You’ve got so many choices for different coatings now that choosing one can take some time. As you work your way through the number of factors that make a particular coating suitable or not for your equipment, remember to consider whether a liquid or powder coating would be more suitable, too. This may seem like a minor issue, but it can greatly affect your budget and the application process.
The Use of Specialized Equipment to Add the Coating
First, what equipment do you already have for applying the coating, and of the equipment you don’t have, how much are you willing to obtain? Liquid coating application can be as simple as painting with brushes and rollers or maybe a spray gun. If you have to apply liquid coating to much larger parts, you may need additional sprayers that are large enough to handle that job.
Powder coating, though, requires specific applicators to spray the powder onto the surface and then a heat source to heat the part so that the powder melts. If you don’t already have that equipment and don’t have the budget for them, that might make your decision for you regarding liquid vs. powder coatings.
The Shape of the Job
You can dip parts into vats of liquid coating. That makes coating oddly shaped parts much easier. That might not be the case with powder coating, as you have to ensure the powder gets into those harder-to-reach spots.
The Inclusion of Volatile Organic Compounds
A distinct disadvantage of liquid coatings is that the solvents they use can often emit volatile organic compounds, which can be dangerous to breathe in. At best, they can still smell strongly and make people feel ill. Powder coatings like Whitford nonstick coating don’t have these, and they may be a better choice when you’re trying to avoid VOCs. Some liquid coatings and paints may be low-VOC, but that still means there are VOCs present. Some coatings, like Teflon FEP coatings, are available in both liquid and powder form, so the presence of VOCs could be a deciding factor.
The Type of Surface and Its Electrical Conductivity
An issue with powder coatings is that they need electrical conductivity to work. That’s how the powder initially sticks to the part before being melted down. This is used to prevent materials like plastic from being powder-coated. However, now there are electrostatic coatings that you can apply to the surface before adding the powder. So, if you have a material that is not normally conductive, you could still use powder coating, but you’d need to go through an extra step. If you don’t want that extra step, then liquid coating may be more appropriate if other factors align with that decision.
The Ability to Let the Coating Cure
If you’re running a factory that needs to get parts ready and shipped fast, you may want to consider powder coating. Powder often dries and cures faster than liquid coating, especially if you need to apply several coats of liquid coating.
The Budget You Have and the Colors You Want
Two more practical issues to look at are budget, which has already been touched on a bit, as well as the specific color you need. Between the equipment to apply the coating, cure it, and ensure it adheres correctly, will your company be able to obtain everything you need? Powder coating is often more expensive than liquid coating, too.
Do you need a basic color that you can buy off the shelf, or do you need one that has to be specially mixed for your business? Liquid coatings are easier to customize in terms of color; powder coatings are harder to customize and may not be available in large amounts in your customized color.
Sun Coating Company has all the information you need on how liquid and powder coatings compare. Contact us to find out more.