Coating Dock Hardware

Question:

I am looking for information about how powder coating compares to hot dip galvanizing in terms of protection and cost. We are a floating dock manufacturer and are looking into how to coat some of our products for both freshwater and saltwater applications. N.A.

Answer:

Nothing ruins a boater's day more than having dock hardware fail, especially since these components are all that stand between keeping your boat securely tied to a floating dock or running onto the rocks.

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Items like cleats, hinges, pins, plates, bars and braces used to make floating docks must withstand the rigors of constant movement by waves, while providing strength to hold the dock and boats securely under a variety of conditions. Add saltwater and freshwater corrosion to these problems, and you have a very difficult environment for these critical devices.

Powder coatings have worked well on shipboard equipment to provide a durable and esthetic finish on products where appearance counts more than corrosion resistance and strength. However, your hardware is more structural than esthetic and should be designed for strength more than looks. In this situation hot dipped galvanizing is more durable than powder coating, and the white rust associated with zinc corrosion will not adversely effect the function of your product. Therefore, I recommend that you stay with a heavy hot dipped galvanized coating on your hardware components, since function and strength are more important than looks and appearance.