WHAT IS BETTER - WET PAINT OR POWDER COATINGS?

Neither wet paint nor powder coating is inherently better than the other. Choosing whether to use a wet paint or powder coating solution really depends on the intended application of the product and the desired outcome. We have listed the advantages and disadvantages of powder coating and wet paint below to help you determine which solution is best for your project:

Powder Coating Advantages:

Powder coating is generally preferred for any objects that are exposed to extreme wear and tear through environmental factors, such as fencing and gates, or preferred for heavy-duty equipment such as tractor harrows. Powdercoating is typically:

• Tougher and a more durable coating.
• Has a faster application and curing process.
• Is environmentally friendly.
• Has better colour retention.
• Is lower maintenance.
• Is cost-efficient, especially for large quantities.

Powder Coating Disadvantages:

• Hard to apply to materials that aren’t metal.
• Requires special equipment.
• Can’t be done on-site.

Wet Paint Advantages:

Wet paints may be more suitable to apply to objects that are fixed in place or can’t be heated in a powder coating oven. It has the following advantages:

• It is easier to apply multiple colours.
• Can be applied on site.
• Less equipment is required.
• Is simple and easy.

Wet Paint Disadvantages:

• Much harder to apply without drips, streaks etc.
• Takes longer to dry and set.
• Less environmentally sustainable.
• Easier to chip, scratch, and flake.

Please contact our team if you are unsure whether a powder coating or wet painting solution is best for your project.

HOW MANY COATS DOES POWDER COATING REQUIRE?

Powdercoating is generally a one-coat finish, although, in some circumstances, multiple coats are applied. Specialty finishes such as ‘candy’ or metallic coatings involve a preliminary coating of chrome primer, secondary coating of colour, and a final coating of clear.

In these cases, preliminary coats are treated like a zinc primer coat in that a shortened baking process ‘gels’ multiple layers together before the final coat is fully cured.

HOW LONG DO POWDER COATINGS LAST?

Powder coatings are thick and durable protective films. With thorough pre-treatment and careful application, powder coating films can last up to 30-40 years. However, many variables can affect the longevity of a powder-coated film.

A superficial pre-treatment process, for instance, will decrease adhesion and cause pre-mature flaking, chipping and scratching. Environmental factors such as excessive wear and tear, salt, exposure to organic material, UV and pollution can also gradually break down powder coating films after several years.

What powdercoating colours are available?

There are many colours of powdercoat available in a variety of different shades, textures, and specialty finishes. Our primary suppliers of powdercoat are Dulux Powders, Interpon Powder Coatings, Oxytech Powders, and Jotun Powders. However, there are many other suppliers in the market that we can cater for as well. To browse our colour charts, we recommend selecting the 'Colours & Charts' option under the 'Services' tab in our top navigation menu.

How much does powdercoating cost?

The cost of powder coating varies according to factors such as the type and condition of the metal, the intended environment of the product, and the required colour or finish. The easiest and fastest way to get a price on your project is to call our team or submit a quote.

Below are some of the factors that influence the price of your quote:

1. Type of Metal -

Different metals require different treatment and baking processes to ensure the powder coated finish is durable. For instance, stainless steel typically requires light abrasive blasting and a top coat, whereas aluminium requires an etching process to increase powder adhesion. As each different metal requires a varying amount of time to service, the cost of service can differ accordingly.

2. Surface Area, Complexity, and Weight -

More powder needs to be applied to larger surface areas, and highly complex shapes and patterns can require more careful application and time by the sprayer to ensure all curves, corners and crevices are coated. Large and heavy products can require machinery such as a forklift to move through our pre-treatment facilities, spray booth, and oven. As such, more time and energy is needed to safely move heavy objects, influencing the price.

3. Zinc Priming -

Metals are exposed to different environments with varying levels of wear and tear. For instance, a four-wheel drive bullbar is constantly exposed to harsh elements like sun, rain, and wind, whereas a table base stored in a living room has significantly less exposure to the elements. Zinc-priming is recommended to increase the durability of metals exposed to the elements, which requires extra time in the spray booth as well as an additional curing process in the oven.

4. Sandblasting -

Sandblasting lightly strips metal, rust, welding scale, and oxidation from metal surfaces to clean and smooth impurities in raw metal which helps to create a better finish and increase coating adhesion and durability. However, sandblasting time can vary according to the softness of the metal and whether the surface has previously been powder coated.

5. Powder and Finish -

Powders are supplied by manufacturers such as Dulux, Interpon, Oxytech, and Jotun. However, not all powders are priced equally, and some powders can cost more to use. This is particularly the case with specialty finishes and textures. Furthermore, some finishes require more time and attention to execute which increases labour and therefore cost.

6. Quantity -

Large quantities of products in batches generally cost less to coat than one-off products, particularly if the same colour is specified. Each time a new colour is needed in the spray booth, the spraying team must clean all spraying equipment as well as the spray booth to avoid any possible colour contamination.

7. Disassembly -

Products that require disassembly before powder coating or sandblasting require more labour which naturally raises the cost. We recommend disassembling metal pieces from any materials or objects that do not require powder coating. For instance, car rims should be separated from the tyres with all tyre weights removed.

Powder coating is often quoted in different formats for private and commercial customers. Private customers, such as a customer wanting their outdoor furniture coated, are typically quoted based on a one-off job. On the other hand, a commercial customer such as a fencing supplier is typically quoted based on a cost-per-square-inch basis.

Please speak to a team member or submit a quote to get an accurate cost for your project.