DAWSON’s Spray-Tech Finishing division offers industrial powder coating services to meet the most stringent customer specifications.
Primarily, we utilize a three-stage pretreatment process consisting of an iron phosphate detergent, a cold water rinse, and a non-chrome seal rinse. Our iron phosphate detergent includes additional fluoride ions which increase the etching effects on aluminum and stainless steel surfaces.
We also offer mechanical blasting as a pretreatment option prior to coating. Complex geometries are tested using our in-house DataPaq to ensure optimum cure cycles thus eliminating over-baking and discoloring of the powder.
Our automated paint line has a part size envelope of 4’ wide x 5’ tall x 12’ long. Parts that exceed this size can be painted in our dedicated off-line batch spray booth and cured in our dedicated batch oven which has an envelope size of 10’ wide x 10’ tall x 15’ long.
Removal of oil, dirt, greases, metal oxides, welding scale, etc. is essential before the powder coating process. It can be done by a variety of chemical and mechanical methods. The method selection depends on the size and material of the part to be coated, the type of impurities to be removed, and the finished product’s performance requirement.
Chemical pre-treatments involve the use of phosphates or chromates in submersion or spray application.
Powder is applied to metal objects using an electrostatic gun or corona gun. The gun imposes a negative charge on the powder and is sprayed towards the part by compressed air. The charged particles seek out and adhere to the part’s surface.
When a thermosetting powder is exposed to high temperatures, it begins to melt, flows out, and then chemically reacts to form a higher molecular weight polymer. This curing process, called crosslinking, requires a specific temperature for a certain length to reach a full cure and establish the properties for which the material was designed. Typically, the powders cure at 350 °F for 10 minutes.
It is the process of applying a dry powdered form of paint to most metal surfaces and then bonded under high heat in order to create a harder and stronger finish than conventional paint.
Finishes last 15-20 years depending on pre-treatment and the type of powder used. Variables such as use, environment, and cleaning chemicals also factor into the overall life span of the paint.
Because the powder is cured under high heat, any material that can withstand 400°F can be powder coated. Aluminum, bronze, copper, brass, titanium, and steel (including stainless, galvanized, anodized, and e-coat) can all be powder coated.
All of the powders used by Spray-Tech are non-toxic, non-volatile, and completely safe whether being sprayed or stored. These powders can be safely recycled or disposed of at landfills.
Yes, we have physical color samples here at our facility in Falconer, NY. When needing very specific color hues/tones we recommend you stop into our facility to select a color because colors appearing on a computer, tablet, or phone screens can be skewed.
• Give your industrial metal product a distinctive look
• Help protect the metal from chipping, scratching, and fading
• Corrosion-resistant
• Paint is less likely to drip, run or sag
• Create a barrier to help prevent the formation of rust
• Available in a wide range of colors
• More consistent appearance than other coating applications
• Helps extend the useful life of a product – reducing the need for repairs
• Maintenance-free
• Environmentally friendly
• Cost-effective
• Large capacity powder coating booth available – 10′ x 10′ x 15′
Powder coating has the capability to cover minor scratches and imperfections. As with any finish, the end result will only be as good as the surface it was applied to. Matte and textured powders are more forgiving for surface preparation than smooth or glossy powders.
Yes! They can be repaired with the right process. Never try touching up a powder coat with regular paint.
• Results in a thicker, more even finish
• More durable and longer-lasting
• Powder coat is a one-coat finish – providing a quicker process
• Wet paint is ideal for surfaces that cannot be heated or when an extremely thin coat of paint is required
• Powder coats are more forgiving than wet paint coats
Yes! Many times, the process will involve stripping the manufacturer’s paint completely from the surface using our sandblasting process so that the powder will adhere properly to the material.
• Iron Phosphate
• Zinc Phosphate
• E-coat
• Blasting
Spray-Tech has 3 different kinds of powder:
Epoxy
• used for parts requiring superior chemical resistance
• typically cured at lower temperatures than polyester
• can be partially cured for use as a primer
• cannot be exposed to sunlight
Polyester
• most common used resin for powder coats
• great exterior durability and hardness
• excellent chemical resistance
• fairly easy to cure
Hybrid
• a mix of polyester and epoxy resins
• most special effect coatings are this kind
• primarily for indoor applications
Depending on the material and thickness, powder coats average 30 minutes at 350°F. Your parts are completely cured when received.
Yes! Here at Spray-tech we carefully examine finished coats, checking for three important factors: paint thickness, cross-hatch adhesion, and gloss.
Custom assembly, silk-screening, and packaging & shipping are among the additional services we provide.
Solvent-based or water-based paints are available and applied at two on-line spray booths.
Quality abrasive sandblasting services designed to meet your needs.
