EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT POWDER COATING FINISHES IN HOUSTON

What Is Powder Coating?

Simply put, powder coating in Houston is a method of dry coating an industrial product or element to provide protection against rust and corrosion. The powder coating process is superior to the traditional painting process in that it is more environmentally friendly, more durable, and provides a more professional finish. Powder coating can be used on metal, concrete, plastic, and steel and is highly versatile in both application and quality. Unlike traditional paint, powder coatings contain negligible volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typically found in the solvents (the liquid the pigments are suspended in).

What Types Of Powder Coating Are There?

Thermoset and thermoplastic are two types of powder coating. Thermoplastic powder finishes in Houston become soft and melt with the addition of heat. There is no chemical bonding between the metal, plastic, or concrete and the powder. Because of this quality, the powder coating can be recycled and reused. Thermoset powder coatings (such as fusion bonded epoxy) form chemical bonds after it cures, creating a super durable, heat-resistant coating. 

How Durable Is Powder Coating?

Very durable. There is a reason powder coating in Houston is quickly becoming the go-to method for architecture, infrastructure, the oil and gas industry, and even outdoor furniture. Powder coating can protect against corrosion, scratches, extreme temperatures, and more. 

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.

When it comes to choosing the right color for a coating job, it should be no surprise that there are thousands of choices. As with traditional wet paint applications, virtually any powder coat colors can be formulated to match any current sample or order. There really is a rainbow of color possibilities.

However, before we get too far down this road, it is important to note that when powder coating in Houston, it is imperative to understand what the final application is for. Is the piece going to be exposed to extreme heat, high humidity, or other environmental hazards? Will the assembly incur high stress levels or corrosive agents? Is the metal going to be expected to take excess impacts or bends? These questions help determine the type of base polymer that should be used in color formulation.

From here, colors, textures, glosses, and effects can be decided. You read it right; there is a large selection of options besides just powder coat colors. Antiques, textures, jollipops, wrinkles, crinkles, clear coats are all options to create the final appearance that you are looking for.  Add these to the thousands of RAL powder coat colors and you have a humongous spectrum of color.

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.

Industrial powder coating in Texas may not be a flashy subject, but the technology and specialized services associated with it are paramount to providing high level protection to industrial parts and projects.  Businesses looking to safeguard their physical assets invest in powder coating as a form of elongating parts’ operational lifecycles.  Furthermore, it is important to recognize that all coating applicators are not the same.  An experienced and capable powder coating shop should be large enough to handle all elements of the process in-house.  This will not only maximize efficiencies but also result in faster turnarounds.

Texas is home to many different industries, with agriculture, manufacturing, and oil and gas being among the largest and most important to the local economies. In heavy industries, such as oil and gas, the protection of metal surfaces is a critical aspect that requires close attention. Drilling fluid, hydrocarbons, CO₂, CH₄, and other contaminants are harsh on metal surfaces such as the extensive piping that services the upstream and downstream segments. This where industrial powder coating in Texas reveals its importance.

Powder coating as a process is different from other types of protective and anti-corrosive coatings, such as simple paint. Industrial powder coating in Texas involves the use of an electrostatic gun that applies a dry powder to the surface needing protection. The coating is cured under heat to produce a tough finish that exceeds in protecting the metal substrate.  For internal protection, the recent development of the triple-application fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) system provides especially resilient and durable protection for the many miles of piping that transport petroleum products.

Bare metal components on the exterior of a home are going to rust – there are no two ways about it. Exposure to oxygen, humidity, and rain will begin the corrosion process, which will only get worse as time wears on. Sunlight (and its harsh UV rays) also breaks down traditional coatings and allows fluctuating seasonal temperatures to weaken joints and attack critical areas. These environmental elements seem to be constantly conspiring to ruin metal structures on the exterior of a home. Thus, protective coatings are a must for your outdoor gates, fence panels, and banisters. Protective (functional) coatings will also reduce maintenance costs over time and increase the value of your home.

The most basic type of coating—the simple paint job—provides some protection but leaves a lot to be desired. Average consumer-grade paint, when applied by a non-professional, is susceptible to uneven finishes, chipping, and cracking that can quickly jumpstart the corrosion process. Furthermore, a couple coats of paint will not build up enough “mils” to protect these pieces over time. Even a commercial grade paint will lose its gloss level over a year or two due to its lack of clearcoat resins.

Powder coating gates, fence panels, and banisters has increased in popularity over the years due to its higher level of protection and elegant look. Compared to traditional wet paint applications, the benefits of powder coating gates, fence panels, and banisters are exponentially greater.

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.

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.