Cleaning.

After disassembling your parts, it is essential to clean them thoroughly, removing all dirt, oil, grease, and grime. We kindly request the client to perform this cleaning, as it helps to prevent unwanted contaminants within our facility. You may use a general degreaser for cleaning, but please ensure it is safe for the part you are working with. Just so you know, rust or paint on the parts is not a concern, as we will take care of this during the process.

Stripping.

After having completed the cleaning process for your part(s), we will proceed to remove any previous coatings, whether they are paint or powder coatings. We utilize two methods to achieve this: either blast cleaning or non-acid chemical dipping. However, some coatings may be difficult to remove through blasting alone. In such cases, we will immerse the items in a non-acid dip tank to break down the stubborn coating. Once the coating is removed, we will continue with further cleaning before the blast cleaning process begins.

Blast Cleaning.

When your part(s) are ready for blasting, we will clean them back to bare metal and provide a light texture finish to ensure that the powder coating adheres well. Blasting with clean media ensures that every area is entirely and thoroughly covered. However, some areas of the parts, like brake callipers, piston bores, or cylinder bores machined surfaces should not be blasted. These areas need to be masked off before blasting.

We offer many options for blast cleaning, depending on the condition of the parts. For instance, alloy parts can be aqua blast cleaned or dry bead blasted, while car bodies can be blasted with bead or garnet. In cases of heavy rust, harsher materials must be utilized to penetrate deep corrosion.

Out-gassing can be a nightmare for the coater. To avoid it, your part(s) should be as clean as possible and stripped back to bare metal before proceeding with the out-gassing procedure. However, not all parts need to undergo out-gassing. You can read more about the out-gassing procedure by clicking on this link https://ctc-powder-coating.co.uk/alloy_powder_coating__outgassing/.

Cast iron and cast aluminium are porous materials that can absorb contaminants during manufacturing or over the product’s lifespan. In addition to cleaning, the blasting process creates a textured surface on the part, allowing the powder coating to adhere more firmly to the metal. This texture is responsible for the good adhesion and durability of the powder finish. Without it, the powder coating can chip or lift relatively easily.

Masking.

Some parts as threads and tight-fitting joints will require masking before powder coating. As it is the last step before the powder coat is applied, care is taken to ensure surfaces are as clean as possible. Should there be a fingerprint or a speck of dust, this will show up on the finished product. Masking can be long and arduous, consuming a lot of time. Careful masking  “Is essential.”l to inhibit the powder from entering areas that should not be coated. The powder, once cured, is one devil of a job to remove.

Powder Coating & Materials.

Materials: (powder) Many makers produce powders from the cheap and nasty to the expensive and highest quality. Much research, science and money have been expended on the best materials; therefore, the best powders are costly. Cheap powders tend to contain inferior base fillers and must include vital products within the mix, leading to poor finish & disappointing results.
We avoid cheap producers at all costs. Besides suffering from colour fade (as some are not UV stable), powdering and orange peel effects can also be problematic. Using products from high-end producers avoids all the problems, which is the ethos we choose to abide by.

Curing.

This is when all the prep work comes into play—the curing (cross-linking of the powder and the base primer coats). Curing time will very much depend upon the material, weight and size. Base primer coats should be under-cured, allowing the next coat to cross-bond for excellent adhesion and a long and reliable lifespan.

Quality of Work.

Basecoat: (primer)normal procedure. Every part(s) has an anti-corrosive coating before the top colour coat. There are no shortcuts, as one coat in our way of thinking is not acceptable or reliable. There are, however, some exceptions and in some cases, depending on the material used, there is no requirement for a base coat.
Our strength is knowing that our work is carried out to the best possible standard, and we offer, in 90% of cases, our unique five-year, quibble anti-corrosion and paint lift warranty. Our clients can rest assured without asking about the quality and reliability of our work.

In all the years that we have been trading, we have only encountered two instances where items came back with corrosion problems. However, these were promptly addressed and resolved. In conclusion, quality powder coating is both a science and an art form that surpasses other alternatives. Moreover, there is an extensive range of colours, textures, and clear coats available to cater to the diverse needs of modern lifestyles.

Did you know powder coating is widely accepted as one of the greenest coatings? No VOCs or harmful chemicals are pumped into the air during the application.

I hope you have found this short guide helpful, and if you have any questions, please email or call us.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_coating#Properties_of_powder_coating