Question: What makes the powder "stick" to the part? 
Answer: The two key factors here are, surface preparation and the electrostatic application of the powder. First the parts are cleaned and degreased. This is followed by a pretreatment, typically a phoshatizing agent, or they are sandblasted. Exposure to salt or high humidity may call for an additional treatment. Secondly, the parts are hung on racks that will transport them to the spray booth and eventually to the oven. These racks are grounded. The attached ground ensures that the charged particles will be attracted to the part.

Question: What does "baking" or "curing" mean?
Answer: After the parts are coated with powder, it is crucial to properly bake or cure them. The heat in the oven will cause the powder to melt and form a protective sheet around the part. At this point, the powder bonds not only to itself, but also to the part. This process gives the coating its increased durability and professional look. If the parts are not cured properly, then the powder will not bond properly. This creates a weakness in the powder itself, which can make the parts more vulnerable to chipping or corrosion. We see to it that every part receives the proper attention. The temperature of the oven is carefully regulated to keep the bonding process at its maximum level of efficiency and not break down the integrity of your part.

Question: How durable is powder and what types are there?
Answer: One of the best things about powder coating is how incredibly durable and strong powder is. It stands up against the toughest conditions, keeping its original polished look. There are many types of powder, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Outdoor powders are meant to withstand rain, snow, heat, cold and ultraviolet rays. They can also provide enduring rust inhibiting qualities, thus protecting the parts intended look and feel. Such powders are used on products like vehicle parts and outdoor equipment. Indoor powders cater more to the conditions relating to indoor use. Chipping, scratching and everyday wear and tear are no threat to indoor powders. They come in a variety of special mixtures, providing a custom balance between maximum durability and many unique textured looks. We will ask the proper questions to come up with the right solution for your needs.

Question: How many colors are there?
Answer: Virtually any variation of color on the spectrum can be found in powder form. Keep in mind, however, that not all brands of powder are alike. If you already have a color in mind, bring it in so that we can match it as closely as possible without sacrificing quality. Chances are we'll have more than one option for you to choose from.

Question: Are all the colors the same price?
Answer: No. Some colors are more expensive due to their availability, ingredients, or simply depend on the supplier. Stock colors are naturally less expensive than powder that must be special-ordered or powders that are hard to locate. Some powders are more expensive because of their properties, such as textured powders, reds, yellows, candies, metallic, etc. Amazingly, the cost of the powder represents only a small part of the total cost of the powder coating process. Most of the cost can be attributed to the labor of setup and processing of the parts, which varies depending on the circumstances required to process each individual part.

Question: Can you implement textures?
Answer: Yes. A constantly increasing variety of textured and wrinkle finishes are available, which adds a professional look and dimension to the part. With powder coating, there are many application possibilities.

Question: Can you powder coat anything?
Answer: No. There are many materials that simply would not survive the heat involved in the powder coating process. Each part must be baked or cured after it has been coated, which exposes it to temperatures which can exceed 400 degrees. For that reason, many materials would melt or burn. Anything that can survive these temperatures of our batch oven could potentially be powder coated. Another limitation is related to the size of the parts that our ovens can accommodate. Our current batch oven's interior dimensions are 40" wide x 96" deep x 85" high. Your parts must fit within these dimensions.

Question: Why should I choose powder coating over wet spray painting?
Answer: Powder coating is superior to wet spray in so many ways. If your part is capable of being powder coated, there is really no reason why you would be compelled to choose otherwise. It's generally less expensive to powder coat a part once than have it painted several times during its life. Faster cure times are another advantage. Further, the thermal bonding process used in powder coating makes for a much more durable finish than wet spray paint. Powder coating is also more environmentally friendly because it does not involve the potentially harmful chemicals and solvents used in wet spray painting. Powder coating uses an air gun to blow away misapplied powder rather than resort to the chemical thinners and solvents that wet spray paints require to clean up, or fix application errors. Powder coating offers a wider variety of colors and textures. There are powders engineered to wrinkle or create veins of different colors throughout the coating when baked. Wet spray paint is more limited in what it can produce. The possibilities with powder coatings are endless. Finally, powder coating is extremely durable and weather resistant. When we cure the parts, the powder melts, forming a seamless bond around the parts. This bonding process creates a virtually unbreakable sheet of protection upon the surface of the parts.

Question: Do parts have to be clean and rust free?
Answer: Yes. Surface preparation is the key to any successful finishing technique. Things such as grease, rust, and dirt contaminate the powder and weaken the bond between the powder and the metal.

Question: Can you powder coat parts that have been previously coated or painted?
Answer: Yes. We use environmentally safe strippers that de-laminate existing layers from the substrate. Once rinsed, a new finish can be applied.

Question: Should I have my parts sandblasted before bringing them to you?
Answer: No. After a part is sandblasted it is bare and exposed to the elements. Any moisture in the air will cause your part to begin surface rusting. The presence of this microscopic surface rust will compromise the adhesion of the powder. We will pretreat your parts at our facility immediately before they go to the spray booth.

Question: Can one part be multiple colors?
Answer: Yes. By applying one color at a time and masking off areas not to be coated, we can easily give the part multiple colors.

Question: Can you leave certain areas of the parts bare?
Answer: Yes. We can mask off areas that do not need to be coated.

Question: What size jobs are you equipped to handle?
Answer: Each customer holds equal importance to our business. Small and/or short-term jobs are handled with the same care and level of service as any other job. We have sufficient racking to keep our 40"x96"x85" running continuously and expansion is in the works. We will update our progress on this site.

Question: Are you reliable when it comes to getting things done on time?
Answer: We offer timely service. We strive to achieve total customer satisfaction while keeping turnaround time to a minimum. Getting your project done right and on time is always our top priority. We will do everything in our power to make sure that each part is out the door when promised. 

Question: If I don't have a truck, will you pick up and drop off my parts?
Answer: We do not currently have a full time driver, but we will do what we can to help you arrange transportation.

Question: Do you guarantee your work?
Answer: Yes. Please read our POLICIES section on the Pricing page for details. You can count on us for the best powder coating finish available. After all, it is the finish that is seen first. We strive to achieve total customer satisfaction. Whether it's corrosion protection or decorative use, we will give you the high-quality finish you expect, quickly and efficiently. We know that you'll love the quality and reliability of a powder coated finish.