Powder coating is one of the best ways to enhance the aesthetic of a metal object, while also supplying it with some resilience to create longevity and sustainability in the finished product. When it comes right down to it, there aren’t many drawbacks to powder coating, which makes it a great option for someone seeking to create a finished quality product that’s going to be well worth the investment.
But is powder coating always the right option for finishing something? Well, depending on your application, that answer may sway one way or another, forcing you to have a powder coating discussion in Preston, WA. This is an important topic to debate because, like any finishing application, once it’s in place, there’s not going to be a whole lot you can do to reverse it, save for sandblasting and starting over.
When not to apply
As stated above, there are a myriad of reasons to apply powder coating to a metal product and in fact, the times where you shouldn’t are few and far between. Take a look at just some of the instances that might make you think twice about applying a powder coat, for one reason or another:
- Powder coatings are generally not applied to critical surfaces, such as threads, locks, shafts, shaft holes, etc. These surfaces are generally bored or threaded to meet certain specifications and having a glazed layer of powder coating on them can increase the chance that the fit will no longer be optimal, which can result in anything from friction to incompatibility.
- On products that are intricately detailed, it’s best not to use powder coating because the cured coating can leave the details looking out of focus or less detailed. The powder coating will still preserve the details themselves, but can dull their “pop” a little because of the added weight and thickness of the coating.
These scenarios are just two of the most common instances that should be avoided when you’re thinking about powder coating, but there are other situations that may have unique needs that would fall outside of the realm of powder coating. Any time thickness cannot be added or functionality plays a role in the part that may be compromised by aesthetic coatings, another option should be sought.
Have a discussion
Just because there are certain instances that would not benefit from powder coating services doesn’t mean that this application isn’t ideal for peripheral measures. For example, in vehicles, while it may not be in your best interest to coat functional car parts, certain other aesthetic pieces and components can absolutely be coated to improve the overall look of the vehicle.
It all comes down to discerning what your options are before jumping to powder coating as a conclusion and having a powder coating discussion in Preston, WA. In the end you might find that powder coating is indeed a perfect option or, if the opposite outcome is determined, you’ll at least understand why it’s not a good option and save yourself the hassle of having to start from scratch when issues are determined.