Powder Coating
We strip powder coating in Cape Town and facilitate the powder coating process through one of our trusted clients for a high-quality finish on your clean metal parts. This technique involves applying free-flowing dry powder to your electrostatically-charged part. It is cured using heat or ultraviolet light to result in a long-lasting finish that is tougher than conventional paint.
If you are unsure on the way forward on your restoration process, give us a call and we’ll be happy to advise and assist you with the best method for metal stripping and coating.
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a simple process, yet requires a professional approach to attain high-quality results. When you apply thermoplastic and thermoset powder materials to metal, plastic, glass, and medium-density fiberboard it creates a hard, even coating across the entire surface.
Depending on the manufacturing application, a fluidized bed application may be more suitable than electrostatic spray deposition. Spray applications result in a thicker coating and can only be done on metal surfaces, which is our area of expertise.
Powder Coating Process
The powder coating process includes multiple steps and is fairly straightforward. However, it does require preparation and should be done by a professional. As an alternative to liquid paint, powder coating is more durable, cost-effective, and more environmentally-friendly.
The process begins with preparing your surface to ensure it is free from dust, dirt, and debris. We offer sandblasting and chemical cleaning of metal parts. From past results, powder coating has shown to be an attractive and practical finish for a wide variety of applications.
Areas not intended to be coated can be masked off before the items go inside the powder spray booth. The powder is then applied to the grounded items using a spray gun. This gives the fluidized powder material an electrical charge while projecting it onto the surface of the substrate.
Now the curing begins in the powder curing oven. Depending on the temperature suited to the substrate, and whether heat or ultraviolet light is used, it can take between ten minutes and two hours to cure. This heat allows the paint particles to form a continuous film over the part’s surface.
Types of Powder Coating Finishes
It is important to consider the application environment, substrate material, and turnaround time to determine the type of coating most suitable for your needs. The two main types of coating materials are thermosets and thermoplastics. We break down the benefits of each below and dive into specific applications.
Thermoset Powders
Thermoset powders such as PVC, Polyolefin , and Polyester, are incredible types of heat-resistant paint. They produce a thin, hard finish that is evenly distributed across the surface. Thermoset is an efficient powder paint to use as it only requires a single cure. The end result is a paint finish with high scratch resistance, and resistance to impact.
When people attempt a DIY powder coating project the items are often over hardened during curing. This results in a brittle paint surface. Your paint undergoes a chemical reaction that cannot be reversed following the curing phase, so you only get one shot. We make sure to get your items coated carefully using companies that utilize a specialised powder coating gun.
Thermoplastic Powders
Thermoplastic powders offer a thicker, more flexible, and impact-resistant coating. However, it is less suitable for items intended for use in high temperatures. The coating when reheated can soften or even melt off. These are typically made from either epoxy, an epoxy-polyester hybrid, acrylic, or a silicon-based powder.
Both the electrostatic spray deposition and fluidized bed coating methods are suitable for the application of thermoplastic powders. The resulting finish is more flexible in thick coatings than similar thickness thermoset powders.
Powder Coating Steel
Powder coating on steel parts can be applied in a wide range of colours, finishes, and textures. It is not easy to achieve a similar thickness coating with conventional paint. The powder-coated layer is aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting, and helps to protect the steel from corrosion.
While there are more than 3500 different grades of steel, we have various solutions for the optimum clean. Once clean, powder coating is a suitable choice for a long-lasting and high-quality finish to your steel parts.
Aluminium Powder Coating
Powder coating powder can be applied to aluminium parts as well. Aluminium is most often anodised, electroplated, or powder coated for a variety of finishes with different benefits and costs. The powder coating increases the abrasion resistance and can last for decades, depending on the use.
When left untreated, aluminium loses its shiny surface. A thin oxide layer can form on the surface. This oxidation of the surface layer of aluminium takes place slowly and is precisely what makes aluminium so corrosion-resistant.
Benefits of Powder Coating Metal Parts
The main benefit of powder coating over conventional liquid paints is increased durability. The variety of special finishes and quick turnaround time makes this a competitive alternative. Another benefit of powder coating is that it typically has less impact on the environment too.
Conventional paints typically emit carbon dioxide, require solvents, and result in hazardous waste. Both the electrostatic spray deposition and the fluidized bed coating method allow for excess powder to be collected and recycled instead of wasted. This effective use of materials alongside the fast curing times helps to lower the overall cost of powder coating.
Negatives of Powder Coating Process
As mentioned, the substrate must be able to withstand high enough temperatures to set the powder coating. Substrates like plastic require special powders and ultraviolet light for curing.
A thin, even coating may still prove challenging to achieve. It is difficult to control the amount of powder material while still achieving a thorough covering. We recommend enlisting the help of professionals who are adept in the use of a powder coating spray gun.
Multicolour powder coatings are more time-consuming to produce than conventional paints as the overspray is typically gathered before the colour is changed. The careful cleaning of the powder coating equipment ensures no cross-contamination of the powder coating materials.
Powder Coaters in Cape Town
With the experience and ability to effectively clean your metal parts, we are confident that we can provide you with a great metal cleaning and powder coating service. Contact us today or visit our factory in Montague Gardens, Cape Town for a quote.
We look forward to delivering a long lasting and high quality finish!
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