When looking into El Dorado Hills Powder Coating, most people think it’s about choosing a dynamic color. In reality, the best results start with the metal of your item, its condition, history, long-term goals, and how you plan to use the piece. Choosing to powder coat a patio chair that’s already been outside for 15 years is going to be a completely different project from a new fabricated gate, wheels, or metal artwork. Our team at Powder Craft looks at the whole job to determine the right path from dirty and damaged to a finished, durable piece.
Why the Best Powder Coating Starts Before the Powder
The end goal of your powder coating project may be a stunning, durable finish, but there’s still a lot of prep work at the beginning. A metal item can look simple and straightforward while still hiding:
- Old coatings in seams and corners
- Rust beneath paint
- Grease or oil contamination
- Casting impurities
- Previous repairs
- Residue from years of outdoor exposure
Two pieces that seem identical may need completely different preparation. One might be new metal, while the other has 20 years of history. That’s why our team at Powder Craft always evaluates what the part actually needs instead of forcing every project through the same level of generic prep.
What Can Be Powder Coated?
Not all metal items are good candidates for powder coating, especially vulnerable antiques that can be damaged by heat. The good news is there are all kinds of residential and commercial items that can be powder coated, including:
- Patio furniture
- Gates and fencing
- Railings
- Stair components
- Metal light fixtures
- Decorative architectural metal
- Pool-area metal pieces where appropriate
- Automotive parts
- Custom metalwork
- Metal signs
- Shop fixtures
Instead of starting with, “Can this be powder coated?” ask yourself how it will be used and what kind of elements it will be exposed to once it leaves the shop. UV rays, gravel, pool environments, road debris, heat, and daily wear should influence how the powder coating is approached.
Your Metal Item Has a History
Not everyone considers the history of their metal before starting the coating process. Your patio furniture may have years of oxidation and multiple paint layers, and your car parts could be contaminated with old oil, grease, and grime. Industrial parts can also come with baked-on coatings that pose real challenges to remove.
Let our team at Powder Craft know what kind of metal item you have, or let us take a look. We can give you a better idea of what you need, from media blasting to burn-off services to safely prep your item before it’s powder coated. Our pyrolytic cleaning oven is the only one of its kind in Northern California that’s designed to incinerate and remove baked-on coatings, grease, and organic contaminants from metal parts.
Powder Coating FAQs
What types of items can be powder coated?
All kinds of metal items can be powder coated, including patio furniture, wheels, automotive parts, outdoor gates, railings, decorative metalwork, fabricated parts, commercial fixtures, and industrial components. Whether or not it’s a good idea to powder coat your item depends on its condition, any previous coatings, and whether it can safely endure the curing process. For example, delicate antiques are usually not good candidates for powder coating.
Do old parts need to be stripped before powder coating?
Yes, most of the time old coatings, rust, grease, oil, grime, and contaminants need to be removed before a new powder coating system is applied. The exact preparation method depends on what kind of part you want coated. Our team offers media blasting and specialized burn-off services using a pyrolytic cleaning oven to safely remove and prep your items for a fresh, durable coating.
Can rusty metal be powder coated?
Yes, rusty metal could be a good candidate for powder coating, but it needs to be thoroughly prepped first. Coating over rust can create an uneven finish that won’t last for long. Instead, the rust and other surface contamination need to be addressed to make sure the coating will work. Our team at Powder Craft can let you know if the corrosion or metal loss is too extreme, making repair or replacement a better option.
Is it worth powder coating an old metal item instead of replacing it?
It is often worth powder coating a metal item instead of replacing it, especially if it’s expensive or has personal value. Powder coating is a great option if you want to refresh your outdoor furniture or give your artwork new life. No matter what the item is, we can help determine whether it is in good enough condition to prep and refinish.
Get Started With El Dorado Hills Powder Coating Today
Powder coating in El Dorado Hills can be worth the investment when you understand the prep work, approach, and process. Our team at Powder Craft has proudly offered powder coating since 1993, with hands-on problem solving, media blasting, a unique pyrolytic cleaning oven, and over 5,000 color options, mattes, and finishes to choose from.
Contact us today or call 916-652-5808 to discuss your project.
