Why should you powder coat your materials?
Powder coating is a process used for metal finishing. It uses dry powder to fuse to the surface of a metal object and then ‘cured’ with a heat or light source.
It’s often used because it’s a highly durable metal finishing method, which causes metals to become highly resistant to wear and tear. It is a thicker type of coating than conventional liquid ones and also doesn’t run. Powder coating can be used to produce a wide range of finishes, which is why it is an incredibly popular process.
How can I improve my results?
So when you’re powder coating your materials, how can you ensure you’re getting the best results? There are a few ways to do this, which we will explain in more detail below…
Find out more about how to prepare for a powder coating job.
Properly Clean Your Materials
One way to ensure a higher quality finish when powder coating is to make sure the materials you’re using are properly cleaned. Oil, dust, rust, scale, and any other marks on your metal can affect the finish of powder coating, as it will cause imperfections once applied which you may not even notice until the product has dried.
Always ensure to clean your metal fully and keep your workspace clean – if the coating is applied to defects, it can flake off and expose the metal later on.
Use Consistent Pressure
The air pressure used in your powder gun needs to be consistent throughout the process, even if there are stops and starts. Make a note of the pressure (usually recommended is 80 p.s.i) and make sure it is set to this throughout the entire powder coating process. If you’re working in a shop or environment that uses other air machines, make sure there are no overlaps and they are kept away from each other. In this way, you can ensure the best possible finish for your project.
Consistent Settings
As well as air pressure, other settings on your powder gun need to be kept consistent throughout your powder coating. These will be different depending on the metal part, the type of powder, and the finish you want. Powder suppliers will have recommended starter settings to use and many popular guns will have presets for various things, but you can tweak these depending on your project and your preferences.
Use Reliable Masking Products
Finally, one of the most important aspects of keeping your powder coating project seamless is to use high-quality powder coating masking products. Products like powder coating masking tape, silicone masking plugs, and others are made to protect areas that don’t require coating during the process. Using these products allows full focus on the metal that requires powder coating without worrying about the parts that don’t. It also means that you can achieve your desired finish, with any designs required made by using masking supplies.
Hi-Tek Products
Find high-quality powder coating masking supplies with Hi-Tek. Orders are dispatched the same day where possible, and our team of experts are on hand to discuss your powder coating masking needs. Take a look at our silicone masking plugs, powder coating masking tape, and more. For more information on our products or help with your project, get in touch