The surface finish is an essential factor in metal manufacturing. When left exposed to the elements, metal can react with oxygen, causing rust. This means that adding a surface finish to the metal is a protective measure, not just for aesthetic appeal.
There are options for your surface finishing needs, including powder coating and spray paint finishes. Both finishes will add a protective coating to your metal, helping prevent rust. In this latest blog post, we cover the advantages of powder coating and why it’s the best choice for your surface finishing needs.
Durability
Powder-coated parts are resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and cracking, making them incredibly long-lasting and hard-wearing. It is ideally suited for parts that will be exposed to the elements.
Paint fades over time, leaving parts looking old and dated, whereas powder-coated parts maintain their colour for long periods. The powder coating gives your part a durable finish and protects the underlying metal from corrosion. Making powder coating an ideal solution, particularly for parts in high-risk areas.
Flexibility
Dried paint typically cracks and peels over time because it cannot expand and contract with the metal’s natural movements. Powder coating, which contains no solvents, is more flexible and able to move with the metal. Powder coating is often used on springs because it expands without cracking, unlike traditional spray paint.
Eco Friendly
Powder coating is a great, eco-friendly way to coat metal; although it is sprayed onto the part, it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals designed to make it stick. Instead, it uses an electrical charge to adhere to the metal, so it doesn’t release any hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) into the atmosphere, unlike its spray paint alternatives.
Speed
Powder coating is much faster than spray painting because you only need to apply one coat to the part to achieve the desired results; even though the part needs to go into the oven to be cured, it is still much faster than spray painting. Once the part has been cured, it is finished. Spray painting typically takes multiple coats to get the desired result.
Quality
Powder coating will also leave a much more even finish, with no drip or run marks. Spray paint will leave a more uneven finish, so you may need to respray the part multiple times to achieve the desired result.
Powder Coating vs Spray Painting
Spray Painting Advantages
- Versatile application – Works on many different materials, including wood, plastic and metal.
- Easy to touch up and repair – Damaged areas can be easily sanded and repaired.
- No high-heat required – Can be air-dryed.
Spray Painting Disadvantages
- Less durable – More prone to chipping, scratching and fading over time
- Environmental concerns: Contains solvents and volatile organic compounds, which are harmful to the environment.
- Longer drying times – Can require multiple coats and curing time.
- Inconsistent finishes – Drips, runs or uneven coating if not applied well.
Powder Coating Advantages
- Extremely Durable – Resistant to scratches, corrosion, chemicals, and UV. Ideally suited to being outdoors.
- High-Quality Even Finish – Electrostatic application gives a smooth, uniform finish.
- More Environmentally Friendly – No volatile organic compounds are used in powder coating.
- Efficient for batch production – Faster curing once in the oven, ideally suited to larger volumes of parts.
- Thicker coating in one pass – Better coverage compared to multiple spray coats.
Powder Coating Disadvantages
- Limited applications – can only be used on metals.
- Harder to touch up – repairs often require recoating the entire part.
- Size limitations – parts must fit inside an oven.
The result of powder coating is a high-quality part that will last for decades without cracking or rusting. This is why D&M provides high-quality powder coating services. We believe in the quality of this process, and our team of highly experienced powder coaters is on hand to ensure you get the end result you are looking for. To find out more about our powder coating services, visit our powder coating services page or get in touch by calling us on 01765 522 222, emailing us or visiting our contact us page.