faq

Powder coating is a method for finishing products through the application of tiny dry particles. Rather than applying the paint in a wet state, we simply use a modern, clean, and efficient electrostatic powder coating process that relies on the attraction between charged particles that are fused together. This process is generally less prone to mistakes than traditional wet spray. Powder coating does not require the use of harmful chemicals.

After the powder is initially applied, it is baked on in our oven. The coating then melts around the part. Unlike wet paint, powder cures very quickly and is ready to go as soon as it comes out of the oven and cools. There is no need to wait for re-coating, handling or packing. Back to top

2.) What makes powder "stick" to the part?

Two factors involved in making the powder stick. First each part is sandblasted. This removes any old finishes, dirt, and any contaminates that might hinder the powder coating process. It also etches the part for better adhesion of the powder. After the part has been sandblasted and is ready to be powdered, we transport it tot he powder coating room. 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. Back to top

3.) What does "baking the parts" mean?

After the parts are coated with powder, it is crucial to properly bake them. The heat in the oven will cause the powder to melt and form a protective sheet around the part. At this point, the powder bonds not only to itself but to the part as well. This process gives the coating its increased durability and professional look.

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

We see to it that every part receives the proper attention. The temperature of the oven is carefully regulated to keep the bonding process at its maximum level of efficiency. Back to top

4.) How durable is powder and what types of powder are there?

One of the best things about powder coating is how incredibly durable and strong powder is. It stands up against the toughest conditions, keeping its original polished look.

There are many types of powder, such as epoxy, hybrid, polyester, urethane, and tgic polyesters. Each has its own strength and weakness. Outdoor powders are meant to withstand rain, snow, heat, cold, and ultraviolet rays. They can also provide enduring rust inhibiting qualities, thus protecting the parts intended look and feel. Such powders are used on products like vehicle parts and outdoor equipment.

Indoor powders cater more to the conditions relating to indoor use. Chipping, scratching, and every day wear and tear are no threat to indoor powders. They come in a variety of special mixtures, providing a custom balance between maximum durability and many unique texturized looks. Back to top

5.) How many colors are there?

Virtually any variation of color on the spectrum can be found in powder form. Keep in mind, however, that not all brands of powder are alike. 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. Back to top

6.) Are all the colors the same price?

No. Some colors are more expensive due to their availability, ingredients, or simply because of the supplier. Stock colors are naturally less expensive than power that must be special-ordered or powders that are hard to locate. Some powders are more expensive simply because of their properties, such as textured powders, reds, yellows, candies, metallics, or glow in the dark 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. Back to top

7.) Can you implement textures?

Yes. A constantly increasing variety of textured surfaces and wrinkles are available. The powder coating process allows us to do this with no extra work, and this will leave you with a price that would be no larger than it would have cost to use a non-textured powder.

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

With powder coating, there are many application possibilities. Back to top

8.) Can you powder coat anything?

No. There are many materials that simply would not survive the extreme heat involved in the powder coating process. Each part must be baked out after it has been powdered, which exposes it to temperatures in excess of 400 degrees. Wood, plastic, rubber and many other such materials would melt or burn away. Powder coating wood and plastics is in the experimental stage and has been fairly successful thus far. It is still very new technology and uses large fluidized piping tanks, which are not readily available and somewhat expensive. Because of this, the part should be constructed of some sort of metal. Anything that can survive the temperatures of our bake oven could potentially be powder coated.

Consequently, if your part has rubber or plastic pieces, you should avoid having them on the part you give us to powder coat, as we cannot guarantee the outcome of such materials. Back to top

9.) Why should I choose powder coating over wet spray painting?

Powder coating is just "flat-out" 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 to powder coat a part once than have it painted several times during its life.

Powder coating is not subject to the extra time it takes to set up and break down from wet spray paint. The chemicals used in wet spray painting have to evaporate which can take up to weeks before a complete "cure" is attained. Powder coated parts are "cured" as soon as the part cools down. Further, the thermal bonding process used in powder coating makes for a much more durable finish than wet spray paint. Powder coating is also more environmentally friendly than wet spray painting because it does not involve the potentially harmful chemicals used in a wet spray painting.

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

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

And finally, powder coating is more durable and weather resistant than wet spray paint 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 protection upon the surface of the parts. Back to top

10.) Do parts have to be clean and rust free?

We sandblast and inspect every part we receive. This removes any old finishes, dirt, rust, and anything else that might hinder the powder coating process. It also etches the surface of the part for better adhesion of the powder. Things such as grease, rust, and dirt contaminate the powder and weaken the bond between the powder and the metal.

We do not have the facilities to properly remove any grease or oils that may be on your part. For this reason we require your parts to be grease and oil free before you bring them to us. Back to top

11.) Can you powder coat parts that have been previously treated?

Yes. We sandblast and inspect every part we receive. After we remove any old finish, dirt, rust, and anything else that might be on the surface of the part it is ready to recoat. Back to top

12.) Can you powder coat parts that have been previously wet spray painted?

Yes. It doesn't matter what kind of finish was originally on the part. Once we sandblast the previous coating to bare metal, it is an excellent candidate for powder coating. Back to top

13.) Should I have my parts sandblasted before bringing them to you?

Although you can have your part sandblasted before you bring it to us, we do not recommend it. After a part is sandblasted it is bare and exposed to the elements. Any moisture in the air will cause your part to begin surface rusting. Although this may not be very noticeable to the naked eye, it will be present. The presence of this microscopic surface rust will compromise the adhesion of the powder. For this reason, we cannot guarantee the adhesion of the powder on any parts that are sandblasted by an outside company.

When we finish sandblasting a part, it is immediately sent to our climate controlled powder coating room. There it is prepped and immediately powdered. This minimizes the time your bare part is exposed to the elements, and guarantees the best possible adhesion of the powder. Back to top

14.) Can one part be multiple colors?

Yes. By powdering one color at a time and masking off the places that are different colors, we can easily give the part multiple colors. There will be an additional setup charge associated with each of the different colors you choose. However, if the part can be dismantled into smaller pieces, then it would make powdering it alternate colors a much more practical task, and the overall quality will be much more consistent than the masking method. Back to top

15.) Can you leave certain areas of the parts bare?

Yes. We can mask off areas that do not need to be powdered. This keeps the powder from landing in that area. Often times, we place rubber caps over or inside threaded holes and extensions. This comes at no extra cost and can be done with ease. Back to top

16.) Do you guarantee your work?

Yes. Every part leaving our facility is packaged and/or individually wrapped to prevent damage from parts rubbing or banging against each other during shipping and handling. If you should discover something wrong with your part(s) once you receive them from our facility, please notify us immediately. We cannot be responsible for any damages that may occur once the part is removed from its packaging and inspected. We pride ourselves in our ability to complete all of our customer's jobs as if they were our own. Our clients come in all sizes, but we make sure that no matter what the project is, we do it right the first time. Our products live up to the toughest standards of precision and we only use the latest technology. You can count on us for the best powder coating finish available. After all, it is the finish that is seen first. We strive to achieve total customer satisfaction. Whether it's corrosion protection or decorative use, we will give you the high-quality finish that you need quickly and efficiently. Let us show you some examples of the work that have done for other satisfied customers. We know that you'll love the quality and reliability of a powder coated finish. Back to top

17.) Can you do small custom type jobs?

Yes. Each customer holds equal importance to our business. 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, although you should try to get as many parts together that are to be powder coated the same color. This will eliminate color change time and will help in ordering the correct amount of powder, if it is not a stock color. Back to top

18.) Can you do large, long running jobs?

Yes. Our large oven racks allow us to run most large quantity jobs faster and more efficiently than ever before. Whether the jobs consist of large quantities or large parts, our oven capacity can handle them without difficulty. Back to top

19.) Are you reliable when it comes to getting things done on time?

We complete all jobs in the order they are received. We offer timely service, however, we do not rush jobs. We pride ourselves in our ability to complete all of our customer's jobs as if they were our own. After all, it is the finish that is seen first. We strive to achieve total customer satisfaction while keeping turnaround time to 2-3 weeks. Under normal circumstances, we get things done correctly and on time. Getting your parts right and on time is always our top priority. Back to top

20.) If I don't have a truck, will you pick up and drop off my parts?

Yes. For a small delivery fee, we would be more than happy to pick up and deliver your part(s). We stand by our work and would rather help out than force you to contact a more expensive delivery company. Our drivers will arrive on time and handle everything with extreme care. Back to top

21.) What if some of the parts don't meet my expectations?

Please inspect your parts once you receive them from our facility. If you should discover something wrong with your part(s), please notify us immediately. If the error rests on our shoulders, we will gladly re-powder your part(s) and do whatever we can to get things on the right track with no additional charge to you.

We cannot be responsible for any damages that may occur once the part is removed from its packaging and inspected. Back to top