Powder coating: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What powder coating is

A powder coater strips and cleans metal parts, sprays them with dry powder and cures the coating in an oven. The finish is durable and even, and it is used on wheels, furniture, fencing, bike frames, railings and other metal items.

Signs you need it

  • Metal wheels, railings or fencing are rusting or chipping and need a durable finish
  • You want a finished look on a metal bike frame, fixture or piece of furniture
  • You want a color that stays bright and holds up to weather and wear
  • You have a metal part that needs a finish that paint does not hold well
  • You want a coating that is harder and more even than spray paint

What the pro does

  • Looks at the metal part and checks for rust, welds, paint and any damage
  • Strips or blasts the old finish, if needed, and cleans the metal
  • Masks off threads, holes, bearing surfaces and any part that should not be coated
  • Sprays the powder evenly with an electrostatic gun, checking coverage as they go
  • Cures the powder in an oven at the temperature the powder requires
  • Lets the part cool, checks the finish and returns the part with the masking removed

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size and weight of the part, and how many parts are coated together
  • Whether the old finish needs to be stripped or blasted first
  • The number of masking points, threads and holes that need protection
  • The color, finish type and whether a special powder is needed
  • Whether the part needs welding repair, straightening or cleaning before coating
  • Whether the part must be returned on a specific date

What a written quote should spell out

  • The part, its size and the number of parts to be coated
  • The color, finish and powder type
  • Whether stripping, blasting and masking are included
  • Whether repairs such as welds or dents are included, and which ones
  • The pick-up date and the masking plan for threads and bearing surfaces

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can you show me parts you have coated, including the edges and the welds?
  • How will you strip or clean the old finish, and what is left on the metal?
  • Which parts will you mask, such as threads and holes?
  • What temperature does the powder cure at, and will the part fit in your oven?
  • How durable is the finish for the use I have in mind?
  • What happens if the coating has a flaw after curing?
  • Can you coat the part in the color I picked from a sample?

Red flags

  • Coats a part without stripping rust, paint or grease first
  • Does not mask threads, holes or bearing surfaces
  • Cannot say what temperature or oven the part is cured in
  • Uses a powder that is not rated for the part's use, with no explanation
  • Returns a part with a finish that is chipped, uneven or bubbling

What you can do yourself

You can clean and sand a metal part, and remove rust with a wire brush and a degreaser before a coating is applied. Do not cure powder in a home oven, because the fumes, the heat and the dust are hard to control. Hire a powder coater for any job, especially parts that carry load, such as trailer hitches, brackets or structural items, because the cure and the surface prep decide how the finish holds.

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for powder coating, but rules differ by state and city. Ask for photos of finished parts and proof of process training, and ask how the shop controls dust and fumes.

Powder coating questions

Is powder coating better than paint?

Powder coating is harder and more even than most paints, but it depends on the part and the use. Ask the coater which finish fits the part, the weather and the wear it will see.

Can powder coating be done on all metals?

Most common metals can be coated, but some need special prep. Aluminum, steel and galvanized metal need different steps. Ask the coater how they prepare the metal you have.

How do I care for a powder coated part?

Wash it with mild soap and water, and avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive pads. Touch up any chips soon, before rust can start under the coating.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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