Painting is an economical alternative to other finishing options, like powder coating. In painting sheet metal, the substrate is prepared for coating. Next, a primer is applied to the base metal, followed by multiple layers of paint. Finally, a protective coating, such as lacquer is added to protect the underlying paint.
Advantages of Painting Sheet Metal Products
Painting is a cost effective option for custom colors. If you need a specialty color, it can be matched to a paint color.
Unlike powder coating, painting does not require that parts be hung from a rack to apply. This makes it a viable option for a wider variety of shapes, sizes and weights of fabricated metal parts.
Painting does not require baking to cure, so is a better option for parts that may need multiple coats of different colors. You can also add paint to an isolated area of a part with an existing coat that would otherwise be affected by high temperatures.
Considerations of Painting vs Other Coatings
The cure time for painting can be several days, depending on the paint. Lead times for painted parts are generally longer than for powder coated parts.
Galvanized ferrous metals are the most difficult to paint. Ferrous metals contain iron; non-ferrous metals do not. Aluminum can be easier to paint than ferrous metals.
Painting can be less durable over a long period of time than powder coating.