In the industrial sector, each industry has its unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to protecting and finishing metal components. From the oil and gas sector to aerospace, automotive, and beyond, different industries require specialized powder coating solutions that address their specific needs. Houston Powder Coaters (HPC), recognized as one of the leading powder coating operations in the country, has developed expertise across a wide range of industries, delivering tailored powder coating solutions that meet the rigorous demands of various sectors.

Industry-Specific Challenges and Solutions

Different industries face unique challenges related to the protection and performance of metal components. Powder coating, with its versatility and durability, offers a solution that can be customized to meet these challenges head-on.

Oil and Gas Industry

• Challenges: The oil and gas industry operates in some of the most extreme environments, with equipment exposed to harsh conditions such as high temperatures, corrosive chemicals, and saltwater.
• HPC's Solution: HPC provides powder coatings that offer superior corrosion resistance, thermal stability, and protection against chemical exposure. These coatings are designed to extend the lifespan of equipment and reduce maintenance costs, ensuring reliable performance in the field.

Aerospace Industry

Challenges: Aerospace components require coatings that can withstand high mechanical stress, extreme temperatures, and rigorous environmental conditions. Additionally, aesthetics and weight considerations are critical in aerospace applications.
HPC's Solution: HPC delivers lightweight, high-performance powder coatings that meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry. Our coatings provide excellent resistance to abrasion, corrosion, and thermal cycling, while also maintaining a high-quality finish that meets aesthetic standards.

Automotive Industry

• Challenges: Automotive components must endure constant exposure to the elements, mechanical wear, and chemical exposure from road salts and oils. Additionally, the aesthetic appeal of automotive parts is a significant factor.
• HPC's Solution: HPC offers powder coatings that combine durability with aesthetic appeal, providing long-lasting protection against corrosion, scratches, and environmental damage. Our coatings are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, ensuring that automotive components not only perform well but also look great.

Manufacturing and Heavy Equipment

In the industrial sector, no two projects are exactly alike. Whether it's a unique application, specific environmental challenges, or precise aesthetic requirements, many industrial clients need customized powder coating solutions tailored to their particular needs. Customization is key to ensuring that coatings not only protect but also enhance the performance and longevity of industrial components. Houston Powder Coaters (HPC), a leader in the powder coating industry, excels in delivering custom powder coating solutions designed to meet the unique demands of industrial clients across various sectors.

The Need for Custom Powder Coating Solutions

Industrial applications often involve specialized requirements that standard powder coating processes may not fully address. Custom powder coating solutions are essential when:

Heavy-duty equipment is the backbone of many industrial sectors, from construction and mining to oil and gas and manufacturing. These machines are built to endure the most challenging environments and demanding tasks, but they require robust protection to maintain their longevity and performance. Powder coating is an ideal solution for coating heavy-duty equipment, offering superior durability, resistance to wear and tear, and protection against harsh environmental conditions. Houston Powder Coaters (HPC), a leader in the powder coating industry, specializes in providing high-quality powder coating services for heavy-duty equipment, ensuring these essential machines remain operational and protected for years to come.

The Demands of Heavy-Duty Equipment

Heavy-duty equipment operates in some of the most extreme conditions imaginable. Whether it’s the intense heat and abrasion of a mining site, the corrosive environments of oil fields, or the constant exposure to the elements in construction, these machines must be protected against a variety of potential threats:

In the industrial sector, the quality and performance of coatings are paramount to ensuring the longevity, safety, and functionality of metal components. Powder coating has become the go-to solution for industries seeking durable and aesthetically pleasing finishes. However, not all powder coatings are created equal. Adhering to industry specifications is critical to achieving the desired results in industrial applications. Houston Powder Coaters (HPC), recognized as one of the leading powder coating operations in the country, specializes in delivering coatings that meet and exceed the rigorous standards set by various industries.

The Importance of Industry Specifications

Industry specifications serve as a benchmark for quality and performance, ensuring that coatings can withstand the demanding environments in which they are applied. These specifications are established by organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and military standards (MIL-SPEC), among others. Adherence to these standards guarantees that the coatings will provide the necessary protection, durability, and appearance for industrial applications.

Corrosion is one of the most significant challenges faced by industries that rely on metal components and structures. The relentless nature of corrosion can lead to costly repairs, safety hazards, and even complete failure of critical infrastructure. As industries seek durable and long-lasting solutions, powder coating has emerged as a leading method for protecting metal surfaces against corrosion. Houston Powder Coaters (HPC), one of the nation's premier powder coating operations, is at the forefront of providing corrosion-resistant coatings tailored to the rigorous demands of industrial environments.

Understanding Corrosion and Its Impact

Corrosion is a natural process that occurs when metals react with environmental elements such as oxygen, water, and chemicals. This reaction leads to the gradual deterioration of the metal, compromising its structural integrity and functionality. In industrial settings, corrosion can result in:

In the industrial world, the demand for superior finishes on metal components and machinery has driven the evolution of powder coating techniques. These advanced methods are critical for ensuring industrial parts' durability, aesthetics, and functionality. As one of the leading powder coating operations in the country, Houston Powder Coaters (HPC) is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge powder coating solutions that meet the exacting standards of industrial clients.

Advanced Techniques in Powder Coating

Powder coating is well-known for its advantages over traditional liquid paints, such as enhanced durability, environmental benefits, and a more uniform finish. However, standard powder coating methods may not always suffice for industrial applications where the stakes are higher. This is where advanced techniques come into play, ensuring that coated parts can withstand the rigors of industrial use.

Architectural structures, whether they are iconic city landmarks, community spaces, or private property enhancements, play a vital role in the aesthetic and functional appeal of a location. However, over time, exposure to the elements, wear and tear, and general aging can lead to the deterioration of these structures. Powder coating is an effective solution for restoring and protecting these assets, ensuring they remain durable, visually appealing, and resistant to environmental factors. Houston Powder Coaters (HPC), one of the nation’s leading powder coating operations, offers specialized onsite powder coating services tailored to meet the needs of cities, HOAs, building owners, and landowners.

The Importance of Maintaining Architectural Structures

Architectural structures such as bridges, fences, Ferris wheels, and other large installations are significant investments. Maintaining these structures is essential for several reasons:

1. Aesthetic Appeal: Structures that are well-maintained enhance the visual appeal of a community or city, contributing to property values and the overall attractiveness of the area.
2. Safety and Durability: Regular maintenance, including protective coatings, helps prevent the degradation of materials, ensuring that structures remain safe and functional for public use.
3. Environmental Protection: Properly coated structures are more resistant to environmental damage, such as corrosion, rust, and UV degradation, which can otherwise lead to costly repairs or replacements.
4. Community Pride: Well-maintained public spaces and architectural features contribute to community pride and can become symbols of a city's or community’s identity.

Houston Powder Coaters’ Onsite Services

Houston Powder Coaters understands that some architectural structures cannot be easily transported to a facility for powder coating. For these situations, HPC offers comprehensive onsite powder coating services, allowing us to bring our expertise directly to your location.

• Onsite Assessment and Consultation: HPC begins every project with a thorough onsite assessment. Our team of experts evaluates the condition of the structure, identifies any specific challenges, and consults with you to determine the best powder coating solution for your needs. This collaborative approach ensures that the final result meets your expectations and the structure’s specific requirements.
• Mobile Powder Coating Equipment: HPC’s mobile powder coating units are fully equipped with the latest technology, enabling us to perform high-quality powder coating services at your location. Whether it’s a bridge, a large fence, or a Ferris wheel, our mobile units are capable of handling even the most complex and large-scale projects.
• Surface Preparation: Proper surface preparation is critical to the success of any powder coating project. HPC’s onsite team ensures that all surfaces are meticulously prepared before coating, including removing rust, old paint, and other contaminants. This preparation is essential for ensuring that the new coating adheres properly and provides long-lasting protection.
• Custom Coating Solutions: Just as with our in-house services, HPC offers customized powder coating solutions for onsite projects. Whether you need a specific color to match existing structures, a finish that enhances durability, or a coating that offers specialized protection against environmental factors, we tailor our services to meet your needs.
• Environmental and Safety Compliance: HPC is committed to maintaining the highest standards of environmental responsibility and safety. Our onsite powder coating services comply with all relevant regulations, including those related to VOC emissions and waste disposal. We take every precaution to ensure that our work is safe for both our team and the surrounding environment.

Case Studies: Onsite Restoration and Powder Coating Projects

Houston Powder Coaters has successfully completed numerous onsite powder coating projects, working with cities, HOAs, and property owners to restore and protect a wide range of architectural structures.

At Houston Powder Coaters, we take immense pride in our ability to enhance and protect a wide array of metal surfaces, from patio furniture to custom car parts. But every now and then, a project comes along that allows us to be part of something truly special—something that goes beyond the everyday and enters the realm of art.

One such project recently took us to Oklahoma, where we had the incredible opportunity to work with a piece by the acclaimed artist Morgan Robinson. With a reputation for creating captivating, intricate works of art that are displayed in nine galleries across the country, Morgan Robinson's pieces are known for their attention to detail, vibrant colors, and unique textures. When you see one of Morgan's creations, you know you're looking at something extraordinary.

For this particular project, we were tasked with providing a powder-coated finish that would not only enhance the visual appeal of Morgan's work but also protect it from the elements, ensuring its beauty would last for years to come. Powder coating, with its durable and resilient properties, is the perfect solution for protecting outdoor sculptures and installations. It provides a layer of defense against corrosion, UV rays, and general wear and tear, all while allowing the piece’s colors and textures to shine through.

Houston is subject to all manner of weather conditions. Heavy rains and floods, ice storms, extreme heat, and more can all wreak havoc on things that are exposed to the outdoors consistently. Powder coating Houston’s large-scale outdoor installations such as traffic lights, parking meters, park benches and more is a significant expense, but it can lead to significant cost-savings over time. Different climates will require different powder coating finishes and choosing a powder coating finish in Houston that has been tested in other regions may not provide the long-lasting, durable finish the client desires. A tried-and-true powder coating job from an experienced powder coating shop in Houston will lend you the best results, as they are experienced in choosing the appropriate finishes for their customer base. 

When it comes to discussing budget and financials with a customer, it is important to explain that even if up-front costs are higher, that doesn’t mean the finished product will be more expensive over the life of the object. A cheaper, less appropriate powder coating job in Houston can and will cost more money over the life of the product, despite a lower up-front cost. Repairing infrastructure can disrupt the daily flow of life in an area, so investing in long-lasting, durable products for your city prevents needless interruptions to traffic flow, park attendance, and more. Public infrastructure is subjected to heavy use, damaging environmental factors, etc. and preventing premature damage by spending more up-front protects residents and their families.

WEATHER-RESISTANT POWDER COATINGS IN HOUSTON

Powder coating provides great protection and durability for many items subject to the elements. To get the best out of weather-resistant powder coatings in Houston, there are certain steps that should be taken to provide optimal protection, especially if refinishing an item that already has a powder coating. 

The first step is to prepare the surface to accept the powder coat. This can be done by media blasting. Media blasting in Houston is the process of using small granules (can be sand, crushed walnut shells, etc.) blown at high speed against an object to remove debris like old paint or rust. This step, where necessary, is vital to the life of the powder coat.

The next step is the actual powder coating application. A primer or rust deterrent can be applied to the surface before the actual powder coat to serve as a foundation. Zinc-rich primers can be used to prevent the formation of rust in humid or wet environments. The powders used in powder coating stick to the surface of the primed metal through electrostatic charge. 

Whether your application is industrial, commercial, architectural, or just a personal piece, you have many business options to choose from when looking for powder coating in Houston. Since its introduction in the 1960s, the process of powder coating has become very popular and common, and there are many businesses that provide these services. However, as with any purchase, there are some quick guidelines you should keep in mind to be sure that you’re working with a quality provider of powder coating in Houston.

First, and possibly most importantly, you should look for a business that adheres to strict QA and QC standards. Powder coating is not a simple process, and an amateur provider will only serve up amateur results. A high-quality powder coating business will have thorough quality assurance and quality control standards, and should outline them for the customer. Any coating job that doesn’t adhere to strict quality standards will invite irregularities in the finished product due to a wide variety of factors, including lack of proper surface preparation and inappropriate coating thickness. Proper QA and QC standards eliminate these irregularities and provide for a smoother finished product.

Second, try to work with a business that offers a wide variety of powder coat colors. Your coating job will likely require a specific color, and matching that requirement is clearly a high priority. A powder coating business that offers a wide variety of stock colors as well as the option of producing special order colors is more capable of matching the exact color specification you need. Additionally, such a business offering powder coating in Houston is more likely to be experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable in providing high-quality service.

NON-SKID POWDER COATING FINISHES FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN HOUSTON

Commercial buildings in large metropolitan areas such as Houston, TX see an inordinate amount of traffic when compared to smaller cities.  With highly populous areas, buildings are typically built up instead of out. While elevators are the main method of going up and down, staircases are necessary for emergencies such as fires or electrical outages. With heavy traffic possible on staircases, it is imperative that non-skid powder coatings in Houston, TX are used to minimize slips and falls of tenants and visitors. Non-skid powder coatings ensure that the treads of the staircase do not become hazardously slippery during a rainstorm or a spill. These special powder coatings can also be applied to stair railings in commercial stairwells to add to the overall safety of the stairwell. 

Non-skid powder coatings in Houston, TX provide all the benefits of traditional powder coating, such as corrosion resistance and durability, while being environmentally friendly. For commercial buildings where handicap accessible ramps are necessary, non-skid powder coatings come in handy for both the disabled and their caretakers. Buildings that require loading ramps benefit from anti-slip ramps for workers and protects packages coming into the building from breaking should an employee fall. Traditional powder coating is beneficial across many industries on its own. With anti-slip properties, your powder coated elements provide protection for your structure and those who may use the structure as a space for their business or home.

The term “RAL” appears very frequently in the powder coating industry and is instantly familiar to those who work in the field, but its meaning and origins, beyond the fact that it’s related to powder coat colors, might be more obscure to those who aren’t actively involved in the powder coating industry.

RAL is color matching system used in powder coating to ensure that colors are standardized across different applications, much like the Pantone color system in printing. There’s a good reason it’s simply called RAL, though: it actually refers to the Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen und Gütesicherung, a German industrial commission that invented the standard in 1927, starting with a collection of 40 colors. The standardized colors used in applications of powder coating in Houston got their start almost a century ago, in a different country, which is a testament to the utility of the standard and its enduring presence in industrial applications.

Though there have been several iterations and expansions of the RAL standard, the concept has remained the same. Having a standardized color system, produced with the same tints, hues, and saturations each time, makes it significantly easier to produce powder coat colors that remain consistent regardless of how many times they must be mixed.

Within the many technological advances that have been brought on by the oil and gas industry, industrial coatings and their related processes are unsung heroes. The transportation of hydrocarbons through pipes is an integral and necessary mean of delivering the energy that fuels our nation, and the importance of protective coatings on and in these pipes cannot be overstated. Fusion bonded epoxy coatings have grown in popularity as an effective protectant against corrosion and other destructive forces since their introduction in the 1960s.  Two popular products that are frequently used in the interior coating of these oilfield pipes are Resicoat® Corvel 1-6051 Green (HKH12QF) fusion bonded epoxy and Resicoat® 596301 primer.  These coatings are also commonly known and referred to as Corvel® ECA-1660 and Corvel® EP-10.

With regards to fusion bonded epoxy coatings, a substrate is protected from destructive forces by the application of special melt-mixed solid polymers that are more advanced and protective than typical paint. The epoxy is a dry powder which is applied electrostatically to a substrate’s surface (such as the internals of steel pipes that will be transporting hydrocarbons). At normal temperatures, the powder remains in dry form.  But once applied to a preheated pipe, the powder “flows” to a liquid form, thereby cross-linking with the metal and the resin primer. This pattern creates a durable and longer-lasting protective barrier compared to other industrial coatings.

CorvelCorvel® ECA-1660, originally manufactured by Rohm and Haas and now currently owned by Akzo Nobel, is one such fusion bonded epoxy coating. This product is a melt-mixed epoxy thermoset coating (meaning that once it’s cured, it remains in that state forever) which is rated for use in elevated temperatures and pressures. Given that higher temperatures and pressures are common in the piping environments of the oil and gas industry, this product sees wide use across multiple disciplines.  Corvel® ECA-1660 is designed to be used in tandem with Corvel® EP-10, a liquid coating primer. The combination of the Corvel® EP-10® EP-10 primer and Corvel® ECA-1660 offers great uniformed adhesion of the epoxy to the surface as well as increased resistance to H₂S, CO₂, CH₄, and other petroleum distillates.  As such, this 2-part system is regularly used to coat drill pipe, production tubing, and associated fittings.

There are various protective metal coatings in Houston available for industrial, commercial, and architectural applications. We offer two main options at Houston Powder Coaters.

The powder coating industry makes up around 15% of the market for protective metal coatings in Houston. It was first introduced in the 1960s in North America, and over the decades has become the go-to protective finish for many different industries whose needs are vast.  Powder coatings require no solvents like liquid paints and coatings, so they emit almost no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short.  Without a liquid solvent the powder coating can be applied more thickly as it is not susceptible to sags like its liquid counterparts. With their low environmental impact, myriad of colors, and near infinite catalog of uses, protective metal coatings in Houston are in high demand.

Fusion-bonded epoxy coating, or FBE coating for short, is a type of protective metal coating typically used to protect steel pipes used in pipeline construction, rebar, valves, and more from corrosion. On the interior of the pipes, a phenolic primer is used as an anti-corrosive basecoat that is resistant to oxygenated atmospheres but also carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, brine, and petroleum distillates.  After the primer comes the FBE, and with that the interior is done. On the exterior, the phenolic primer step is skipped, instead FBE is applied and then a fusion-bonded polyester finishes the exterior for a superior protective metal coating.

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.

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