In South Texas, patio furniture is subjected to relentless heat, humidity, and adverse weather. Even furniture built to last can rust and break., and fabric can dry rot. Nothing is more disappointing than planning to spend a day in the beautiful outdoors only to find that the furniture outside is unusable. Professional patio furniture repair can increase the longevity of outdoor seating, tables, and more.

Wrought iron and cast-iron patio furniture are popular options in the south because they are heavy and fade resistant. However, they are susceptible to humidity and can rust. Rust can lead to weak structure which can lead to breakage. Patio furniture repair is an investment in outdoor living, so a company like Houston Powder Coaters that not only repairs your furniture but can protect it from further damage for a long time is essential. Having an experienced welding staff to repair damage, or even replace missing or broken parts will ensure that your furniture is not just repaired but returned to you better than new. HPC is highly experienced in patio furniture repair and will even replace or repair feet caps (and cap with a plastic inserts) so that your furniture is on even footing.

Another popular option in the south is sling patio furniture because it offers the comfort of cushioned seating but is much more breathable.  However, fabric in the south (even fabric meant for the outdoors) will eventually give way to dry rot. Sitting in a dry rotted sling chair is a recipe for a hurt back. Patio furniture repair should be a one stop shop. Have your sling patio furniture powder coated and get the fabric replaced by Houston Powder Coaters in Houston, Texas. Hundreds of sling designs and many-colored coatings make for near infinite options for any design.

FBE internal pipe coating is the preferred coating for many oil & gas companies as well as utility firms for sewage and water transport.  Its superior resistance to corrosion prevents the assault of chemicals onto the conduit thereby reducing the impact of rust from the inside out.  Because FBE coated pipes are abrasion, chemical, and thermal resistant, its suitability for a myriad of applications translates to a popularity that far exceeds other coatings.

The application of fusion bonded epoxy for internal pipe coatings provides long lasting resistance to corrosive materials and distillates.  Furthermore, internally coated pipes provide better flow efficiency due to the reduction in friction between the pipe’s surface and the gas, oil, or water that makes its way through the pipeline.  Moreover, several fusion bonded epoxies offer paraffin wax mitigation to slow down the build-up of the precipitate deposits that hamper these flow rates.

To prep pipes for the internal coating of fusion bonded epoxy, an aggressive media blasting is required so that proper anchor profiles are met to achieve maximum adherence.  A thin layer of phenolic primer is applied and dried before the conduit is placed in the oven to preheat.  Afterwards, the pipe is internally sprayed with the designated FBE to the required millage thickness before going back into the oven to fully cure.

Outdoor Patio Furniture Refinishing In Houston

The outdoors can be rough on patio furniture in Houston. The heat, the humidity, the rapidly changing weather, all take part in making your patio furniture dull, rusty, and old looking. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Outdoor patio furniture refinishing in Houston provides a long-lasting barrier between your furniture and the elements. Resistant to fading from the sun, rust from the humidity, and more, powder coating outdoor furniture is simply the best option to prolong the life of your possessions. 

Outdoor patio furniture refinishing in Houston is a multi-step process that starts with surface preparation. The shop will take your old furniture and through burn-off, abrasive blasting (fine particles like sand or ground up walnut shells are blasted at the furniture to remove the previous coatings or rust), or hand-etching prepare the surface for the new finish. This removes any old coatings on the furniture, debris, rust, and dirt and also creates a surface for the powder coating to adhere to. After preparing the surface, the furniture is hung up and cleaned off with compressed air to create a dust-free surface.

When the furniture is fully prepared for refinishing, it is coated in the coating booth and then baked in the oven, going back and forth between the two several times. This creates a unique barrier that will resist Houston’s hot and humid weather and ensure the longevity of your outdoor patio furniture. Another benefit of outdoor patio furniture refinishing in Houston is choosing the color. Powder coating offers many colors both classic and bright. If you want simple and neutral go classic, if you want eclectic and unique go bright!

Houston Powder Coaters

We are thrilled to announce the exciting launch of our brand-new website at Houston Powder Coaters! Designed with a commitment to education and innovation, our website aims to be a comprehensive resource for anyone eager to delve into the world of powder coating.

At Houston Powder Coaters, we believe that knowledge empowers and innovation propels industries forward. That's why we've crafted a website that goes beyond being a mere digital presence—it's a hub of information, a learning center, and a celebration of the transformative power of powder coating.

Why Powder Coating? Powder coating has emerged as a leading finishing technique for various industries, offering durability, versatility, and environmental benefits. Our new website serves as a gateway for individuals and businesses to explore the myriad advantages of powder coating. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a curious enthusiast, you'll find valuable insights into the benefits, techniques, and technology behind this revolutionary process.

Anodized aluminum is aluminum that has gone through an electro-chemical process that produces a thicker and more corrosion-resistant barrier. Pieces of aluminum are submerged in an acid solution while an electrical current passes through the bath. This causes an aluminum oxide film to develop on the surface of the aluminum substrate. This film is extremely durable and seen as an extra level of protection for aluminum much like the galvanization (zinc) safeguards steel.

Powder Coating Anodized Aluminum is a simple process, as limited surface preparation is required for the aluminum to properly receive the powder. The reason is that anodized surfaces are porous and therefore require only a smaller amount of prep. An acetone wipe-down and light sanding will be more than sufficient in creating the proper anchor profiles. Due to the corrosion-resistant aluminum oxide as well as the super-durable polyester powder coat, these aluminum pieces will retain gloss levels longer, stand up to abrasion and scuffs, and withstand corrosion much better than bare aluminum. Powder Coating Anodized Aluminum is an optimal double coating system that will elongate the lifespan of these time materials.

Anodized Architectural Powder Coating is a method of powder coating aluminum that does not require electro-chemical anodizing of the extruded substrate. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (or AAMA for short) 2603 is an interior application that does not need to meet color retention guidelines of AAMA 2604/2605. It is cost effective, but if used outside does not have good color retention and is likely to chalk. AAMA 2604 is an intermediary coating that contains 50% fluoropolymer resin. This anodized powder coating is great for storefronts, doors and windows, and other high traffic areas. These coatings do not require a clear coat and can be applied in a single pass.  In addition to color and gloss retention, AAMA 2604 coatings are hard and abrasion resistant.

Polyester powder coating technology has been around since the 1970s and accounts for 30-45 percent of powder coating product sales globally. There are two main categories of polyester powder coatings used in the industry today: TGIC (an acronym for the chemical compound curing agent it uses, triglycidyl isocyanurate), and HAA. HAA polyester powder coating uses β-hydroxyalkyl amides as its curing agent and is often called TGIC-free or Primid polyester powder coating after the brand of curative used in most HAA powder coatings. While both categories of polyester powder coatings perform relatively similarly, there are some pros and cons that can tilt a company toward one or the other. 

TGIC coatings typically offer better chemical resistance and corrosion resistance than their TGIC-free counterpart. The HAA curing mechanism can release water, which makes the coating slightly more water soluble than TGIC-polyester. Because of its slight water-solubility, HAA coatings are more susceptible to acidic and alkaline chemicals. All of this makes HAA-polyester less corrosion resistant than TGIC-polyester.  However, with different formulations, a Primid polyester coating can perform on par with TGIC. When it comes to impact and abrasion resistance, flexibility, and hardness, TGIC and TGIC-free polyester powder coatings are the same. 

For application and curing, TGIC-polyester cures at a lower temperature than HAA-polyester (roughly 290 degrees Fahrenheit and 330 degrees Fahrenheit respectively). Many companies find HAA-polyester applies more easily and sticks to nooks and crannies better than TGIC-polyester. Thickness of application varies greatly between the two, with TGIC-polyester coating able to reach about 10 mils (250 microns) thickness and HAA-polyester coating reaching 3.5 – 4.0 mils (90-100 microns) thickness. When it comes to color stability, TGIC-polyester comes out ahead. HAA-polyester can yellow in color in overbake conditions, while TGIC-polyester has very little color drift over a wide range of cure times and temperatures. 

With the increase of environmental regulations making solvent-based corrosion protection expensive and complicated to apply and dispose of, protective powder coatings such as zinc-rich primers offer premium corrosion protection without harming the environment. Zinc-rich primers are considered sacrificial coatings, a subset of protective powder coatings meant to dramatically slow down the process of corrosion if the top layer is damaged. This makes them the perfect coating for steel in highly corrosive environments. Zinc-rich primers are great for use in marine, tanker, or underground environments, all of which are considered immersive environments.

There are two types of zinc-rich primers: inorganic and organic. Organic zinc-rich primers are primers that use binders such as epoxy, polyurethane, or alkyd, etc. More commonly used for highly corrosive environments on oil rig platforms, chemical plants, and more, organic zinc-rich primers require a top-coat to be long-lasting.   

Inorganic zinc-rich primers do not require top-coats in more mild atmospheric environments and provide better galvanic protection overall.  Inorganic zinc-rich primers usually use only silicate as a binder and is applied as a powder using the blast method on “white” metal, metals that are light-colored alloys. This is the type of zinc-rich primer Houston Powder Coaters uses.

Negligible VOCs

When it comes to environmentally friendly coatings, powder coating is at the top of the list.  The largest difference between powder and industrial wet paint is the presence of volatile organic compounds (or VOCs for short).  VOCs, like one found in wet paint applications, are harmful to the environment as they dry and as they age.  Furthermore, they can create health problems for people who are exposed to them on a repetitive basis. Eco-friendly coatings such as powder and FBE coatings do not require an extensive exhaust system to the outdoors like their wet paint counterparts and are generally considered non-toxic and breathable. The application of powder coatings produces negligible VOCs and does not contribute to air pollution.

Less Hazardous Waste

The oil and gas industry of Houston quite literally powers the world. Houston’s geographical location on the Gulf of Mexico makes the city an ideal operational base for oil and gas exploration and production.  From the regional mineral-rich shale in the Permian Basin to the deep-sea reserves off Africa’s coasts, Houston’s domestic and international reach is expansive. A vast array of technologies and equipment contribute to the successful extraction, processing, and transportation of those hydrocarbons that power our lives. In particular, the metal piping and equipment that carry and process these fuels must be protected to ensure operational efficiency and environmental safety, and fusion bonded epoxy coatings are a key contributor to this process.

“3M™ Scotchkote™ Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coating 134” might not mean much to the average individual, but to those who work with protective coatings for the oil and gas industry of Houston, it means much more. Manufactured by 3M, Scotchkote 134 is a thermosetting epoxy coating applied to pipe and equipment through an electrostatic powder coating process. The coating is hardened or “cured” using large ovens to fusion bond the protective coating to the metal substrate.

Such protection is of utmost importance in the oil and gas industry, with the inside of a pipe being regularly exposed to corrosive hydrocarbons or heavily brine conditions. In fact, applied after Scotchkote 345 Liquid Phenolic Primer, Scotchkote 134 FBE offers excellent resistance to C0₂, H₂S, CH₄, and other petroleum distillates at elevated temperatures and pressures. Without proper protection, pipes require more frequent maintenance or replacement, and could even leak or burst—which is clearly a serious environmental and safety hazard.

Whether it’s an antique piece that has been in the family for decades or a recent purchase that has fallen victim to some less-than-ideal climate conditions, outdoor patio furniture refinishing in Houston becomes necessary when an important or cherished furniture piece loses that special shine. Harsh climates with heavy rains, unrelenting heat, and salty Gulf Coast air can significantly lessen the life of a piece of outdoor furniture. High-humidity areas are also hard on a furniture piece’s protective coatings. It’s no surprise then that outdoor patio furniture in Houston can take a beating. Refinishing the protective coating on the piece is a good way to extend its life and to ensure it stays in the family for years.

Outdoor patio furniture refinishing in Houston can certainly be attempted as a DIY project. But if a piece has fond memories and its own history attached, it’s usually a better option to choose a professional refinishing service. The price point of a DIY project might be more attractive, but ask yourself if it’s worth the time, effort, and potential poor quality of handling the job yourself. It would be a shame to lose a family heirloom to poor workmanship.

For several reasons, a professional powder coating shop in Houston is much more equipped to handle this potentially delicate job. First, DIYers simply can’t compete with the attention to surface preparation standards and methods that a professional shop offers. These industry experts have the knowledge and tools to use the appropriate burn-off, abrasive blast, or hand-etching techniques to­ prepare the surface to a cleanliness standard that can’t be approached by a DIYer. The process of abrasive blasting with industrial equipment also produces by-product that is simply not feasible for the DIYer to manage. A professional powder coating shop can ensure that the surface is as clean as possible prior to the application of the new finish. This is important since an unclean surface could lead to irregularities that result in a less effective and less attractive finish.

Powder coating has been around for several decades—specifically since the 1940s. For most of its history, the technology and materials used in the process are widely utilized in industrial applications that require specialized protective coatings. However, multiple fusion-bonded systems are now available to the average consumer who find simple kits for surprisingly cheap prices.  Since powder coatings are more effective at protecting surfaces than simple paint, using it for the purposes of outdoor furniture refinishing (or other hobbyist projects) can be very attractive to the DIY-minded.  However, there are several reasons why professional powder coating services are worth a little extra investment.

Whether you’re looking to powder coat something yourself or send it to a small shop that promises big results, be aware that there are many factors that can and will affect the final quality of the finish. Commercial/industrial powder coaters operate under strict regulations, work with high-end and expensive commercial equipment, and bring decades of experience with them.  A DIY home powder coating kit might claim to offer safe application, but it’s naive to overlook the many protections that professional powder coaters put into place.  Proper ventilation, respiration, and handling/disposal of the powder & media all require careful consideration.

Also, professional coaters follow surface preparation and quality control standards that far exceed the capabilities of amateurs.  The removal of rust, grease, and other contaminants ensure a clean surface for which the powder will adhere to.  Furthermore, deep anchor patterns created by these processes allow for the powder to sink further into the metal to better protect against dings, chips, and abrasions.  As you can guess, these services cannot be offered by anyone other than a professional powder coating facility.

Fusion bonded epoxy coatings have been in use since the 1960s. Continuous improvements on the technology have made fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) a popular choice in coating technology across a wide variety of applications. Most commonly, FBE coatings are used to protect pipelines that carry petroleum and natural gas. Fusion bonded epoxy coatings, like all pipeline coatings, have a common purpose: protecting the pipeline material from corrosion, which is accelerated in these types of warm, wet, and abrasive environments.

The process behind the actual application of a fusion bonded epoxy coating may not be universally understood, but it does provide an interesting insight into the coating technology that benefits us every day – protecting the pipelines that deliver our energy resources and clean water.

The application process of a fusion bonded epoxy coating is multi-faceted. Before any coating is applied, the pipeline surface must be “prepared” by abrasive blasting techniques to remove all rust, grease, and other surface contaminants.  Not only will this create a clean surface for which the powder is applied, but also it will also create varying anchor patterns which will interlock the cured powder to the metal.

The powder coating process has steadily gained in popularity since its introduction in the 1960s, with coating distributors and manufacturers popping up along with service shops that perform the actual coating process. It’s clear that powder coating in Houston is an effective process, and a popular one given the presence of heavy industry nearby that can always find a use for the technology. But what exactly happens in the powder coating process?

At its heart, powder coating is a process for applying a finish that protects a wide variety of surfaces from damage, whether chemical, radioactive, or physical. In Houston and surrounding areas like the Woodlands, Katy, and Baytown, powder coating enjoys popularity due to the needs of the ever-present oil and gas industry, but it can also be used to apply a protective coating to something as basic as household appliances.

The material applied to a surface in powder coating consists of a polymer resin base combined with additional materials such as curatives, pigments, and flow modifiers. These ingredients are ground into a uniform powder before being applied to the surface to be coated with the use of a specially-made spray gun, sometimes called a corona gun. These guns use an electrostatic process to actually apply the coating, which differs significantly from other coatings, like the wet coating of a traditional paint. Since the electrostatic process eliminates the need for wet coating, powder coating in the Woodlands, TX can be helpful in protecting everything from large machinery to the miles and miles of piping used in the oil and gas industry.

When it comes to powder coat repair, the simple answer is that it isn’t that simple.

Powder coating inherently involves an oven that allows for polymers and resins to melt, cross-link, and harden to become an integrated shell for a metal component. Therefore, unless the damaged pieces can be put through this fusion-bonded process again, any other “repair” will have limited protective qualities. Houston Powder Coaters has an experienced team capable of performing multiple services related to powder coating in Houston, including powder coat repair. Although there are a few exceptions to this rule (like ones that involve thermoplastic polymers), most powder coat repair falls within the following techniques.

• Wet Paint Touch-Up – Like it sounds, wet paint can be applied by spray, brush, or roll-on methods to touch-up damaged areas. HOWEVER, it is important to note that proper surface preparation and masking are mandatory for any true level of success in the powder coat repair All damaged areas need to be sanded down and smoothed over to ensure a clean surface from which to paint.  After masking pieces to prevent any overspray or drips, a double coating of a liquid epoxy (with drying and sanding in between) will assist with sealing the damaged areas.

• Blast / Hand-Etch and Reapply – If the damage of the powder coat is limited or over a small area, the pieces can be rerun. This involves bringing the piece back to the facility where it can be ground smooth, re-blasted, and re-shot. As the anchor pattern of the previous coating is strong, the additional blast creates a new anchor pattern for the new powder to adhere to. Again, these pieces will be placed in an oven to cure. Due to the extraordinary properties of the powder polymers, enhanced “bake windows” allow for previously cured powders to be reheated without incurring damage.

• Burn-Off and Start Over – If the damage to the coating is significant, it is recommended to start from scratch. Pieces will need to be “thermal-stripped,” which means that the coating must be burnt off.  Whereas wet coatings can be removed simply with abrasive blasting techniques, powder coating must be heated up to break its physical and chemical bonds.  Afterwards, the pieces are blasted and coated as if they were untreated.

If you have any additional questions regarding powder coating in Houston or powder coat repair in general, please give Houston Powder Coaters a call.  We are happy to educate and assist.

When it comes to protecting surfaces against corrosion and enhancing durability, fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coating has emerged as a popular choice in the city of Houston. Fusion bonded epoxy is a thermosetting powder coating that is commonly used as a protective coating for steel and other metal objects. It is applied to the surface of the material in a powder form and then heated, causing the powder to melt and fuse with the metal substrate, creating a strong and corrosion-resistant barrier.

Applications of Fusion Bonded Epoxy

The versatility of fusion bonded epoxy makes it suitable for a wide range of applications in Houston. Here are some of the key uses of FBE coating:

Powder coating is well known for its durability, attractiveness, and unmatched corrosion and environmental protection.  What it is less known for, but perhaps its greatest asset, is its eco-friendliness. Powder coating in Houston boasts many environmental impact advantages when compared with other types of coating processes.

No Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOC for short) are chemicals found in the air from a variety of industries. These can include but are not limited to liquid paint and paint strippers, adhesives, cleaners, pesticides, air fresheners, and gasoline fumes. Powder coating and liquid paint coating industries are closely related but vastly different when it comes to environmental impact. All coatings need time to cure to reach maximum durability. Liquid coatings release VOCs as they cure and also as they are applied. While some liquid paints are classified as low-VOC, they still emit hazardous fumes as they are applied and as they cure over time. Choosing powder coating over liquid coating means not only will you get a more durable, attractive finish, but you can rest easy knowing your order won’t contribute to air pollution. 

Architectural powder coating in Houston covers surfaces from railings, metal facades, window and door frames, vents, soffit and fascia, fences, and more. In a climate like Houston’s, having the ultimate protection against the environment with powder coating saves money on costly renovations due to corrosion or peeling paint. High-rises are relatively new to powder coating, with one of the first high rises to use powder coating being built in New York City in 2020. The 51-story Hudson Yards structure took over twenty thousand pounds of PPG’s Coraflon powder coating to the metal elements for the exterior of the building. The company responsible for the massive undertaking used FEVE, or fluoroethylene vinyl ether, which unlike other architectural powder coatings can be applied at ambient temperature rather than requiring high temperatures to cure. FEVE provides excellent color retention, which for a high-rise is important, as well as high-degradation resistance to air pollution and environmental effects. 

Architects and contractors have been using powder coating shops in Houston for decades for their structure needs because the protection and durability is unmatched when compared to liquid coatings. Stair and balcony rails, decorative metal facades, vents, etc. all can be powder coated for optimum protection of surfaces. Powder coating surfaces for large buildings and commercial buildings is optimal, as the longevity and durability of the coatings makes it a cost-effective option. For high-rises specifically, keeping the exterior looking new for as long as possible is desirable because of the impracticality of frequent touch-ups and repairs.

Powder coating in Houston is more than just spraying the coating, curing, and handing off to the client. Proper preparation methods as well as making sure powders are not contaminated ensure that the client gets the most life out of the coating and that the coating looks flawless if it is on a visible surface. 

When it comes to corrosion resistance, industrial powder coatings in Houston are known for their high level of durability. Corrosive environments are more than industrial zones that handle chemicals both liquid and airborne, with the outdoors being the main corrosive environment powder coated machinery and products are exposed to. In Houston, the outdoors subjects machinery, buildings, vehicles, park equipment, etc. to high heat, high humidity, and in some areas higher levels of general pollution because of its vast number of industrial plants. 

Also, because of Houston’s relative proximity to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, there is a higher level of sea salt in the air that also can be highly corrosive to metals not protected by powder coatings. To determine if a coating gives maximum durability to the object it is protecting in an area, real-world testing in the location of the powder coating shop/client’s area is a good idea. While this isn’t practical for everything, many powder coating manufacturers should be able to inform powder coating shops in Houston what the best coating systems are for different needs.

The biggest difference between thermoset powder coatings and thermoplastic powder coatings is how they react under high temperatures. Thermoplastic coatings will melt and turn liquid again under high heat because they do not chemically react with the surface they adhere to. Thermoset coatings will not melt under high temperatures and are therefore used in industries where the powder coated object will be subjected to harsh conditions. The science behind thermoset powder coatings in Houston is a chemical process called cross-linking during the heat curing process. After it has cooled and set, the thermoset powder maintains its hardness when heat is reintroduced. 

Polyester Thermoset Powder

This type of thermoset powder is the most commonly used powder coating in Houston. Over 60 percent of the market uses polyester-based powder coatings because of its durability and ability to withstand constant outdoor exposure.

Powder coating is a great option to coat metals like aluminum and protect them from a harsh environment. The powder coating method ensures a durable, long-lasting finish that is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. However, to get the durability you expect out of powder coated aluminum, pre-treatments are necessary to make an optimum surface for the powder coating to stick to.

The first step in pre-treatment of aluminum for powder coating is degreasing. The method of degreasing for the aluminum will depend entirely on the surface of the metal and the pollutants involved. The three primary methods of degreasing aluminum for powder coating are solvent cleaning, vapor cleaning, and emulsion cleaning. Solvent cleaning is the best method if you need to preserve the surface of the metal. Heavy grease and oil are removed from the surface using a solvent-soaked cloth and wiping the surface clean. Emulsion cleaning and alkali cleaning use a solvent with a higher pH and a dipping method. The metal is dipped in the solvent for a few minutes, removed, and rinsed.

Removing rust is the second pre-treatment step for powder coating aluminum in Houston. Corrosion is a major weakness for metal, and the whole reason behind powder coating is to prevent corrosion. However, that doesn’t mean a surface is ruined if rust is present. It can be removed and then powder coated to further protect the metal from further corrosion. Rust is easily dissolved with acid, so this pre-treatment step is relatively simple. This method will also require a rinse afterward.