Absolute Powder Coating

Powder coating is just like liquid paint, only better.  

While powder coating is more economical and environmentally-friendly than traditional liquid paint, it has the same range of colors and finishes as its rival.

Additionally, depending on what’s being powder-coated, you can choose a finish that will protect your objects over a long time. Powder coating finishes includes anti-graffiti glosses, that prevent inks and other paints from sticking to it, and heat resistant styles that protect objects frequently exposed to high temperatures. Powder coating are prized for their durability over the long term, in terms of retaining their original color tones and resisting nicks, scratches and other abrasions.

  

What type of powder coating should I choose? 

Powder coatings are available in four basic types, each offering different performance attributes.  

• Epoxy for the best corrosion protection.  
• Hybrid(s) typically offer the best chemical and solvent resistance.  
• Polyurethane offers flexibility and hardness suited for moving parts.  
• Polyester for the highest exterior stability and performance. 

 The type of powder coating finish that’s best for any project varies on the object and materials chosen.  

Learn more about the wide range of textures and colors of powder coating we have available. 

What can you powder coat?  Well, pretty much anything, as long as it can withstand high temperatures. 

What Can Be Powder Coated?  

Typically, any metal object that can hold the electrostatic charge needed to affix the sprayed powder and can tolerate the high heat levels of the curing process. Mild steel, galvanized and electroplated steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and most other steel alloys can be powder coated. 

Powder coating is adaptable and can be applied to materials ranging from metal to wood to glass and plastics. You’ll find powder coatings on home appliances like kitchen mixers and gas ranges, on automotive products like bodies and wheels, and outdoor home features like doors, lamp posts, statues, fences and gates, and even fountains.  

The powder coating process, while durable and cost-effective, requires baking at high temperatures to set the paint. Therefore, rubber and other materials that can melt, are not ideal for powder coating. That said, there is a whole world full of materials in and out of the home that are ideal for powder coating.  

Learn more about our powder coating services. 

Before anything can be powder-coated, it must be sandblasted. Sandblasting is one of the most effective ways to shape, strip, or smooth a surface of any foreign materials. It’s similar to rubbing something down with sandpaper, but provides a more even surface, including in the nooks and crannies. 

Sandblasting is like a high-octane sandpaper. A sandblasting setup usually consists of three different parts: the abrasive itself, an air compressor, and a blaster nozzle. It uses compressed air to send grit and sand towards an object to help remove oil, rust, and old paint. Sandblasting particles range from walnuts to factory-produced steel bits. The shape and style of the sandblast particles will vary based upon the size and material of the object being blasted. 

After sandblasting, the resulting object is left smooth and clean of any human or factory residue. 

Sandblasting is the first step to the powder coating process, because it ensures an even surface for paint to cling to. Powder coatings are usually applied right away after sandblasting to prevent rust or other residues from re-attaching themselves to the object. 

Learn more about our powder coating services. 

Powder coating is the application of an organic powder to metal using electrostatic attraction. The powder is then heat cured to a smooth hard finish. Let’s take a quick look at how the powder coating process works.

Sandblasting

First up, the product that is to be powder coated needs to be sandblasted. Sandblasting helps remove any scale, oil, or rust that is often found on new steel. If the object is being repainted, sandblasting helps remove any old coatings or paint. Sandblasting also creates a profile in the metal surface that the powder will adhere to when it flows out in the oven.  

Applying the Powder

Following sandblasting, the dry solid powder is applied using an electrostatic spray gun. The gun adds a positive charge to the powder particles, which attracts them to the negatively grounded object being sprayed. The electrostatic charge of the particles to the object helps minimize overspray, preventing uneven buildup, and leaving a smooth and even finish.

Baking the Object

Finally, the product is baked in an oven.  At the manufacturer’s desired temperature and time for final cure ensure the powder coat flows out into a decorative, durable finish.

Is corrosion a fact of life for all things metal? It doesn’t have to be.

Corrosion is the deterioration of metal caused by a chemical reaction of metal with its environment. Exposure to various climates can also lead to corrosion. All metals can corrode, especially if the metals in question are not protected.

But corrosion can be stopped or prevented, and there are many ways to do this.

Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibitors are one of the ways to prevent metal corrosion. They work by attaching themselves to the surface of the metal and forming a protective film. One of the benefits of corrosion inhibitors is that they can be applied to help counter current corrosion.

Coatings

Powder coating has been shown in studies to inhibit corrosion more than liquid paint. Powder coating metal helps create a homogenous, thoroughly-covered surface. This evenly covered surface helps prevent the metal from interacting with other metals and the immediate environment. This is a great way to stop corrosion and prevent it from happening in the future. Coatings are typically grouped by the type of polymer used.

Powder coating, which is safer for the environment than traditional liquid paint, can be applied across a range of thicknesses. Coating thickness is often used as a metric for creating a barrier with the metal to help prevent corrosion. Powder coating is resistant to corrosion and more durable than liquid paints. The high-quality finish means that powder coating can withstand conditions that cause breakdowns in liquid paints.