High-quality metal finishes protect metal surfaces from the elements and wear. Color finishes can also give metal components an aesthetically pleasing appearance that lasts for years. There are two main types of metal finishing processes for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications: painting and powder coating. Take a closer look at the differences between paint and powder coat finishes to choose the right fit for your next project.
Choosing the Best Metal Finish Process for Your Application
Both powder coating and wet painting add a layer of protective material to the surface of metal components and installations. However, both the application process and the final results differ in key ways.
Powder Coating
Powder coating is a dry application method that adds a thin coating of protective powder material to metal items. Powdered polyurethane, polyester, acrylic, or epoxy is sprayed onto metal components, clinging to the material. Powder coating materials often include additives that can protect against mechanical damage, UV radiation, water, chemicals, and more. They also offer a wide range of color and texture options, from matte black to glossy neon orange.
Some of the key advantages of powder coating are:
- Durability: Powder coatings last longer than comparable paint coatings. Because each particle of powder binds directly onto the surface, there’s no risk of developing tears or bubbles like with paint.
- Speed: Powder coating professionals can quickly prepare, coat, and cure powder-coated surfaces for faster turnaround times of large production volumes.
- Environmental Friendliness: Powder coating materials are a more sustainable and safer option, as they don’t require solvents and don’t produce harmful VOC or CO2 emissions. Excess powder materials are also not hazardous.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Powder coating materials and equipment are more cost-effective and provide lower material costs over time. Excess powder from over-spraying can be collected and reused, whereas excess paint often goes to waste.
- Better Protection: Compared to liquid-painted products, powder-coated products exhibit better uniformity and resistance to moisture, wear, corrosion, impacts, and fading.
Wet Painting
Wet painting is a conventional coating process that requires no curing equipment. However, because it takes a long time to air-dry, the process can be slow for tight turnaround schedules. It also offers less protection against corrosion, chemicals, and impact damage than powder coating options. Wet paint can present a health risk to personnel nearby, especially paints with solvents or VOCs. Excess paint also goes to waste, increasing the cost of painting projects.
Quality Industrial Powder Coating Services by Madsen Steel Wire
At Madsen Steel Wire, we provide high-quality powder coating services to give metal wire products a superior, long-lasting finish. Our powder coating services include pre-treatment, powder application, and curing. We fulfill low- to high-volume orders for the following industries from our Bronson, MI, powder coating facility:
- Automotive
- Energy & Utilities
- Food & Beverage
- Industrial & Manufacturing
- Lighting
- POP Displays
- Recreation
- Recreational Vehicles (RVs)
Contact Our Experts for Premium Metal Powder Coating Solutions
Protect your wire components with fast, effective, and eco-friendly powder coating services from Madsen Steel Wire. We provide start-to-finish wire product manufacturing capabilities, and all of our products are 100% made in the United States to our high-quality standards and delivered quickly. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a quote.
