WHAT IS POWDER COATING?

Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. Unlike conventional liquid paint which is delivered via an evaporating solvent, powder coating is typically applied electrostatically and then cured under heat or with Ultraviolet light. The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. Powder coating is mainly used for coating of metals, such as household appliances, aluminium extrusions, drum hardware, automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle parts. More advanced technologies allow other materials, such as plastics, composites, carbon fiber, and MDF (medium-density fibreboard), to be powder coated using different methods that require less heat and time. (Wikipedia).

In addition to being durable, powder coating is an attractive choice to consumers, businesses and industries as it is one of the most economical, longest lasting, and most colour lasting quality finishes available. Powder coating can be used as a protective coating as well as for a decorative. There is a wide range of colours available to choose from as well as different surface tectures such as smooth, grainy matte and speckled. Powder coating is an economical and long lasting finish that is highly resistant to various types of wearing, chipping, fading, scrathing and weather.

PROPERTIES OF POWDER COATING

Because powder coating does not have a liquid carrier, it can produce thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging, and powder coating produces minimal appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces. Because no carrier fluid evaporates away, the coating process emits few volatile organic compounds (VOC). Finally, several powder colors can be applied before curing them all together, allowing color blending and bleed special effects in a single layer. (Wikipedia)

ADVANTAGES OF POWDER COATING

Powder coatings contain no solvents and release little or no amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the atmosphere. Thus, there is no need for finishers to buy costly pollution control equipment.

Powder coatings can produce much thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging.

Powder coated items generally have fewer appearance differences than liquid coated items between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces.

A wide range of speciality effects are easily accomplished using powder coatings that would be impossible to achieve with other coating processes.

Curing time is significantly faster with powder coatings compared to liquid coatings especially when using ultraviolet cured powder coatings. (Wikipedia)

REMOVAL OF POWDER COATING

Methylene chloride and acetone are generally effective at removing powder coating. Most other organic solvents (thinners, etc.) are completely ineffective. Recently the suspected human carcinogen methylene chloride is being replaced by benzyl alcohol with great success. Powder coating can also be removed with abrasive blasting. 98% sulfuric acid commercial grade also removes powder coating film. Certain low grade powder coats can be removed with steel wool, though this might be a more labour intensive process than desired.

Powder coating can also be removed by a burning off process, in which parts are put into a large high temperature oven with temperatures typically reaching an air temperature of 300 - 450 °C. The process takes about four hours and requires the parts to be cleaned completely and re-powder coated. Parts made with a thinner gauge material need to be burned off at a lower temperature to prevent the material from warping. (Wikipedia)

At GT Coaters we remove existing powder coating using the shot blasting / sandblasting method as it is more environmentally friendly.

colour options

We have a wide range of colours to choose from, and offer various finishes such as gloss, matte and textured. Contact us regarding options, or if you have any queries.

A LOOK INSIDE GT COATERS

We at GT Coaters strive to ensure an honest, trustworthy, accurate and reliable powder coating service to Cape Town customers. We offer high quality finishes, always ensuring a top-quality finish for all our customers. We pride ourselves in excellent service and on-time completion. At GT Coaters our workers as well as customers are seen as friends and that is what makes us love what we do.

Together with our valued suppliers, Ferro, Powderlak and AkzoNobel we ensure that we stay abreast of the latest technologies and methods.

Below are some images of our premises and workspace. You are welcome to pop around to view the powder coating operation in full swing.

our valued suppliers

Ferro South Africa is a leading manufacturer of high quality porcelain enamels, glaze frits, prepared glazes, compostos, zircon opacifiers, plastic masterbatches and VEDOC thermosetting powder coatings. Originally part of Ferro Corporation in the United States of America, a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York stock exchange, Ferro was established in South Africa in 1946 and is now a wholly owned South African company.

Powder – Lak (Pty) Ltd. is a German Company, which in a few short years became one of the leading manufacturers of Powder Coatings in Africa. The company is based in Germiston South, which borders on Johannesburg, South Africa. Since it’s inception South Africa in 1988, the company has been personally operated on a daily basis by the Flinner family, now in the 2nd generation.

AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. They're experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in color and protection since 1792. Their world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, they are active in over 150 countries and employ around 34,500 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high-performance products and services their customers expect.