What is Powder Coating?

What is Powder Coating And Why does it need shot blasting?...

Powder coating is one of the most advanced coating processes available and provides the ultimate finish durability and longevity.
Powder coating is a method of applying a decorative and protective finish to a wide range of materials and products. The powder coating process involves electro statically charged resin & pigments that are sprayed onto a electrically grounded surface. The substrate is then heated in an oven and cured while the powder is baked on. The result is a uniform, durable,high-quality finish with exterior durability, particularly resistant to ultra violet radiation.
Colour selection is virtually unlimited with high and low gloss finishes available. Texture selections range from smooth surfaces to a wrinkled or matte finish, and rough textures designed for hiding surface imperfections.
Our Powder coating process is environmentally safe.
There are virtually no VOC's (Volatile Organic Compound)_released during the application and curing of the powder.

Why does it need shot blasting?
In short, it removes all contaminants such as rust, old paint etc and gives a good canvas and key to start the powder or painting process,and at the same time, it normally reveals any problems such as corrosion weakness or broken weld joints. Good preparation is paramount to a good long lasting finish.

Note: - where rust has formed under paintwork the chances there will be some pitting or rust scaring after the blasting work is complete.
If this is the case and you have elected for the standard priced work from the price list. Some pitting may show though the finished job, however this may be dealt with by extra effort, however it will add labour & material costs to the work. Powder coating is not a magic bullet it does have limitations. Therefore, we will normally ask that if you do not want pitting to show through this can be dealt with.
For a copy of our terms & conditions, please email us.

How can we offer our unique 5 year warrantee?,
Simple by using the best of the best in powders, experienced staff and high quality plant & equipment and not forgetting our own primer coat manufactured for us by one of the best known manufacturers in the E.U.

Quality of Product.
Some hi-bred powders are normally a mixture of, Epoxy polyester or just epoxy powders tend to suffer from UV breakdown.
This type of product is fine for indoor use, the normal dead give away when this is employed on exterior work, lifting & cracking or loss of colour will probably take place and having a whitish powder residue after just a year or two of service.

What colours are available?
Colour selection is virtually unlimited with high, semi gloss, semi matt or dead matt finishes available.
Special colours can be made to order, please be aware this is a very expensive option, it would be more cost effective to have parts painted in a two pak or a similar product.
Texture or leatherette selections range from smooth surfaces to a wrinkled or rough finish, and rough textures can be used for hiding surface imperfections.
Our Powder coating process is environmentally sound.
There are virtually no VOC's (Volatile Organic compounds) _released during the application and curing of the powder.

What's New?
There are always new and interesting products coming on to the market place, but some old favorites of mine for the more industrial side (ideal for lorry or car chassis through to playground and underground pipe-work is ether Absite by DuPont® a very strong almost bomb proof materials or Plascoat® both have there places. I would recommend either for any tough job that needs to outlast and outperform normal powders. From Playgrounds to Bus shelters.
Our latest find is more for the brave who just love to be different. The new Fantasy range this is featured on our home page short video clip unfortunately it does not do the product justice, but to see it first hand is just incredible, not only does it sparkle in sunlight it changes colour just as pearlescent wet paints. Please feel free to ask for a sample.

Over the last few years we have been searching for a true powder coat chrome effect finish some call it (Chromex). We have now found at last a reliable and stable product that lives up to the claims of the producer. It does however demand a little more care than standard polyester powders by regular cleaning with just mild car shampoo non aggressive polish, I tell my clients to use standard furniture polish with bees wax it does the trick. Within our gallery look under the wheel section and locate a set of wire wheels finished in this chrome powder. Again if you would like a sample please feel free to ask.

How is Powder Coating Done?...

Powder coating is a type of dry coating, which is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that, the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a liquid suspension form. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin."

The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint.

Powder coating is mainly used for coating of metals, such as "white goods", aluminium extrusions, and automobile and motorcycle parts.

powder coating chamber at Maldon Shotblasting and Powder Coating

Newer technologies allow other materials, such as MDF (medium-density fibreboard), to be powder coated using different methods

Powder Coating Cleaning and Rinsing...

Steel parts are cleaned in a hot alkaline cleaner.
Paint stripper may be used in some cases to remove heavy oil, grease and old paint.

To Powder Coat or not Powder Coat

Almost any metal part that can be painted, can be powder coated, with a few caveats. In order to use powder, parts must be able to withstand the curing temperatures of powder.

This usually means 350°-450°F for 15-30 minutes. Parts must also be able to withstand the additional coating thickness of powder.

Powder does go on heavier than typical paint.

For further advice or any questions you may have about powder coating your particular project.

We hold a range of standard colours in stock and we are happy to produce custom colours to order.

Samples and prototypes can also be produced at cost...
Please feel free to discuss with us any specific requirements you may have.

Quality shotblasting and Powder Coating... from cable trays, alloy wheels, to household cast iron fire surrounds...

Shotblasting and Powder Coating are an ideal way to bring back that 'New Look' factory finish.

Powder Coating - Good Advice...

"Make two lists of parts, with photographs, all work is booked in on our computer system, and you will be given a copy of the work sheet and a works order number.

All prep work is carried out by us from blanking of threads and protection of parts that need to be free of paints. We do ask though to remove bearings & bushes where possible.

The majority of grease & oils should be cleaned off before we receive the work.
In the case of oil in frames all inlet & outlets should be protected to stop any ingress of grits during the blasting process, this also includes oil tanks.

All oil should be flushed out and left clean before reaching us.

Use this worksheet to check that you have everything back. - This is very important when small parts are involved.
When you come along to pick your parts up, it may help to bring with you a few boxes and protective blankets or towels. Although our finished work is normally wrapped but it never hurts to always have that bit of protection when you most need it!

Before taking your parts away, you will be welcome to check all parts before leaving, and if for any reason you are not happy with the work we will without question re-work the part or parts.

In doubt about the finish and colour, we have a range of colour samples & cards at our showroom, we would be happy to run off a colour sample for you (subject to stock).