Q: What is the maximum size and weight that you can powder coat?

A: At Powder Coating Services Ltd we have two production lines, in the first the maximum size that we can coat is 2500mm wide by 2500mm high, by 6050mm long. The maximum part weight is 1000 Kg’s. The second line can coat products 600mm wide (centered) by 1200mm high, by 12000mm long. The maximum part weight is 100kg’s.

 

Q: How quick is your turn-around?

A: In many cases our turn-around is within 3 working days, depending on the colour and our schedule. However, in general, coating may take about five to seven days after the product arrives. (Check with the Production Manager for times that are more specific.)

 

Q: What is powder coating?

A: Powder coating is a paint application consisting of fine dry powder pigment and resin. It is applied electro-statically to metal parts and heated to a temperature of about 200°C. The powder reacts at this high temperature, resulting in a beautifully smooth, highly durable finish. Our complex process requires a phosphate wash, rinse, and dry-off before proceeding to the coating booth. To learn how to get the best powder coating results, please read our Technical Guidelines.

 

Q: What advantages does powder coating have over wet painting methods?

A: Powder coating has many advantages over liquid paint applications. This includes producing a more durable and corrosion resistant finish. Powder coating is also a more environmentally-friendly choice as it eliminates the need for an evaporating liquid paint carrier and cleaning solvents. Powder coating material is free of both flammable and vapourising components, so they do not pose a danger to us or to our environment. Also, powder coating finishes last much longer than liquid paint applications, and with only a single application.


 
Q: What are some examples of powder coated items?

A: We are surrounded by powder coated parts. Patio furniture, store shelving, fencing, vehicle parts, light fixtures, appliances, and building materials are all items that are commonly powder coated for superior corrosion resistance and durability. Visit our sample products page for pictures and more examples. To see some colour samples visit our colour samples section.

 

Q: Do you provide chemical or mechanical removal of previous finishes?

A: We can provide metal stripping services at Powder Coating Services Ltd, and our pre-treatment process can remove light to mild oxides or scale. For heavy oxides and scale the only solution is mechanical re-finishing of the substrate, for which Powder Coating Services Ltd can organise abrasive blasting.

 

Q: Is it necessary for materials to be shipped to Powder Coating Services Ltd to be processed?

A: Yes. Products must be powder coated on location at Powder Coating Services Ltd. All material must be hung on our production line to be properly cleaned, coated, and cured.


 
Q: Are there different types of powder?

A: The two main types of powder coatings are polyester and epoxy. Epoxy is old technology and was used for indoor applications because, while it provided a highly durable, shiny finish, however it eventually forms a dull film in reaction to direct sunlight. However, polyester does not have this problem, so is well suited to outdoor applications, and has become the predominant type of powder coating.

 

Q: What does your powder base consist of? Do you apply Teflon®?

A: We coat with polyester, polyurethane, epoxy and hybrid powders. Our process requires powder to be electro-statically applied and cured in an oven with temperatures reaching 200°C. Unfortunately, we cannot coat with Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethylene) as it requires a curing temperature greater than 200°C.

 

Q: I am looking for a very specific colour, how large is your selection?

A: As custom powder coaters, we carry a large of powder coat colours in stock. We currently hold in excess of 450 different powders (colours, textures, metallic’s and gloss levels). We can also have powder matched to any of the thousands of wet paint colours available, so there is no limitation on the selection of powder coating finishes available from our main powder suppliers.


 
Q: What colours do you do most often?

A: We have "standard colours" which we run more frequently. These include: blacks, whites, and silvers.

 

Q: Do you do any wet painting or chrome plating?

A: As we are an environmentally-friendly company, we only apply powder coatings to metal substrates. However, we have the ability to apply a chrome-free conversion coating to aluminum substrates that gives a level of protection that can equal or exceed traditional chrome specifications prior to powder coating.