Australian and International Manufacturing

In the world of metal fabrication, powder coating often finds itself pitted against traditional wet paint because the two finishing processes for metals are alternatives to each other. Each of these coating processes has unique pros and cons that must be carefully looked at in determining which one is better for every application.

Choose powder coating over liquid paint if your metal fabrication project demands the following specifications.

A thicker, more durable coating

Traditional wet paint is ideal for metal products that require a thin coating and may be your only option for finishing parts that can't be put in an oven. But when it comes to applications that demand a thick and durable coating, powder coating comes out on top.

Powder coating requires applying dry powder to the surface of a metal part and then curing the coating in an oven. The process delivers a thick coating system that can withstand scratching, chipping, and other forms of surface damage better than liquid-applied paint coatings.

A more environmentally friendly coating process

If you want to give your project the green thumbs up, you're better off choosing the powder coating process. As it's a dry finishing process, it does not require the use of any chemical solvents that may be released into the environment during the metal finishing process. It also minimises the amount of material waste produced, as there's no dripping coating material that goes to waste.

A more uniform coating 

Producing a smooth and uniform finish with liquid paint requires painstaking attention to detail throughout the metal finishing process, from paint selection to the mixing of the paint, to paint application. This can be difficult to achieve without the help of highly skilled industrial painters.

The powder coating process, on the other hand, can deliver a smooth part finish without the hassle of a paint job since the powder melts evenly on the material it is applied onto.

A faster coating process

Liquid paint usually requires multiple applications to deliver the desired results, with painters having to wait for each coating to cure properly before they can apply the next one. This can be a time-consuming undertaking.

On the other hand, powder coating delivers a thick, tough, and long-lasting finish in a single application of dry powder. This makes it ideal for projects that require faster lead times than can be achieved with traditional liquid paint.

If you have any questions about powder coating, don't hesitate to consult an industry expert.