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Powder coating and wet paint are two of the most common finishing options for metal parts. Wet paint can be useful in the right situation, but at All Metals Fabricating, we almost always recommend powder coating. We offer powder coating services through our in-house finishing department at All Powder Coat & Screen.
All Powder Coat & Screen has offered both wet paint and powder coating at different times in its decades of operation. But they’ve seen the clear advantages of powder coating for most projects, and they no longer provide wet paint. Here are five reasons we recommend powder coating over wet paint:
As long as a part can physically be powder coated, it is usually the more economical choice for your project. There can be some exceptions, such as a very specialized finish requirement. But for most projects and quantities, powder coating will be more cost-effective than wet paint.
That’s not because powder is necessarily cheaper per pound than paint. The cost advantage instead stems from multiple aspects of the process, including material usage and shelf life.
Wet paint has a shorter shelf life, often only a few months. As a result, it can be harder to spread material costs across multiple different jobs, and you may have to pay for unused paint. Primer is also common with wet paint, which adds another cost and can create additional disposal fees.
Powder coating has a longer shelf life, sometimes up to two years. Because powder can be stored safely and used across multiple jobs, customers are more likely to pay only for the material their project requires. Powder coating also may not require primer, eliminating that disposal cost, as well.
As a general rule, powder coating is a more durable finish than standard wet paint. Metal parts that are in high-touch areas or will be exposed to demanding environments are ideal candidates for powder coating. Wet paint, by contrast, can be vulnerable to chipping and corrosion.
The durability of powder coating comes in part from its strong, bonded finish. The curing process in a high-temperature oven creates excellent adhesion. Certain options, like polyester powders, may be especially useful if durability is a priority; our team can help discuss your needs and determine the best path for your project.
“Like watching paint dry” is a saying for a reason.
Wet paint can require multiple coats, and takes significant time to dry before parts can be handled and packed. Drying can add hours or more to the manufacturing process.
Powder coating is faster. It’s often applied in a single coat and cured quickly in a high-temperature oven; parts are then handled soon after cooling, in some cases even minutes. That can help with shorter turnaround times for customers on a tight timeline.
Metal finishing is not as readily repeatable as CNC machining or precision fabrication, but powder coating is generally more consistent than wet paint. Painted finishes can vary based on surface preparation, painter experience, and even environmental conditions like humidity or dust.
In powder coating, it’s true that preparation and experience are still important to the results, but the process is less dependent on outside variables. Our dialed-in processes allow us to consistently achieve great results again and again.
Many wet paint systems use solvents that evaporate during application and drying, leading to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions that can be harmful to the environment.
Even if the paint isn’t used and simply has to be disposed of, it must be handled in a careful manner. Wet paint has to be disposed of externally through an EPA-approved vendor, and these environmental concerns also lead to additional costs and fees.
Powder coatings are generally solvent-free and produce little to no VOC emissions during application. Their shelf life also leads to less waste. And if the powder does reach the end of its shelf life, its disposal process is not as complex as wet paint.
Wet paint has specific use cases, but for most metal fabrication or machining projects, we believe powder coating is the better option. It’s durable, cost-effective, helps reduce your turnaround time, and offers more consistent results.
If you need help deciding between wet paint or powder coating, or if you’re just looking for the right powder choice for your project, contact our Texas sheet metal shop!
