What metals can be powder coated?
As a general rule, any metal which hold and electric charge is suitable for powder coating, including aluminium, steel (mild, galvanised, electroplated and steel alloys) and stainless steel along with metals such as bronze, brass and titanium. The metal will also need to withstand high temperatures during the ‘curing’ stage.
What are the benefits of powder coating?
Powder coating is a relatively quick process with just one coat of the powder needed to create an attractive yet tough and durable surface.
What colours are available for powder coating?
CN Metalworks re able to offer the complete range of RAL Classic Colours, a collection of colours created to meet industry requirements, and which comprises over 200 different colours. RAL also stipulate that it must be possible to produce the shade of colour by use of commercial pigments that have not been found to be environmentally hazardous and, ideally, in a way as to ensure good weathering.
What is RAL?
RAL (Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen or, in English, the National Committee for Delivery and Quality Assurance) was founded in 1927 and this German group invented a collection of forty colours under the name of RAL 840. This was expanded to over 200 colours in the 1960’s.
Is powder coating environmentally friendly?
Being a process with high utilisation which typically only loses around 5% of the material (compared with over 60% of wet spraying), powder coating does have a lot of environmental benefits. Powder coating is also a solvent-free with no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which can be harmful to people and the environment.
Does the metal need special treatment before powder coating?
Before powder coating can take place, the metal needs to be as clean as possible with any residual dirt, grease or rust removed. For weathered or tarnished metal, we will need to undertake a process of shot blasting (which will show if the metal needs any repairs) and thorough cleaning to ensure the surface is best prepared to accept the powder.
Is powder coating more durable than spray painting?
Yes, powder coating provides better performance and protection for metal than standard wet paint. It has also more resistance to chipping and scratching and other wear thanks to the the thermal bonding that occurs during the curing / baking. Additionally, powder coating can be applied in much thicker layers. Altogether, this high performance makes powder coating especially suitable for metalwork used for outdoor products.
Can I get different textures with powder coating?
Yes, it is possible to achieve a wide range of finishes with powder coating including smooth, textured, metallic, gloss or matt as well as different thickness which helps with the durability of the coating.
How long before I can use the powder coated item?
Once ‘cured’, the item which has been powder coated is ready for use almost straight away.
Established in 1990, CN Metalworks provide a professional powder coating service for all your metal powder coating requirements. Our team of experienced powder coating specialists are a part of our company in Kendal, Cumbria. We undertake a full spectrum of metalworking including design and fabrication, welding, folding, precision laser cutting, multiple unit batch work manufacturing and structural steelwork.
Being a foremost powder coating and metalwork business in the north west of England, we undertake commissions for clients across the north west and north east including Lancashire, Cheshire, County Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire.
As well as bespoke manufacture, we are able to make repairs to existing metalwork including shot blasting to remove deteriorated paint, rust and general weathering plus remedial works – welding, replacement of sections or complete new manufacture.
If you would like to find out more about our powder coating capabilities, or would like to visit us and see the process, please call CN Metalworks in Kendal on 01539 740 570 or email info@cnmetalworks.co.uk
