- The process of powder coating begins with cleaning and stripping the item to bare metal. This is one of the most important things you want do when preparing to powder coat anything. We start with a clean, sanitized surface that is free from dirt, oils, and other residues. Then we sand the item and strip it to its barest metal state. Cleaning or prepping the surface also includes baking the part before powder coating. This helps with porous items and to remove oils that have infiltrated the metal.
- The second step in the process is simply to apply the powder coat. The powder itself is similar to baby powder or flour and is applied via an electrically charged spray gun and, preferably, in a powder coating booth. Safety is important during this step: masks and respirators should be worn and precautions for preventing powder fires should be taken.
- Lastly, the item must be cured. Another word for this is baked. Parts are typically placed into a 200-degree Celsius oven (400 degrees Fahrenheit) for 32 min. This solidifies the coating and makes it very durable after cooling.
If done correctly, a good powder coating can last 15-20 years with good treatment, the correct type of powder, and excellent pretreatment conditions.