FAQs

What is Powder Coating

Powder coating is an advanced method of applying a decorative and protective finish to a wide range of materials and products that are used by residential, commercial and industrial customers. The powder coating process uses a solvent free dry mix of plastic resins, pigments and fillers that melt and fuse together when heated. The solid particles of coating are electrostatically charged in a spray gun and carried by air to the surface of the part to be coated. The electrostatic charge holds the powder particles in place while the part is cured in an oven at the required temperature. The heat of the oven causes a chemical reaction to occur and the powder to cure, creating a highly durable finish.

Colors

Powder coating is available in a full array of colors, textures, and sheens to meet any need. In addition, metallic, candies, clear, iridescent, hammered and multiple layers can be employed to create truly unique finishes.

Can you texture the powder?

Yes, we can add texture to the parts finish. Not only can we give parts texture, but we also have the ability to create veins and hammer-tones. Veins and hammer-tones are streaks of alternate colors that appear throughout the part, which adds a professional look and added dimension to the part.

What Can Be Coated?

Powder coating is primarily used for coating metals, such as steel, aluminum, brass, copper, alloys and generally speaking any other conductive material that can handle the high oven temperatures required to flow and cure powder coatings. Typical items routinely coated include fences, gates, table bases, patio furniture, tool racks, toolboxes, trellises, outdoor art, indoor art, lamp posts, mail boxes, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, stair stringers, stair treads, house numbers, shelves, shelve supports, dressers, desks, bar stools, ladders, grates, doors, door hardware, outdoor signage and posts, lockers, wagons, metal toys, picture frames, gym equipment, bicycle frames, motorcycle, ATV and auto parts (frames, roll bars, roll cages, brackets, wheels, bumpers, brush guards, brake calipers, value covers, oil pans, air cleaners, intakes, skid plates, luggage racks, shifters, hitches, receivers, running boards, rock guards, tow hooks, etc.), as well as many other residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Is it Environmentally Friendly?

Yes! All products used by J & J are environmentally friendly. We are committed to the environment and control all of our product wasted and material with care. Practically all powder coatings are not hazardous waste by definition of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act regulations. With EPA regulations growing ever stricter, powder coating is fast becoming the technology of choice. While liquid finishes contain solvents which have pollutants known as VOCs, powder coating contains no solvents and releases negligible amounts, if any, VOCs into the atmosphere.

How Much Does It Cost?

Cost is determined by size, quantity, and color. Some items may need to be sandblasted or require extra baking cycles; which cost more due to the additional processes required. Please contact us for a free no obligation quote to get your project completed.

How Long Does It Last?

Powder coating can maintain its finish in excess of 10 years, depending on pre-treatment and the type of powder. Its resistance to weather, corrosion, and chemicals makes powder coating a more durable finish than paint or other liquid coatings.

How Long Does It Take?

The typical turn-around time is within five to eight business days. There are exceptions to this and when there are we communicate this with the customer (e.g. order for custom color, weather causes delays in sandblasting).

Why should I choose powder over traditional painting?

Powder coating is superior to traditional paint in so many ways. If your part is capable of being powder coated, there is really no reason why you would be compelled to choose otherwise. It’s generally less expensive to powder coat a part once than have it painted several times during its life.

Powder coating is not subject to the extra time it takes to set up and break down from traditional paint. The chemicals used in traditional painting have to evaporate which can take up to weeks before a complete cure is attained. Powder coated parts are cured as soon as the part cools down. In addition, the thermal bonding process used in powder coating makes for a much more durable finish than traditional paint. Powder coating is also more environmentally friendly than traditional painting because it does not involve the potentially harmful chemicals used in a traditional painting.

Powder coating offers a wider variety of colors and textures. The powder can be engineered to wrinkle or create veins of different colors throughout the coating when baked. Traditional paint is more limited in what it can produce.

Finally, powder coating is more durable and weather resistant than traditional paint. When we heat the parts, the powder melts, forming a seamless bond around the parts. This bonding process creates a virtually unbreakable sheet of protection upon the surface of the parts.

Do parts have to be clean and rust free?

Yes. We inspect, clean, and sandblast as needed every part we receive. This removes any old finishes, dirt, rust, and anything else that might hinder the powder coating process.

Can you powder coat parts that are currently powder coated?

Yes, we can powder coat parts that are currently powder coated. Depending on the application, the part may need to be sandblasted to bare metal to ensure a quality job can be done.

Can you powder coat parts that were previously painted?

It doesn’t matter what kind of finish was originally on the part. Once we sandblast the previous coating to bare metal, it is an excellent candidate for powder coating.

Should I have my parts sandblasted before bringing them to you?

We do not recommend you have your part(s) sandblasted before you bring it to us. After a part is sandblasted it is bare and exposed to the elements. Any moisture in the air will cause the part to begin rusting. Although this may not be visible to the naked eye, it will be present. The presence of this surface rust will compromise the adhesion of the powder. As soon as possible able sandblasting we treat the part with a rust inhibitor to ensure the part is able to be powder coated in the optimal condition.

Can one part be multiple colors?

By powdering one color at a time and masking off the places that are different colors, we can easily give the part multiple colors. There will be an additional setup charge associated with each of the different colors you choose. However, if the part can be dismantled into smaller pieces, then it would make powdering it alternate colors a much more practical task, and, the overall quality will be much more consistent than the masking method.

Can you leave certain areas of the parts bare?

We utilize high temperature tape to mask off areas that do not need to be powdered. In addition, we also use high temperature silicon plugs and caps for bolts, shafts, and threaded holes to prevent powder from landing on those surfaces as needed.

Can you do small custom type jobs?

Yes, we routinely do small custom jobs. Each customer is an important part of our business. Small custom jobs are given the same care and level of service as any other job. There are no extra fees or charges for doing small jobs, although you should try to get as many parts together that are to be powder coated the same color as we do have a minimum project charge.

Can you do large production jobs?

Yes, we do large production jobs.

Can I Use Body Filler?

High oven temperatures make the use of plastic and resin body fillers problematic. The powder will not bind to a filler’s surface causing bubbles in the coating. We highly suggest not using any types of body filler.

About J&J Powder Coating

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