Powder coating the equipment that you use every day ensures that it’s protected from the elements and will last you a long time. Although you may already be aware of the benefits that powder coating provides you may be asking yourself, how much does powder coating cost and what exactly is it?
HOW DOES POWDER COATING WORK?
Powder coatings are made from polymer resin systems and a few other ingredients to produce a flour-like powder that is used to coat tools and equipment. It is available in a variety of colors and textures depending on what kind of finish you are looking for.
To get the coating onto the metal, it is sprayed through an electrostatic gun to give the particles in the powder an electromagnetic charge which is attracted to the grounded metal surface.
Once this has been done, the pieces that have been coated are put into a curing oven where heat is applied. This increases the density of the chemicals making them extremely durable.
Powder coating represents over 15% of the finishing market and can be used on a wide range of tools and equipment. It significantly extends the life of the things you need to make your business run efficiently. If you are looking for a high-quality, durable finish, then powder coating is likely going to be the right choice for you and your business.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Alright, now that you understand a little bit more about powder coating, let’s discuss how much it costs.
Unfortunately, there is no straight answer for how much powder coating will cost you. It is actually nearly impossible to even give an average cost per square foot, but why is it so difficult to give even a rough estimate?
Costs vary from project to project and they largely depend on how much surface area will need to be coated. Essentially, the bigger the item is, the more it is going to cost to coat. There are also quite a few other factors that will affect cost including:
- Color: Non-standard colors and metallics cost more than standard options and some will have a different specific gravity than others.
- Use of thermoset or thermoplastic coating. Thermoset is more durable and heat-resistant than thermoplastic.
- Thickness of the coverage. This is pretty self-explanatory. The thicker the coating the higher the cost.
- Cleaning. Preparing a dirty component can add a significant amount of time to the process and could increase the costs.
IS POWDER COATING WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
You might be wondering why you should invest in powder coating and whether it is worth the cost as it can be pricier than wet painting upfront.
Aside from being able to add an eye-catching finish to metals, the main benefit of powder coating is its ability to combat corrosion. This will make your tools and equipment last and you will save money in the long-term by not having to replace them.
As you are probably aware, corrosion is the deterioration of the metal. It occurs when the atoms on the metal surface are oxidized, damaging the entire surface.
Most metals are easily oxidized: they tend to lose electrons to oxygen (and other substances) in the environment. As oxygen is reduced, it forms an oxide with the metal. Every metal can corrode, so it’s important to make sure that they are coated and protected.
With powder coating, you can create a completely covered and nearly impenetrable surface. Since the surface is evenly covered, this ensures that the metal isn’t interacting with other metals or the surrounding environment.
Another key benefit of this option is that powder coating is far safer for the environment when compared to liquid paint as it emits negligible amounts of VOCs, reduces waste, and the coating prevents heavy metals from going into the soil or water sources.
If your equipment is regularly exposed to corrosive elements and you want to get the most out of your investment without harming the environment, powder coating is the best option for coating your equipment.
Our team of experts at PowderTech can help you determine the best powder coating for your equipment to ensure it lasts as long as possible without showing signs of corrosion. Contact us today at (316) 832-9210 or request a quote.