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Powder paint is sprayed onto steel using a special gun, then cured in a kiln to create a durable finish. It’s best for frames, wheels, and smaller components, but can make assembly difficult. Surface preparation is important, and welding requires sanding the finish.
Powder paint is a dry, colored powder that is sprayed onto a steel structure using a special application gun that uses air to discharge the powder. The special powder paint is positively charged while the material to which the powder is applied is negatively charged, causing the powder to adhere to the steel. Once powder coated, the item is placed in a large specially designed kiln and fired for a specific time for the type and color of powder used. Once fired and cured, the result is a durable, highly durable finish that resists cracking, scratching, and dulling. The finish can be maintained, just like traditional varnish, by washing and waxing.
Due to the method used to cure powder paint, full body panels are not usually finished with this type of coating. Typical candidates for powder paint are the frame, wheels, and other smaller steel components. Roll cages and motorcycle frames are also great projects to use powder paint on. The finish is very thick and very difficult to remove making taping threaded holes and other areas you paint over very important. It is also very important to achieve even coverage as mixing and touching up powder paint is very difficult.
Surface preparation is just as critical with the powder version as it is with traditional paints. Grease and oil should be removed from any surface with a quality solvent to promote proper adhesion of the powder to the steel surface. Once the powder has been applied, it is important that the parts are placed in the oven and cured as soon as possible. This will reduce the chances of the dust being touched and blown off the steel. The powder will melt in the kiln, creating a liquid that will flow out evenly and fill any small voids or cracks in the steel surface.
Once cooled, the powder paint becomes a hard finish that is resistant to scratches and chips. The thick finish is often responsible for making tight-fitting components very difficult to assemble. Sometimes it is necessary to scrape or sand some of the finish to allow the parts to fit together when reassembling some components. While this type of finish is preferred by many race car builders, it is often a problem when an accident requires the frame or chassis to be welded. To weld over cured powder paint, the finish must be sanded.
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