in the oven will cause the powder to melt and form a plastic sheet around the part.  At this point, the powder bonds not only to itself but to the part.  This process gives the paint its increased durability and professional finish.

If the parts are not baked properly, the powder will not bond properly.   This creates a weakness in the powder itself, which can make the parts vulnerable to chipping.

We ensure that every part receives the proper attention.  The temperature of the ovens are carefully regulated to keep the bonding process at its maximum level of efficiency and effectivity.

One of the best features of powder coating is how incredibly durable and strong the resulting finish is.  It stands up against the toughest conditions, keeping its original polished look. There are many types of powder, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Indoor powders are resistant to chipping, scratching, abrasion and other daily wear and tear.  They come in a variety of special mixtures, providing a custom balance between maximum durability and many unique textured looks.

Outdoor powders take this durability one step further, since they must be formulated to withstand the elements.  They generally provide rust inhibiting qualities. And, as a rule, they provide resistance against color fading that can occur when a finish is subjected to constant exposure to the sun's uv rays. Thus, powder coating protects the parts intended appearance and feel.   Such powders are used on products like automotive parts and outdoor equipment.

When deciding on which powder is optimal for your use, take into account the object that you intend to paint and the conditions that it will be subjected to.   Be sure to consider all such factors so that the end result of the finished part will be optimal.

Virtually any variation of color on the spectrum can be found in powder form.  Keep in mind, however, that not all powders are alike.  With our experience of the brands and types of powder available, we can help you achieve the best color matching possible.

If you already have a color in mind, bring it in so that we can match it as closely as we can without sacrificing quality.   Chances are, we'll have more than one option for you to choose from.

No.  Some colors are more expensive due to their availability or simply because of the supplier.  Stock colors are naturally less expensive than powder that must be special-ordered or powders that are hard to locate.  Some other powders are higher-priced simply because of their properties, such as textured or luminescent powders.

Amazingly, the cost of the powder represents only a small part of the total cost of the powder coating process.  Most of the cost can be attributed to the labor of setup and processing of the parts, which varies depending on the circumstances required to process each individual part.

Yes.  A constantly increasing variety of textured and wrinkled finishes are available.  The powder coating process allows us to apply these specialty finishes with no extra work. Since the labor cost remains the same, you may feel compelled to choose a specialty finish to help distinguish your products over your competitors' flat-finished products.

Not only can we give parts texture, but we also have the ability to create veins.   Veins are streaks of alternate colors that appear throughout the part, which adds a professional look and a deeper dimension to the part.

With powder coating, there are many application possibilities.

No.  There are many materials that simply would not survive the high temperatures involved in the powder coating process.  Each part must be baked after it has been painted, which exposes it to temperatures in excess of 300 degrees.  Wood, plastic, rubber and many other such materials would melt or burn away.  Because of this, the part should be constructed with electrically conductive metal.

Consequently, if your part has rubber footings or plastic wheels, you should avoid assembling them onto the part that you ship to us for powder coating, as we cannot guarantee the integrity of such materials.

Another limitation is related to the size of the parts that our ovens can accommodate. We have over 6 ovens that range from (6'W x 6'D x 10'H) to (12'W x 24'D x 8'H).  Your parts must be small enough to fit within these ovens.  We also have a fully automated line system for small parts that are no larger than 4.7' x 1.5'.

Powder coating is justifiably superior to wet spray in so many ways.  If your part is capable of being powder coated, there is really no reason why you would be compelled to choose otherwise.   It's generally less expensive because the process is quicker.

Powder coating is not subject to the extra time it takes to set up and break down from a wet spray project.  Further, the thermal bonding process makes for a much more durable finish than wet spray.  Powder coating is also more environmentally friendly than wet spray because it does not involve the potentially harmful chemicals used in a wet spray project.

As mentioned above, wet spray involves the use of chemicals that can be potentially hazardous to people and the environment if not handled properly.  Powder coating uses an air gun to blow away misapplied powder rather than resort to the chemical thinners that wet spray requires to clean up or fix application errors.

Powder offers a wider variety of colors and textures.  The powder can be engineered to wrinkle or create veins of different colors throughout the paint coat when baked.  Wet spray is more limited in what it can produce, while the possibilities with powder are endless.

And finally, powder is more durable and weather resistant than wet spray could ever be.  When we bake out the parts, the powder melts, forming a seamless bond around the parts.  This bonding process creates a virtually unbreakable sheet of plastic upon the surface of the parts.

Of course, there are a few things that cannot be powder coated.  Wood, plastic or rubber can melt or burn away in the extreme heat of the ovens.  Further, these types of material will not hold an electrostatic charge, and thus, cannot be coated.  Conseqently, these type of parts are still good candidates for wet spray.  Visit our wet spray finishing division at Coatings Plus.com

We clean the parts that we receive with our automated washing system.  This removes foreign elements that may interfere with the painting process.   Things such as grease and dirt contaminate the paint and weaken the bond between the powder and the metal.

Corrosion of the substrate can ruin the paint job well after the part has been returned to the customer. It literally eats away at the paint, causing it to chip and fall off.   Most rust can only be removed with sandblasting equipment or by hand. There is an extra charge for this type of additional operation.

Irregardless, you should endeavor to ship us parts that are not contaminated with rust, as this is the correct way to ensure quality.   As for grease and other such elements, these are easily removed with our washing system.

Yes.  But if there is an excessive build-up of paint, we will be unable to bring a static charge to the metal.   Because of this, most parts require stripping or sandblasting to remove old paint.  In order to ensure quality, we recommend that only freshly manufactured metals are sent in.

While it is possible to remove wet spray from parts prior to coating, the correct way to ensure quality is to ship us cleanly manufactured metal parts.

However, it is sometimes possible to paint right over the old layer, but only if we can get an electrostatic charge through the paint and to the base metal itself.

Each part poses different challenges.  We cannot determine what work will be involved until we have seen the part and made a careful analysis.

That is completely up to you.  There may be an extra fee if we have to sandblast the parts ourselves.  Some parts may not even require this extra level of attention.  The best course of action would be to ask us before you perform any preparation to the part.  We will be delighted to work with you to arrive at the coating solution that is best suited to your needs.

Yes.  By painting one color at a time and masking off the places that are different colors, we can easily give the part multiple colors.   However, if the part can be dismantled into smaller pieces, it would make painting it alternate colors a much more practical task. And, the overall quality will be much more consistent than masking.

Yes.  We can mask off areas that do not need paint.  This keeps the powder from adhering in that area.   In many cases, we place rubber caps over or inside threaded holes and extensions.   We render this added service at no extra cost to you.

We do, depending on the cause of the reject.   If you receive the parts and reject them due to a paint issue that was caused by us, we will repaint.   Parts that are too light, too heavy, chipped, scratched or damaged upon your receipt can be replaced at no charge.   However, if a painted part is brought back months later to be reworked, there will be a charge.  Discrepant parts will only be repainted if we were notified immediately upon your receipt.   Rough handling, improper storage and poor condition of raw parts can cause rejects that we cannot be responsible for.

Yes.  Small and/or short-term jobs are handled with the same care and level of service as any other job.  Consequently, there are no extra fees or charges for doing small personal jobs.   Each customer holds equal importance to our business.

Yes.  Our state-of-the-art automated line allows us to run most large quantity jobs faster and more efficiently than ever before.   If the parts are too large for the line, we will still complete the job with equal care and an unsurpassed level of quality.

Even large quantities of tiny parts will receive the attention and high quality of workmanship that they deserve.

We strive to deliver the service that you require when you want it; it's our policy. If it seems as though we won't be able to meet the deadline, we will contact you well ahead of time.  Under normal circumstances, we get things done correctly and on time.  During our busier seasons, we open up the second and third shifts to cover volume spikes.  Getting your parts done right and on time is always our top priority.

Yes.  For a small delivery fee, we would be more than happy to deliver your parts.  We stand by our work and would rather help out than force you to contact a more expensive delivery company.   Our professional drivers will arrive on time and handle all products with extreme care.

As long as the error rests on our shoulders we will gladly repaint the parts and do whatever we can to address the problem and satisfy your needs. Discrepant parts detected upon delivery must be reported to us immediately.  We will not charge you to correct our own mistakes.