Powder coating is a dry custom sheet metal finishing process used to apply a durable, protective layer of color and texture to metal surfaces.
The process involves electrostatically charging powder particles and then spraying them onto the surface to be coated. The coated object is then cured in an industrial oven, where the powder melts and forms a hard, smooth finish.
All Powder Coat & Screen offers premium Texas powder coating services to mitigate scratching, chipping, and deterioration. Here’s a closer look at our powder coating process as well as some insight into powder selection.
Parts that will undergo powder coating must be made from metal. The parts embark on a pretreatment process that includes washing with two different chemicals and rinsing in a tank. Then, the parts are hung on large racks using various-sized hooks and rolled into industrial ovens for drying and additional dirt removal. This process results in a clean, smooth surface ready for powder coating.
For parts with excessive dirt or rust, additional steps may be taken during the pretreatment process to ensure a clean surface. Parts may be wiped down with rags or sanded by hand before application. Some customers may even request sanding after the first baking session in the pretreatment process for an extra smooth finish.
If parts require masking or other techniques to ensure powder is not applied to certain areas, that process also takes place before the application stage of our powder coating service. Examples include caps on hardware pieces, plugs in threaded holes, or taped sections.
After the parts leave the industrial ovens and cool down, they move into the powder booth, where they are connected to cables to create an electric current to prepare for powder application. The powder, which holds a static electric charge, is fed from a bag through a hose into a gun and sprayed onto the electrified metal. Once the powder is applied evenly, the parts return to the industrial ovens for the next step in our Texas powder coating services.
The parts must be baked in the industrial ovens to melt, adhere, and harden the powder. The temperature ranges from 400-500 degrees Fahrenheit, and the time ranges from 15-30 minutes, depending on part size and metal thickness. For example, larger, thicker parts take longer to reach the required temperature for proper powder adherence. Once the parts are baked, they are unmasked, uncapped, and unplugged (if necessary), packaged, and shipped according to customer request.
Multiple color applications are more time-intensive because they require numerous baking cycles. The parts must be masked, powdered, and baked in stages to apply different colors. Let’s say a part needs to be powdered red and black. First, the area that’s supposed to be black is masked, and then the part is powdered red and baked in the industrial oven. Then, the red area is masked, a black powder is applied, and the part is baked again.
Applying a primer coat before the final powder coat takes more time, too. Customers may request this extra step for more stringent specifications or additional part protection.
When it comes to cleaning, our team can adapt the pretreatment process for oversized parts as needed. Our primary constraint for part size is our industrial oven capacity. All Powder Coat & Screen has two industrial ovens: one is 12’ x 10’, and the other is 10’ x 8’. The parts we powder coat must fit inside our industrial ovens to ensure a quality finish.
For parts that are too small to hang up, our team may employ creative solutions like wire wrapping. Though most parts generally come with a hole or a feature that allows for hanging, we can also get creative with parts that don’t have obvious hanging points, such as using threaded eye bits.
All Powder Coat & Screen mainly uses epoxy and polyester powders in our shop. Polyester powders are suited for outdoor use because they resist UV radiation. Epoxy powders are better for indoor use and offer excellent chemical resistance. We have a wide range of colors and textures available, including smooth, glossy, matte, and various degrees of textured finishes.
Powder coating has many advantages over wet paint, including a faster drying process with the help of industrial ovens. Request a quote for our premium Texas powder coating services today.
Click the button below, fill out the form, include a STEP file & PDF print and click Submit, or call us now at (972) 747-1231. Please note, a minimum order of $500 is required.
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