Powder Coating is a dry finishing method that provides exceptional durability and protection to metal items against rust and corrosion. It is widely used in automotive, architectural, and industrial machinery coating applications. It is also a great option for detailing in surface finishes. But while powder coating has several benefits, it also has quite a few drawbacks.
If you have a surface finishing project, you must choose the method and materials carefully. Powder Coating may be the most durable and environmentally friendly option, but you must know other alternatives.
At Rusty Lions, we're the leaders in metal finishing services in New Jersey. We provide powder coating, sandblasting, cerakote, and industrial coating. We stay on top of every project with thorough planning and choosing the best finishing method for their needs. Our licensed applicators use the latest coating technologies and cutting-edge equipment to complete your project to perfection.
Powder Coating Alternatives
When we talk of powder coating alternatives, wet paint is the first method to come to mind. After all, liquid paint was the first choice finishing technique before powder coating became an industry mainstay. There are other alternatives as well - namely oil coating and hydrographic printing.
Let's break each of them down:
Liquid Paint
Liquid paint was the traditional finishing method. Wet paint is easily accessible by everyone and available in various forms - spray and liquid.
But wet paint has several drawbacks. Firstly, it causes a lot of waste. Unlike powder coating, which is applied electrostatically, every coat of wet paint is applied manually. This is an intricate process which needs time to dry properly. Visual imperfections like dripping or running are common with paint coating.
This issue can be remedied by spray painting. The atomized paint particles need less time to dry and provide an even coating.
However, liquid paint has several downsides versus powder coating. Firstly, it is much less durable than powder coating. While the latter can last several years, paint tends to fade and chip away in a shorter duration. Moreover, it is difficult to achieve a smooth and uniform finish with wet paint.
Painting also becomes challenging when coating parts of varying shapes and sizes. Improperly coated parts may be susceptible to corrosion or chipping. It takes a lot of patience for the applicator to evenly paint the whole part.
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Hydrographic Printing
Hydrographic is a cheaper and more of a DIY kind of alternative to powder coating. The process includes customizing thin sheets in the desired color and finish. The sheet is placed in a pool of water and the part is dipped into it. The sheet then envelopes the object and provides a custom look to the object.
This unique finishing method is used for intricate and custom-made patterns on the parts. It is fairly easy to apply and a much cheaper alternative to powder coating. You can watch online DIY tutorials and paint your objects using this method at home.
However, hydrographic printing also has its limitations. While it is great to achieve a custom look, getting there will need some practice. Coating intricate objects with this method is also very challenging unless done by a professional.
Thus, hydrographic printing isn't recommended for irregularly shaped objects or when the project doesn't need a custom stylized look.
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Oil Coating
Oil coating is perhaps the simplest of all the finishing methods, but far from being the most efficient one. Household metal objects don't require a complicated finishing for corrosion protection. This simple and cheap preventive measure can protect such parts.
Oil coating isn't as durable as powder coating; which means you have to regularly coat your objects for sustainable protection. While it's a great option for residential coating projects, its commercial viability is poor.
That is because neither is it durable nor an attractive finishing method. A simple oil coating often decreases the aesthetic appeal of metal objects, and hence, its commercial application is negligible.
What Makes Powder Coating the Best Finishing Method?
- Durability: Powder coating produces a thick layer of coating that doesn't run or drip. The result is a smooth finish over substrates without visible defects.
- Environmentally friendly: Unlike liquid or spray paint that releases volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air, powder coating is environmentally safe without any toxic release of chemicals.
- Zero Waste: The powder coating overspray can be reused, which leaves no powder unapplied. The overall project also yields minimal waste like traditional wet paint or hydrographic printing does.
- Uniform & Smooth Finish: Powder coating is highly effective in covering objects of all shapes and sizes. It can easily cover sharp or irregular edges and thoroughly coats every part of the object, leaving none exposed.
- Versatility: You can choose from a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes with powder coating. This versatility isn't achievable with liquid paint, hydrographic printing, or oil coating.
Rusty Lions Makes Powder Coating Easy
From automotive parts like rims and wheels to architectural items and industrial machinery - Rusty Lions makes powder coating a breeze. Our licensed and trained operators have significant experience in completing a wide array of jobs with fast turnaround, minimal cost, and high-quality results. We thoroughly plan and execute every project keeping in mind our customers' specifications and needs.
We have the equipment and expertise to handle powder coating projects of any size. Our eco-conscious and high-quality powder coating services can transform any metal object into a work of art. Contact us for an estimate or to learn more about our powder coating services.
