IS POWDER COATING DURABLE?
This is one of the questions we get most often, especially from people who are trying to decide whether to choose powder coating or wet painting. Luckily we have a lot of experience and are happy to provide an answer. Read on to find out more about this process and why it is a better option than painting in many cases
HOW DOES IT WORK?
As the name suggests, powder coatings begin as fine, free flowing powders. Applying them is a little more complex than using wet paint. First you need to spray with an undercoat to prepare the surface. Then there is the electrostatic process of spraying on the powder. This makes it adhere to the surface. The final step is to cure the coating. Exposing it to heat allows it to flow and form, resulting in a great finish.
Benefits
You can encounter various issues with wet paint, including an uneven coat, drip marks, and flaking. If you choose powder coating, you don’t have to worry about any of these.
Because of the preparation and electrostatic process, the powder forms a strong bond. The curing makes the surface very tough and durable. This provides better weather proofing, chemical and corrosion resistance, and protection against wear and tear.
The whole surface is sprayed evenly, and when the powder cures it flows and forms a complete coat. This means there are no places with a thinner coat and less protection. The durability of the coating also means the colour will be vibrant for longer. You can even add texture.
Surprisingly there are also environmental benefits. The powders themselves are safer because they tend to be free of solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The powder should meet air and water pollution control standards. The process is also much cleaner and is typically within a sealed environment.
EXPERT POWDER COATING
Now that you know this process provides a durable, high quality finish and lots of benefits, you may want to find someone who can do it. Elite Powder Coatings is a specialist with over thirty years of combined experience. We are versatile, professional and support customers in various sectors. In addition, we are ISO 9001 certified so you can expect us to deliver unbeatable quality.
If you want to speak to us about powder coating or would like to book a service, please contact us.
WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL IS USED FOR SHOT BLASTING?
Preparing metal surfaces for restoration is vital. Good preparation will result in a much better finish and reduce the risk of issues. The most important part of this process is to strip away old paint, corrosion, dirt and contaminants. Any of these could affect how well the new paint or coating bonds with the surface. The best way to clean and prepare most metal parts is shot blasting.
The greatest thing about using blasting to clean and prepare metal is there is a choice of different media. This means there are options to suit various needs. For example you can choose a material that is very hard and angular so it can strip tough coatings from the hardest metals. On the other hand you can choose beads if the metal is softer and there is a higher risk of pitting.
The different types of blast media include:
Abrasives – such as steel and iron grit
Beads – steel, iron or even glass balls
Expandable – including iron silicate that expands on impact
Natural – a wide range of different natural materials can be used, including walnut shell and soda
It is important to select the type and grade of shot to suit the application. You need to ensure it will effectively strip the metal but not damage it. In addition you need to think about things like whether you can reuse or recycle the material.
It is a good idea to test blast part of the item to see what happens. Usually the blaster will do this in an area that is not visible. If there are any concerns about damage, it is also wise to start with a softer shot and then work up to a harder, more abrasive one if necessary.
At Elite Powder Coatings we have the skills to carefully blast various metal surfaces. We will select the right type and grade of shot, keeping in mind the material we are working with. Primarily we work with G12 shot but we have access to a wide array of other materials.
If you would like a first rate shot blasting service, rely on us. We even offer wet painting and powder coating. Therefore we can give every newly blasted item a new coating and help you along with the restoration.