Powder Coating is a revolutionary process that makes painting almost obsolete! It's a multi stage process that, simply stated, encases your metal part in a tough, durable, and beautiful thin layer of powder. Like paint, this powder layer can be any number of colors, as well as a flat finish to high gloss. Textured finishes are available as well. Here's how the whole process works . . .

1. A bare, clean metal surface is first run through a spray wash booth. This is to remove any grit, grime, or oils that may prevent the powder from adhering to the part.

2. The part is hung from a rack system that allows a small static electric charge to flow. This rack system also allows the transportation of the part throughout the various stages of the powder coating process, so human hands never touch the part until it is finished.

3. The part is guided, on its rack through the use of an overhead track system, to the powder spray booth. There, small electrodes are attached to the part. The part is then negatively charged. The electrodes that are attached to the part originate from the powder coating spray gun. The gun itself is positively charged. So, when the operator sprays the positively charged powder onto the negatively charged piece, the powder sticks to the part. As long as the part stays hung from its rack, the charge is maintained, all the way through the rest of the process. The powder itself is a tiny sphere of plastic, about the size of a particle of pollen.

4. As the desired thickness and coverage of the powder coat is achieved, the part is removed from the spray booth. The part is transported to the oven. The oven at American Powder Coating is 30 feet long, large enough to accommodate items as big as complete car frames! The part is placed in the oven. At a temperature of approximately 350 degrees, the part is 'baked'. The time baked varies as to the thickness of the coating, as well as the various coating manufacturers recommendations. While baking, those tiny pellets of powder melt onto the part, covering it completely.

5. After the prescribed amount of time has past, the part is removed from the oven and allowed to cool. There, the beauty of the part can be seen, as the final finish is revealed, both in the color and the glossiness.

6. After cooling, the part is ready to be picked up by the customer. The powder finish will retain its beautiful look for years to come! The powder is resistant to scratching, chipping, and fading, much more so than paint!

Well, that does it. Now you have a basic knowledge of powdercoating!