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Q&As since 1989


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Powder Coat Paint Application

How is powder coat paint applied? Can it be used on automobile finishes?

Tom Wiltshire
- Carrollton, MS, USA
2001

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Tom, most powder coatings are applied using special spray equipment and an electrostatic charge to attract the paint particles to the object being painted.

Powder coatings are being used on automotive parts like suspension components, shocks or struts but not typically on what are called the Class A surfaces (the outer skin of the vehicle). The current generation of powder coating do not have the gloss and depth of image that the current liquid paints develop. Many companies are working to develop powder coatings that will replace the liquid paint used on the Class A surfaces.

Roy Nuss
Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA
2001

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2001

Tom,

Roy is correct in what he says, in part. In Europe certain car manufacturers do use powder coatings as a top coat application for smaller cars. Also quite a few use a powder clear coat as a final finish. (Mercedes, Chrysler etc.)

The powder technology as it stands does not give as good an appearance as a wet system however powder technology is improving every day.

Hope this helps.

Drew Devlin
- Lincolnshire (UK)