Achieving High-Quality Powder Coatings Via Jigging And Masking
Powder coats are used throughout the world, and excessively in the UK. And that’s all right because the value of powder coating is immeasurable. These coats are available in a wide variety of colors, they are cost-effective, and they are fast. They are used in applications like car brake calipers, household appliances, architectural structures, and bicycle frames. And that’s just the beginning!
Powder Coats
Time was, when you wanted something finished with a relatively uniform finish and color, you painted it. But now, thanks to powder coatings, you can apply a covering faster, in a more uniform fashion, and in a multitude of color choices. Not only does the process itself take less time than applying a coat of paint, the finished product is ready in a portion of the time it would take for paint to dry. Anti-corrosion properties, good ductility, and a hard-wearing surface are offered through this process.
Wondering how the covering is applied? The name gives it away. A powdery, dry substance is attracted to a part electrostatically. There you have it. We told you it was fast!
Not Every Surface Needs Complete Coverage
Sometimes you don’t want an entire piece or surface coated. Maybe you don’t want any coating on in some places at all, or possibly you just want less coating in some areas than in others. This isn’t a problem. If you have an edge, threaded hole, or some other surface that needs less or no powder coating, “masking” is the way to go.
Good masking is an art. It is used on numerous applications from premium lighting fixtures to medical equipment. It takes a skilled individual with a steady hand and a sharp eye to apply the specialized tape around and onto the angles and shapes of a customer’s parts. Another method used during powder coating, where tight angles are concerned, is jigging.
Some Powder Coating Requires Custom Jigging
Occasionally, if there are parts with tight angles, powder buildup can occur. On other surfaces, and uneven coating may result while trying to apply coating to each and every angle and corner. A customized piece of specialized jigging enables a part’s inner angles to get even, full coverage during powder coating.
Through the jig, only the inner angles are exposed, and external faces are blocked off. During the initial powder coating, this enables a more focused approach. The external faces of the part can receive powder coating once the jigging is removed (and inner surface plugged). No powder buildup, and even coverage, will be the result.
More Masking
In some cases, a dual coated finish is needed. Once again, masking comes into play. Additionally, a heating process is involved. Through skilled workmanship, a high-quality, sharp, and uniform finish is achievable even when dual coating is required.
A&A Coatings offers powder coatings as well as a wide variety of other protective coatings for virtually every industry under the sun. For 70 years we have been protecting the parts, machinery, components, products, and various surfaces of businesses needing an application that would guard against abrasion, corrosion, friction, and other detrimental effects. Whether you need protection against the elements, saltwater, chemicals, or something else, contact us today to find out what types of protective coatings we offer for your situation.
