Preparation is the name of the game for most automotive processes and applications, but for something a little more complicated like powder coating, it can be especially crucial for achieving the desired finish. If your preparation isn\u2019t up to standard, you could end up leaving the surface vulnerable to the same issues the coating is intended to prevent.<\/p>\n
Here, we\u2019ll be giving you an overview of what powder coating is and which surfaces it can be used on before delving into the best method for preparing a surface for this process.<\/p>\n
Essentially, powder coating is a process used to boost the durability of a surface. Unlike standard paint, the powder coating isn\u2019t porous, and this means it\u2019s better at preventing water, salts or debris from penetrating the surface and causing rust or corrosion. This can be used across various industries, including industrial, manufacturing and automotive, and is most commonly used to protect tools, work surfaces and metal surfaces on vehicles.<\/p>\n
So, how does powder coating work? A dry polymer-based powder is mixed with curing additives, levelling agents, flow modifiers, pigments and resin. This concoction bonds to an electrostatically charged surface which can then be heat-cured in a kiln or oven. Under high temperatures, the powder melts and coats the surface evenly, eventually hardening and becoming smooth as it cools off.<\/p>\n
Many different types of surfaces can be powder coated, including metal, concrete, steel and some plastics. However, due to the high temperatures used during the curing process, it\u2019s not possible to powder coat any surface that might melt easily. This means many rubbers and plastics can\u2019t have this type of coating, along with other materials like wood.<\/p>\n
Surface preparation couldn\u2019t be more important for ensuring the powder coating adheres well. But this isn\u2019t the only reason why you should focus your efforts on surface preparation. If you neglect this step, it can have a big impact on your finish and lead to cosmetic imperfections such as bubbling, bumps and peeling. In some cases, an uneven or bubbling finish can lead to corrosion, which is usually the exact issue that the coating is intended to prevent. Not only can this be time-consuming to correct, but it can also be a waste of your resources since you\u2019ll need to completely remove it, re-do your surface preparation and start the powder coating process again.<\/p>\n
Making sure you properly prepare the surface before beginning the powder coating process is the best way to keep corrosion and rust at bay.<\/p>\n
Knowing how to prepare the surface you\u2019ll be powder coating is essential. Here, we\u2019ll take you through the step-by-step method you should use to achieve the best results.<\/p>\n
If the surface you want to powder coat is in multiple parts or is attached to other surfaces that won\u2019t be going through this process, you\u2019ll need to disassemble this first. For instance, when you\u2019re powder coating alloy wheels<\/a>, the first step would be to remove these from the vehicle. This might require loosening screws or fastenings, so be sure to have the necessary tools to hand.<\/p>\n Any contaminants such as dirt or oil must be removed. The easiest way to do this is to take a clean sponge, warm water and a specialist cleaning solution suitable for the surface you\u2019re working on and thoroughly wash it.<\/p>\n For porous surfaces like aluminum and cast iron, it\u2019s a good idea to pre-bake to remove any oils that might have been absorbed by the surface during the manufacturing process. If these oils are left on the surface, they can outgas the powder coat bake and cause bubbles or bumps to appear in the final finish.<\/p>\n Depending on the size of the surface, you\u2019ll also need to sand or sandblast the surface. Sanding by hand will be best for smaller surfaces, while sandblasting is a more industrial technique ideal for larger surfaces. Whichever you choose to do, this step is crucial for ensuring the surface texture is primed and ready for the powder coating to adhere properly while also removing any imperfections such as rust or corrosion.<\/p>\n The final step is masking off the surface to ensure you protect any areas that you don\u2019t want to powder coat. When you\u2019re doing this, you should ensure that the surface stays contaminant-free and that the masking solutions you select can withstand the powder coating process which we can help with below.<\/p>\n Looking for high-strength, durable car masking tapes that can easily withstand the high temperatures used during the powder coating process? Below, we\u2019re offering our top masking solutions from the JTAPE range which can help you get the job done with simplicity and efficiency.<\/p>\n With temperature resistance up to 220\u00b0C\/428\u00b0F for up to 30 minutes, this polyester film tape with silicone-based adhesive is ideal for protecting surfaces during the powder coating process. Offering reliability, strength and increased thickness, this masking tape can remain durable which means you won\u2019t need to worry about any areas of the surface becoming damaged during the process.<\/p>\n When working on alloy wheel powder coating, our Green High Temperature Polyester Film Discs<\/a> are the ideal masking solution. These discs are specifically designed to cover the rear hub of alloys while offering excellent temperature resistance of up to 220\u00b0C.<\/p>\n2. Clean the surface<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Pre-bake the surface<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Sanding\/sandblasting<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Surface masking <\/strong><\/h3>\n
JTAPE powder coating tapes<\/h2>\n
Green High Temperature Polyester Film Tape<\/a><\/h3>\n
Green High Temperature Polyester Film Discs<\/h3>\n
Blue High Temperature Polyester Film Tape<\/h3>\n