Looking to give your metal products that special coloring they can’t get anywhere else? Powder coating (charging liquid chemical polymers with electricity and sprayed before the coating gets sealed on with heat) will do the trick, offering better durability and a more cost-effective solution to getting color than paint.
That said, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. If you want to stay mistake-free, you need to know what to avoid.
But what are these elusive problems?
Well, we’re glad you asked. Here’s our list of the top 5 common powder coating mistakes and how to avoid them! So, let’s quit standing around and jump right in!
1. Powder Coating Mistakes Start with the Gun
One of the main mistakes people make when it comes to powder coating is misusing the gun which applies the coating. Standing too far away from the subject will apply too thin a coat while getting too close makes the coat too thick. As a general guideline, keep the gun 7 inches away from whatever you’re coating.
You’ll also want to moderate how fast or slow you use the powder coating machine. Try to strike a comfortable rhythm, as too much speed makes the coating weak and too little speed can lead to uneven results (click for more tips on finding the powder gun that’s best for you).Â
2. Letting Things Get Dirty
Another thing to look out for when it comes to dirt and grime getting on either the subject of the powder coating or the gun. If stuff gets on the object while you’re coating it, it will get sealed in with the coating and cause noticeable defects. You can avoid this by cleaning whatever you wish to coat thoroughly before applying the coating.
You should routinely clean your powder coating gun and make sure all the parts are working. Otherwise, you risk the gun breaking mid-coating and ruining the operation.
3. Work Environment Matters
It’s also vital to make sure that you are powder coating in a safe environment that doesn’t put anyone at risk. Make sure anyone in the area is wearing the correct protective equipment (mask, gloves, etc.) You’ll also want to make sure the area has proper ventilation, so the chemical fumes don’t make anyone sick.
4. Proper Heat and Humidity
With 390 degrees Fahrenheit as the sweet spot from powder coating, you’ll want to make sure you swing either too cool or hot to ruin the coating. You’ll also need to keep the coating at around room temperature and mid-level humidity when storing it to prevent degradation of the coating.
A Fresh New Coat
So, now that you know what not to do when it comes to powder coating mistakes, you’re free to get coloring without worry! And for more tips and tricks for keeping the different industrial processes of your business running smoothly, make sure to check out the other posts on our website!