Ever wonder how many home goods get their colour? Connie on our team was busy today visiting a metalworking factory.

Between inspecting client products, she found a free moment to share with us the powder coating process.

Powder coating is a finishing process used to apply a dry, protective finish to metal objects.

The First Steps

Here are the typical steps in the process:

➡️Preparation: The metal objects to be coated are cleaned to remove oils, dirt, and other contaminants.

This can involve chemical treatments, sandblasting, or other cleaning methods to ensure a clean surface.

➡️Applying the Powder: The powder used in coating is typically a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin.

This powder is electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the surface of the object.

The electrostatic charge causes the powder to adhere to the metal surface.

➡️Curing: After the object is coated with powder, it is moved into a curing oven.

In the oven, the powder is heated to a specific temperature for a set period.

This heat causes the powder to melt, flow, and then harden into a smooth, durable finish.

The Final Steps

➡️Cooling and Finishing: Once the object exits the oven, it cools down.

The cooling process solidifies the coating, completing the process.

After cooling, a quality inspection is conducted to ensure the coating is uniform and meets required standards. Touch ups are applied.

➡️Packaging: The final step involves packaging the coated objects for shipment.

Powder coating is popular because it provides a finish that is tougher and more durable than traditional paint, with a wide range of colors and textures.

The method is also more environmentally friendly since it produces fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to liquid coatings.