Are you working on restoring an old, classic car? You might consider powder coating some of the old parts of the vehicle for some additional durability. In powder coating, the metal that’s being finished gets coated with a special type of epoxy powder and then baked in a way that fixes the coating to the metal. This provides outstanding adhesion of the finish to the metal, along with a smooth, pleasing appearance.
Powder coatings have been used in commercial and industrial applications since the 1960s, and have since replaced standard painting and other types of finishes in many applications, including some auto parts. While many parts are powder coated in large-scale, industrial settings, there are DIY powder coating tools available. All you need is a powder gun system, a compressor and an electric oven (you cannot use a gas or open-flame oven, as it could ignite the powder).
There are several kinds of powders you can use for powder coating in Washington. The most common are epoxy powders, which provide electrostatic application and comply with FDA regulations. Additional options include hybrid coatings for excellent adhesion and flexibility, polyester-urethane coatings for the best overall surface appearance and weathering resistance and polyester-TGIC coatings for the ultimate in performance (most likely to be used in commercial applications).
Why use powder coating?
So, what exactly makes powder coating a great idea for old auto parts or other types of projects you have in store around your home or garage?
For starters, it’s quick. Powder coating an item is generally faster than painting the item, and has fewer steps associated with it after the preparation of the parts, which is essentially the same for both methods.
Powder coating is also more durable than paint. This is perhaps its biggest benefit: its outstanding level of resistance to the elements that can quickly ruin painted finishes. That resistance sets in immediately after baking is complete, whereas painted surfaces will remain soft for several days or even weeks before air curing is complete, making them much more susceptible to damage early on in their lives. You’ll notice that smooth, tough finish is also much easier to attain with powder coating than with multiple coats of paint. You won’t need as much skill to get it down—even beginners can achieve great results with powder coating.
Powder coating also has fewer negative side effects than paint. There aren’t any volatile solvents used in powder coating, and the materials do not cause any irritation. Paint, however, is quite toxic, and requires much more in the way of ventilation, especially when being applied in closed quarters.
Finally, powders are much cheaper than spray paint for auto parts. Expect to pay about $20 per pound of powder, which is equivalent to eight to 10 cans of spray paint in coverage. Plus, the powder that doesn’t adhere to the item can be reused for other powder coating applications.
For more information about the benefits of powder coating in Washington for auto parts, contact Powder Vision Inc. today.