Since its early inception in the 1960s, powder coating has revolutionized the finishing process for a wide range of metal and fabricated products and has become a preferred alternative to wet spray painting. Powder coating is a dry process that entails the application of a colored powder. It works via electrostatic spray deposition (ESD).
THE POWDER COATING PROCESS
The process is as follows: A spray gun supplies an electrostatic charge that facilitates the bonding of the powder to the surface of the workpiece. The coated product is then transported to a high-temperature curing oven that dries and hardens the powder into a molecularly dense protective outer layer.
Here is a more in-depth look at the process:
We take a voltage spray gun and screw our bottle of powder coating into it.
The next step is to hook the gun up to an air pump to facilitate spraying the powder.
Then, we prepare the metal part for coating.
In this step, we spray the product thoroughly with the paint. The electric charge provided by the gun causes the paint to adhere firmly and cleanly to the part.
The product goes into the oven at very high-heat where it is cured.
The resulting product has a tough and attractive outer later resulting from the heat-hardened powder.
Powder coating for metal fabrication simultaneously serves two essential purposes:
It provides a highly durable protective coating on the workpiece.
It greatly enhances the final appearance of the product.
Powder coated surfaces offer excellent resistance to chipping, fading, scratching and wearing, while also providing robust protection against corrosion. As with wet paint, powder coatings are available in a wide variety of attractive colors and multiple finishes such as satin, gloss, metallic, clear and even glitter. Powder coating is also an extremely cost-effective process; unlike paint, you don’t have to apply several coats or frequently re-paint the product to maintain the quality and appearance of the workpiece.
PA POWDER COATING SERVICES IN READING, PA
Now that you have an understanding of the basics of the powder coating process, you’re not alone if you find yourself asking, “Where are powder coating services near me?”
There is a long, proud history of steel working and metalworking in PA, and there are still many thriving manufacturers that need reliable powder coating services in PA. We are here to provide those services, as we have been for decades.
Our 120,000-square-foot facility is proud to offer those in or near Reading, PA the very best in quality powder coating services.
Since 1992, we’ve been building strong relationships with our clients based on our exceptional services and convenient location. When you choose to work with Summit Steel for your powder coating needs, you get the peace of mind that only comes from knowing a fully trained staff is looking out for your products and your company’s best interests.
We’re located conveniently, approximately halfway between Harrisburg — Pennsylvania’s state capital — and Philadelphia, the state’s most well-known city for a host of historic and business reasons. Ultimately, what you get is the satisfaction of working with a true American company that’s not only proud of its own history but also a cutting-edge leader that keeps up with the industry’s latest innovations.
Although we proudly do our powder coating in Reading and are always available to help Reading businesses with their powder coating needs, we are ready, willing and able to perform powder coating and metal working services all throughout PA and beyond.
OUR POWDER COATING CAPABILITIES
Now, let’s take a closer look at the equipment, processes and talented staff that make our powder coating services in Reading, PA a smart choice for any business.
We have the facilities, equipment and expertise to deliver consistently exceptional powder coating results. Summit Steel & Manufacturing operates a fully automated dual booth powder coating line, providing a high degree of versatility. The entire process comprises more than 1,600 feet of product hanging, loading and unloading space. The dual automated powder application booths are enclosed, minimizing the risk of contamination to products and finishes.
Summit Steel’s five-stage iron phosphate wash system provides a clean product and an additional layer of protection under the powder coating.
We can also customize powder coating for metal fabrication to the size and scope of your project. For smaller runs or larger products, the batch powder coating process offers a cost-effective alternative to a work line. We can efficiently and precisely powder coat large parts, assemblies and structural frames that don’t fit through the traditional powder coating line. The main thing to remember is that no fabrication or welding project is too big or too small for our process.
CAN YOU POWDER COAT STAINLESS STEEL?
Does our powder coating steel process apply to powder coating stainless steel, which is used for its protective qualities to begin with?
The answer is that you can absolutely have stainless steel powder coated if you want to. Perhaps you feel it gives the product added protection, or you simply like the look and color that a powder coating can provide. Whatever the reason, any metal that can handle the electrostatic charge of the voltage gun and the heat of the curing oven can be powder coated. That includes galvanized, electroplated and stainless steel as well as aluminum and other metals.
If you have any part that requires finishing and you are not sure whether or not powder coating is appropriate for it, just give us a call. We will be happy to review the pros and cons of powder coating your project with you.
WE OFFER ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY POWDER COATING SERVICES
One of the most important benefits of the powder coating process is that it reduces the potential environmental damages, and therefore eliminates concerns that are present in other types of finishing processes. Powder coatings are free of the harmful solvents that typically exist in wet paints, and they emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
VOCs can include toxic compounds like formaldehyde, and as paint is cured or ages, they are released into the air, damaging the ozone layer if outdoors and causing potential health problems if indoors. Many low VOC finishes are not particularly hardy, but powder coating finishes are both durable and nearly VOC emission-free. Powder coating is a generally non-toxic substance that you can use on your products without concern about harmful fumes or air pollution.
In addition, powder coating does not produce a hazardous waste problem. Any excess can be simply swept up and discarded, and it is recyclable — we can actually reclaim the powder that gets trapped in filters or ends up on the floor for use in other coating projects if it makes sense to do so.
Powder coating is the perfect solution for any company that’s seeking ways to be a responsible steward of the environment for its stakeholders, customers and ultimately, its brand. Powder coating is deemed acceptable or even preferred according to multiple national environmental protection standards.
Summit Steel & Manufacturing is committed to protecting the environment as well. The facility operates on a closed loop waste collection system. The waste that we do collect is put in a reverse osmosis treatment process where it is cleaned and reused. It’s just another aspect of our exceptional commitment to state-of-the-art processes that our clients can be proud of.
