Frequently Asked Questions

What is powder coating?

Like painting, powder coating is a process that creates a beautiful and durable finish for your custom project. Powder coating uses static electricity to apply a dry powder film to a substrate (your custom project), that when baked, creates a beautiful uniform finish. Similar to paint, powder coating uses polyurethanes, acrylics, polyesters, and epoxy resins.

What are the advantages of powder coating?

Generally speaking powder coating creates a more durable finish when compared to a paint finish. Like painting, the key to a quality finished is the preparation. Unlike painting, all of our powder coating preparation processes remove preexisting finishes prior to etching (media blasting) the surface. The purpose is to allow the powder to bond directly to your custom project rather than a layer of preexisting paint. The benefit is better adhesion of the coating to your project (see: durable). In addition, powder coating creates a stronger chemical bond between the pigmented-polymers via a high temperature reaction. The result is a stronger coating when compared to paint at the same thickness. Powder coating allows for thicker applications of single coats without runs/drips in the finish. The combination of starting with a bare surface, stronger chemical bonds, and a thicker coating creates a finish that will outlasts traditional paints.

What is ceramic coating?

Not to be confused with automotive paint protectants (modern day wax), ceramic coating is a type of paint finish that utilizes a ceramic particles to enhance the physical properties of the finish when fully dried. More specifically it provides superior heat resistance and physical durability when compared to traditional paint alternatives. Typical applications of ceramic coatings are exhaust components (mufflers, headers, etc.) and firearms. A variety of colors and gloss levels are available to meet your project needs.

What is media blasting?

Media blasting is a refinishing process used to prepare projects for paint and powder. It is used to remove surface rust and debris from the surface of your project. In addition, it physically etches the surface of your project to enhance the adhesion of the powder/paint to the unfinished surface.

How much does it cost?

Unfortunately we do not offer generic pricing. The cost of a custom project will vary depending on any number of variables. As with any quality finish, the preparation of a project is what ensures a finished product that is not only beautiful but durable as well. Other considerations such as masking areas that should not be coated (e.g. critical tolerance areas: bolt holes, threads, and machined surfaces) adds time to the process. We provide basic pricing during an initial consultation, however prices may increase due to service charges associated with disassembly, cleaning, repair, masking, etc. Please contact us and we would be more than happy to discuss your powder coating project.

Can you provide an exact color match for my project?

In general, it is possible to find a suitable powder, however there are additional considerations.

Gloss or Sheen (e.g. high gloss, satin, matte) should be considered when choosing a "color".

There are not always powder equivalents to Manufacturer specific "Paint Codes" (e.g. BMW "Chrome Shadow", Enkei "Hyper Silver")

Some powder manufactures offer direct matches for popular colors (e.g. Repsol Orange, Ferarri Red).

Universal color standards like Pantone, RAL, RGB, HEX are used to identify and match manufacturers' proprietary colors.

More precise color matching services are available by powder manufacturers but it is not practical for small projects (wheels, calipers, motorcycle frames, etc.)

Test Panels are recommended if an exact color or gloss specification is required, additional services fees may apply.

Can you coat over chrome or other plated finishes?

Yes, however we do not recommend it.

In most cases, properly plated surfaces are unmatched in reflectivity and hardness (chrome). However, and over time, they become susceptible to delamination and corrosion (especially if poorly plated). In addition refinishing can be costly and plating service providers may be difficult to find locally.

In order to properly prepare plated surfaces for refinishing with powder, painting, or re-plating, special equipment (chemical baths) or aggressive media blasting is required to remove the old plating finish. If your goal is the restoration of the original plating or the addition of plating to your project, powder can only simulate, there is no substitute for the real thing.

We do not recommend refinishing (media blasting/etching) of pre-existing chrome (new or used). If the chrome is new or in "good" shape, low pressure etching of the surface is possible without removal of the entire layer of plating. The risk associated with this, is that the plating may delaminate unpredictably during low pressure media blasted, or damage to the plated layer may result from warping or excessive pitting. In this event, the entire layer of plating should be removed before applying powder or paint; using a high fill primer to correct for partial delamination (blending) will result in premature failure.

Applying powder over used chrome without media blasting/etching may result in premature failure due to embedded contaminants and lack of physical adhesion.

Removal of the entire layer of plating, without specialty chemicals, requires higher pressure, courser media, and additional time. Except for the highest quality parts, damage to the substrate (your project) is likely. This includes warping from heat or an irregular surface as the base material is removed at a faster rate than the plating material.

Note: In all scenarios a powder coated finish will fail if the underlying plating starts to fail.

New or freshly plated, untreated (ceramic coatings/waxes), parts that have never been used is an exception to the above. These parts can be thoroughly degreased and prepped for clear/candy coats/transparent finishes (paint or powder). Candy finishes applied over chrome are often chosen to simulate brass, gold, or other vibrant finishes. The result will not be as durable as a traditional powder finish and is only recommended for indoor use or show vehicles.

What do I need to do before dropping a part of for coating?

Parts should be cleaned by thoroughly washing and degreasing them (HomeDepot carries products like ZEP or Krud Cutter).

Parts should be completely disassembled, including, but not limited to bolts, studs, pistons, dust boots, seals, bleeder screws, wheel weights, valve stems/TPMS sensors, bearings, baffles, gaskets etc.

What is the original coating specification for my project e.g. Anodizing, Zinc Coatings, Galvanizing, Plating and Other Surface Coatings?

Before beginning a project, PLEASE evaluate your projects current finish and your intended goals!!! Although powder coating can offer aesthetic improvement, outstanding environmental protection, and simulate a variety of finishes, it is not a replacement for other types of coatings that may have been originally used due to better performance characteristics for a given application.

Anodizing is a surface conversion coating. The process typically uses an electrified bath of acid to oxidize the surface of a substrate (your project). This controlled oxidation may change the color of the substrate and or enhance the hardness of the surface. The benefits of this type of coating is desirable colors and improved environmental protection (chemicals, UV, abrasion). Anodizing can be clear, colored or dark grey, and "black". Gloss levels of anodizing vary from polished/gloss to matte. Type I anodizing is known for colorful finishes but poor UV stability. Type II anodizing (e.g. Mil Spec A-8625) is known for increased hardness and corrosion resistance.

Galvanizing is commonly the liquid application of zinc to the surface of steel. The zinc acts as a sacrificial material to retard rust and environmental corrosion.

Zinc Plating (aka electro-galvanizing) is applied with current and is less resistant to corrosion than traditional galvanizing. Typically zinc plated parts are gold or black.

Metal Plating (Chrome, Copper, Brass, etc.) is a process where another metal is deposited on the surface of a substrate (your project) using either acid baths or high pressure/temperature vapor deposition (PVD). In most cases, properly plated surfaces are unmatched in reflectivity and hardness (chrome), however they are susceptible to delamination and costly refinishing. Special equipment (chemical baths) or aggressive media blasting is required to remove the old finish in preparation for refinishing.

Note: The Black Chrome finish seen on vehicles such the Chrysler SRT vehicles is an example of a PVD application. Powder can only simulate this look but is not the an OE finish.

Nitride (Titanium Aluminum Nitride) and variant coating are typically applied using the physical vapor deposition process. The process deposits a thin film that provides increased surface hardness and corrosion resistance.