What Is Powder Coating?
Powder Coating is a revolutionary process that makes painting almost obsolete! It's a multi stage process that, simply stated, encases your metal part in a tough, durable, and beautiful thin layer of plastic. Like paint, this plastic layer can be any number of colors, as well as a flat finish to high gloss. Textured finishes are available as well. Here's how the whole process works;
1. A bare, clean metal surface is first run through a spray wash booth. This is to remove any grit, grime, or oils that may prevent the plastic powder from adhering to the part.
2. The part is hung from a rack system that allows a small static electric charge to flow. This rack system also allows the transportation of the part throughout the various stages of the powder coating process, so the part is never touched by human hands until finished.
3. The part is guided, on its rack and through the use of an overhead track system, to the powder spray booth. There, small electrodes are attached to the part. The part is then negatively charged. The electrodes that are attached to the part originate from the powder coating spray gun. The gun itself is positively charged. So, when the operator spays the positively charged plastic powder onto the negatively charged piece, the powder sticks to the part. As long as the part stays hung from its rack, the charge is maintained, all the way through the rest of the process. The powder itself is basically tiny spheres of plastic, about the size of a particle of pollen.
4. As the desired thickness and coverage of the powder coat is achieved, the part is removed from the spray booth. Again, using the overhead track system, the part is transported to the oven. The oven at American Powder Coating is large enough to accommodate items as big as complete car frames. And, with our new division coming on line soon, we will be able to handle items as long as 60 feet! The part is placed in the oven. At a temperature of approximately 350 degrees, the part is 'baked'. The time baked varies as to the thickness of the coating, as well as the various coating manufacturers recommendations. While baking, those tiny pellets of plastic melt onto the part, covering it completely.
5. After the prescribed amount of time has past, the part is removed from the oven and allowed to cool. There, the beauty of the part can be seen, as the final finish is revealed, both in the color and the glossiness.
6. After cooling, the part is ready to be picked up by the customer. The plastic finish will retain its beautiful finish for years to come! The plastic is resistant to scratching, chipping, and fading, much more so than paint!
Well, that does it. Now you have a basic knowledge of powdercoating! Please see the link to 'follow a part through the powder coating process' to see how this all works with images instead of words!
American Powder Coating
3802 B Street NW
Auburn, WA 98001
253-833-7870