As the premiere powder coating company in Indianapolis, we — here at Rush Powder Coatings — get asked a lot of questions regarding the coating process and the results you can achieve.
With that being said, we’ve recently been getting asked one question a lot more frequently than usual and that is “how long does powder coating last?”. The short answer is 15-20 years. However, the amount of time powder coating will maintain its finish can depend on a few different factors including pre-treatment and what type of powder was used.
To understand this better, lets dive into pre-treatment and the powders typically used to coat industrial and manufacturing equipment:
Pre-Treatment for Powder Coating
The pre-treatment of your substrate is the most crucial process for achieving maximum longevity out of your powder coat. It’s important to note that the surface of your equipment needs to be clean in order to allow proper adherence. This is because the powder particles used in the powder coating process are electrostatically charged onto the item’s surface.
Most pre-treatments for powder coating involve stripping any corrosion and coating, and cleaning the bare metal underneath. Keep in mind, without pre-treating your substrate properly, your powder coat will be more likely to chip; decreasing its longevity in the process.
At Rush Powder Coatings, our pre-treatment involves thorough cleaning to ensure your powder coat provides maximum longevity for your industrial & manufacturing equipment.
Powder Coating Types
A wide range of powders can be used during the powder coating process for a variety of applications. These include:
Polyester
This is one of the most common types of powders used during the powder coating process. Polyester can oftentimes be ideal for both interior and exterior applications, given its durability; which provides adequate resistance to UV weathering, chemicals, and corrosion. It also offers a wide selection of gloss and colors.
Epoxy
Ideal for indoor applications, epoxy-based powders offer durability and fantastic resistance to chemicals and corrosion. At Rush Powder Coatings, we recommend using epoxy as a primer and coupling it with a UV stable top coat to increase longevity and protect your powder coating from fading or deterioration.
Urethanes
With almost the same characteristics as polyester — considering the base polymer in both powders are nearly identical — urethane offers more resistance to chemicals and matte finishes. While similar, it’s important to note that urethane powders are typically more costly than polyester.
Fluoropolymers
With the ability to retain colors and gloss exponentially well, in addition to offering corrosion-resistant, fluoropolymers are perfect for outdoor applications.
Powder Coated Metal for Businesses & Manufacturers in Indianapolis
As you can see, how long powder coatings will maintain their finishes can depend on a variety of factors. At Rush Powder Coatings, we use the proper pre-treatment processes and the right powders to ensure maximum longevity.
No matter how small or large your industrial or manufacturing equipment is, we have you covered. Get started by contacting us today or call 866-981-2771!