How to Powder Coat

Powder coating is a new technology in paint application that applies pigments to a bare surface without the use of solvents or thinners. This process has the advantage of being free of chemical off gassing and other health concerns associated with the indoor use of solvents, and also generally is environmentally cleaner and more sustainable in the long run than conventional paint application processes. While many people are interested in powder coating as an alternative to the usual method, not many people know how to powder coat. For this reason, it is important to do your research and, if necessary, hire a professional to do the job or at least walk you through the basic steps.

To begin powder coating, you must first prepare the surface that is going to be painted. This is usually a dry, bare metal surface, such as screen doors or bicycle parts. This step is known as the pre-treatment, and might have to involve some solvents to remove any pre-existing pain, oil, or other forms of residue that might prevent the powder coating from properly adhering to the metal surface.

The next step in powder coating is the actual application of the powder itself. This usually involves the use of an electrostatic gun known as a Corona gun. The powder is applied in thin, even coatings, being careful not to overspray on any objects not intended to be powder coated.

Finally, like any painting process, powder coating requires a curing time. This is the third, and easiest, step. Heating the powder causes it to essentially liquefy, making it appear as any other paint. This is normally done in a specially designed convection oven to keep the painted pieces at a constant, even temperature, usually about two hundred degrees Celsius, or three hundred and ninety degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the paint has cured and cooled you can remove it from the curing oven and enjoy the beautiful new solvent-free coat of paint you have given it. If you need to remove powder coating for any reason, it is best to blast it with an abrasive substance, as most solvent-based paint thinners are ineffective on the treatment.