Powder coating is a popular finishing process for products made of metal as well as plastic and concrete. This multi-step process produces a cost-effective, eco-friendly coating that’s as attractive as it is durable, and Douglas Machine & Engineering is proud to offer liquid as well as powder coating services for our clients.

What is Powder Coating?

Powder coating is a dry-coating process that is compatible with metal, concrete, steel, and plastic. After the product or material is cleaned and treated to remove dirt and residue, a dry powder is applied to the surface via an electrostatic process. It’s then melted and hardened to achieve a smooth, flexible finish. The resulting product is suitable for indoor or outdoor use, as powder coating offers resistance to abrasion, corrosion, UV light, and weather conditions for a long-lasting solution.

Because powder coating is available in a wide variety of colors and textures, it’s a preferred finishing option for decorative and practical purposes.

Application Process

Powder coating is a six-step process:

  1. Clean: Before a surface can be powder coated, the technician must carefully clean and prepare the material’s surface. Typically, this includes the use of a degreaser and/or a phosphate rinse, as well as a water rinse to remove the cleaning agents.
  2. Pre-Treat: Depending upon the type of material, the surface can be pretreated to improve coating adherence.
  3. Rinse and Dry: The surface is again rinsed to remove any dust and dried thoroughly (by air or in an oven).
  4. Mask: Any part of the component that doesn’t require powder coating is covered.
  5. Powder Coat: At Douglas Machine & Engineering, we use thermoset powder coatings, including epoxy, polyester, nylon, and more.
  6. Cure: The curing process takes about 10-15 minutes, depending upon the type of powder coating. After the coating is heated in the oven, it must be left to cool and harden.

Benefits of Powder Coating

Powder coating offers a number of benefits over other finishing processes, depending upon your particular application:

  • Durability: Powder coating resists corrosion, abrasion, and weather conditions for a long-lasting finish. It’s one of the most durable finishing choices available.
  • Longevity: You won’t have to reapply your powder coating, and it will retain its sharp, smooth color despite exposure to rain, wind, and sunlight. This makes it an even more economical finishing option over the long term.
  • Environmentally Friendly: There is no use of solvents, and the coating itself doesn’t release any volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This makes it safer to work with and better for the environment. Furthermore, there’s minimal waste during the powder coating process.
  • Cost-Effective: Though the upfront costs of powder coating are typically higher than some other options, the process takes less time and there is less waste produced. Because the effects are long-lasting, you won’t have to reapply the finish, and your component will enjoy a longer period of protection against corrosion and weather conditions.
  • Attractive: Powder coating creates a smooth, shiny wash of vibrant color, and it retains that fresh appearance over time. You have a range of choices for colors and textures to best suit your application.

Powder Coating Finishes and Capabilities

Choose from virtually any color you can imagine in special formulations that focus on appearance or protective properties. Powder coating allows for thicknesses and textures that aren’t possible with traditional liquid paint finishing methods. Customization allows for a matte, glossy, clear, or even metallic finish, with protection against scratches and rust. It won’t chip or fade over time.

Powder Coating Services from Douglas Machine

Since 1945, Douglas Machine & Engineering has specialized in innovative design solutions for applications in a wide range of industries, including aerospace and defense, agriculture, pharmaceutical, construction, and others. As an ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D-certified company, we’re proud to offer high-quality, reliable design and fabrication, as well as liquid and powder coating services, for our clients. We handle the entire manufacturing process in-house to ensure we meet your specifications in a timely manner. Contact us today to learn more about powder coating and whether it’s the right finishing choice for your project.