Below are the services we offer for painting and polishing and what to expect.
Paint Services
Depending on the geometry of the part, there will be limitations to the finishes that we can offer. Therefore, understanding that those limitations may apply will be helpful in avoiding confusion and the process constraints. When it comes to painting, we offer different processes for getting the desired finish you require. We work with various partners to help achieve those qualities and get your parts back to you in a timely manner.
Powder Coating
Powder Coat is a finishing process in which a coating is applied electrostatically to a surface as a free-floating, dry powder before heat is used to finalize the coating. The powder can be made of any number of products: polyester, polyurethane, polyester-epoxy, straight epoxy, and acrylics. Powder coating is a finishing process that yields a thick, hard finish that is tougher than conventional paints. Powder coating can be found on a range of products, from household appliances to automobile parts.
Process –
Powder coating can be accomplished through one of two processes: thermosets and thermoplastics. Thermosetting involves additional chemicals that react to the powder during heating. Thermoplastics have no additional chemicals and instead just melt and flow into the final coating. Both processes of powder coating look quite similar except for this distinguishing feature. The thermoset or thermoplastic powder is created by taking the powder input and binding the items together. Secondly, heating the mixture, rolling out the product, and then breaking the polymer product into chips. Finally, can be ground into a fine powder.
Each of the processes of powder coating typically after the powder is created by preparing the metal to be coated. The object is cleaned with particular attention to the removal of any debris and oil which can inhibit the attachment of the dry powder. Next, the dry powder is applied electrostatically—a process by which the particles of the powder and the object are charged through a high voltage electrostatic surge. This electrostatic stage of powder coating greatly increases the efficiency and productivity of the coating process by nearly 95%. Less paint is wasted and the metal object is fully coated.
The sprayed powder coating is then cured at temperatures as high as 400 degrees for ten minutes so that the finish can set onto the object. While setting, the powder melts and flows around the object. The heat not only melts the powder but binds the polymer into a heavier polymer that bonds in a tight network-like finish. The curing not only coats the sheet metal product, but it also binds the polymer into a tighter, heavier finish.
Pros –
The benefits of the process of powder coating are numerous. First, powder coating results in a thick, dense finish on metal products which can be more durable and longer-lasting than conventional painting. Second, powder coating is typically a one-coat finish so the process can be quite quick and easy. Third, powder coating can include multiple custom finishing colors and textures as the powders which are sprayed onto the item can be expertly manipulated. Fourth, powder coating is an environmentally safe finishing process because it produces few volatile organic compounds. Finally, powder coating creates the most even finished surfaces (horizontal and vertical surfaces) because the powder is sprayed and heated across without drips or application traces.
Cons –
There are two major drawbacks to the powder coating process. First, powder coating produces a thick finish to metal products. It can be quite difficult for this coating to produce thin finishes, particularly because as the polymer is thinned it tends to produce a bumpy texture similar to the peel of an orange. Second, smaller sheet metal jobs might prefer a less expensive or complex finishing process. Powder coating requires spray materials, electrostatic booth, and an oven—all items which can be expensive and involved for smaller projects.
Wet Paint and Plating
Wet Paint is the traditional (although technologized) process of applying liquid paint to a metal product for finishing. Most sheet metal fabrication processes will use a spray, pump, or pressurized vessel to deliver the wet paint evenly. Plating is the process by which metal is deposited on a conductive surface. (Think of how jewelry can be gold-plated.) Plating can be used for many purposes: decoration, corrosion inhibition, improve wearability, harden, reduce friction, or improve paint adhesion.
Process –
The process of wet painting is accomplished by thoroughly cleaning a metal object before wet-blasting liquid paint to an even thickness of approximately 15-20 micrometers. The wet paint is applied until the product is evenly coated with the desired thickness of the paint. The process of plating can be quite complicated and depends on the desired metal for plating and sought effect. Typically an item is covered with the desired metal and some combination of heat and pressure are applied to fuse them—although vapors, vacuums, and liquids can also be used as adequate substitutes to the heat or pressure of traditional plating processes.
Pros –
The benefits of wet paint and plating are quite complementary to coating. First, wet paint is ideal for products that cannot be heated for powder coating. Wet paint does not require an oven for finishing. Second, wet paint can produce a wider range of colors than powder coating so more custom color work could require spray painting and plating. Third, wet paint and plating can produce a much thinner finish than powder coating. Products that demand a thin finish can benefit greatly from wet paint. Finally, wet paint is a much more economical finishing process, particularly for smaller jobs.
cons –
There are two major drawbacks to wet paint and plating. First, wet painting is not as durable as powder coating. Wet paint can require maintenance and re-finishing later. Second, wet painting can require multiple coats to get an even, unmarred finish. Because wet paint begins with a liquid, the finish can be tricky to guarantee the perfect finish. Therefore, results in multiple finishing coats.
If you are interested in any of our services above, please get in touch with us and we can provide you with more information on what we offer and how we can best help you get your project done. Just contact us here.
Polishing
Polishing involves the process of mechanically removing a fine layer of the paint to create a mirror like finish on the surface of a part. This process is done using an abrasion tool such as a cloth or foam sponge to apply a compound by hand or using a orbital machine to perform the abrasion needed. This process can be tedious and depending on the geometry of the part, it may be impossible to create that mirror like finish under the processes constraints. It is important to note that if you want to add a sheen that is near perfect and glossy to the paint work that has been completed, the polishing process is required to achieve those results.
If you are interested in any of our services above, please get in touch with us and we can provide you with more information on what we offer and how we can best help you get your project done. Just contact us here.