Powder Coating Sheet Metal

Question:

We presently have to coat our sheet metal parts with three coats (primer, surfacer, topcoat), though we are exploring switching to powder coating. Our requirements are finish, gloss and outdoor exposure. Please tell us the disadvantages of powder coating and if it is feasible to apply powder coating onto sheet metal of agricultural vehicles. D.R.

Answer:

It is possible to powder coat parts used on agricultural equipment. Many suppliers in North America powder coat everything from lawnmowers to garden tractors to agricultural attachments to combines. Powder coatings have proven to be durable and well suited for this application with a track record that stretches over 20 years.

One disadvantage of using powder coating on your products include curing large mass products, although this can be overcome using IR or UV technologies. Also, powder coating of completed assemblies can be problematic to some parts like bearings, seals, bushings, etc., so consider powder coating subassemblies before these parts are installed. The last major issue that you must overcome is the cost of the new powder coating system. Obviously, you will need to purchase a spray booth and powder coating gun, but because pretreatment and curing requirements are more stringent than air-dry liquid paint systems, be prepared to invest in new ovens and washers as well.