The Benefits of Powder Coating Your Metal Fence
by Tim Price on Jun 8, 2021
The first I heard of the term powder coating was about an in-store retail display. That is a common usage but I did not realize until years later that it is not simply a process to decorate retail displays being handled by customers. Powder coating is more often used on fences, railings, and gates to increase the lifespan of these products outdoors including extreme weather.
Powder coating is a process used to decorate, finish, or protect something, most commonly made of metal. On a basic level, it’s similar to paint but uses dry powder instead of adhesive liquid. This creates many different advantages which will be discussed later. The substance is applied to the part by using a gun which creates an electrostatic charge while spraying powder, making it adhere to the object that is meant to be coated. After this is complete, heat is applied to cure the powder making it permanently affixed to the metal.
The ingredients in the powder include pigment, a curing agent, leveling agents, flow modifiers, and additional additives. This polymer resin system is designed to bond for strong protection, becoming extremely hard and able to hold up against great force. This resin used for powder coating is extremely durable, so much so that cleaning with a heavy-duty method such as power washing will not damage the coating. Similar coatings are designed to mimic the look of another material, for instance, a metal fence may be powder coated to look like plastic. By adding pigment, you can create nearly any color imaginable.
There is a rather scientific explanation for how the process works. By using an electrostatic charge during the application, the powder particles are drawn to the component. This is usually done in a booth or clean room to prevent unwanted dirt from showing on the end result. The most common way to hold small pieces and larger items like fence posts are by hanging them on clean metal hooks. It is also important each item is handled with care after the coating has been applied because the powder can be accidentally knocked or brushed off before it is cured. As the powder connects to the component, the bonds grow stronger, but they are not solidified until heated. Much like with liquid paint, additional coatings can be applied to the same item increasing protection and longevity.
After the coating has been sprayed, the parts must be baked in a curing oven where the particles chemically react, becoming more resistant to breakage. Pay special attention to the instructions from your powder manufacturer to make sure you use the appropriate cure schedule or time and temperature. Under curing your parts will not allow adequate conditions for the polymer chains to bond, leaving the coat brittle and less durable. Over curing can lead to similar results. It is common for a powder to have some over bake stability in it. This is because powder may vary in thickness across your items. Your work has some safeguard by allowing for the thinner areas to bake as long as the thicker areas without burning. Understand that this rule applies to longer bake times but not to higher temperatures.
Before a powder coat, it is a good idea to clean and blast the parts. The first step, cleaning, can be done best with a power washer but there are plenty of amateur options as well. The main objective in this step is to remove any dirt, oil, grease, or contaminants. If your metal is brand new, using a soapy or clean rag may be all that you need to remove dust and dirt. If you don’t have access to a power washer, just get your hands on a strong brush and a solution designed for cleaning metal. Do your research here and make sure that you are not grabbing a cleaner that can corrode the parts or weaken the metal. Powder coating sticks best to clean metal, plus you’ll be less likely to have any dirt or specks in your finish if the parts are clean.
Once clean, blasting, most often done by sandblasting or media blasting is a process used to remove things like corrosion, rust, or existing paint which will help the powder coat adhere better. During the blasting process, not only are the unwanted elements removed but many tiny scratches are created on the metal leaving microscopic hills and valleys. Instead of having a completely smooth surface that the powder can slide or peel off of (called delamination), the part is left with a faint rough finish called a surface profile. This tiny texture actually creates a greater and uneven surface area that is perfect for the powder to securely attach to.
When you finally get to the powder coating stage, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Adjust your spray gun to a low setting, between 5-10 PSI. Try testing out different PSIs until you can form a nice cloud of powder. There is very little pressure needed to propel the particles and you’ll find that more intricate parts are coated easier with a slower spray. It helps start spraying at the most complex areas and making your way to the less detailed places. An LED light can be shined on your part to help you more easily identify areas that aren’t getting fully covered. Applying just the right amount of coating can take some practice. Too little coating can leave vacant areas where the bare metal can oxidize and rust faster because it is not protected. Too much powder, and you may wind up with a bumpy effect, referred to as orange peel. This can lead to chipping but also has a less appealing look than the desired smooth finish.
Make sure you protect your skin, eyes, and lungs by using protective gear whenever spraying powder. A respirator (or gas mask) can keep you from inhaling any particles. Goggles, a long sleeve shirt, and disposable gloves are also helpful to keep the powder off you.
In summary, a double or even single layer of powder coating on your metal fence can extend the life, save hours of cleaning and maintenance over years, and simply keep your property looking better with a fence or gate that masks the signs of aging. I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and good luck with your projects.
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
65986 Views
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
65778 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
60117 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
41043 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
25705 Views
Latest Articles
Residential andCommercial HVAC Service: What’s the Difference
HVAC denotes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC systems assist in regulating the environmental temperatures and humidity while...
on Aug 3, 2022
Top 6 Things to Look for When Hiring a Professional Plumber
Whether you need to replace bathtub faucets or unclog drainage systems and kitchen sinks, a plumber does it all. However, look for a professional...
on Jul 21, 2022
Water Leaks
Water leaks are one of the most common causes of home damage and are one of the most expensive types of water damage to repair. If you are unsure...
on Jul 20, 2022
Controlling Moisture in Your House
Dampness and moisture are notorious for damaging properties indiscriminately. In a recent estimate, 14,000 people experience water damage at home...
on Jul 14, 2022
5 Tips for Refreshing Your Bathroom
The daily steam and moisture in your bathroom make it a breeding zone for mold and mildew, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and...
on Jul 14, 2022
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Juan Plumbing - Learn about SCAMs
on Sep 17, 2021
Hire Contractors / Estimates

I can firmly say, I'm only trying to be an advocate for a neighbor that is a DISABLED SENIOR who was taken advantage of in this SCAM. I feel the...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 259
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 236
- Real Estate / Finance — 190
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 181
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 146
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 140
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 116
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 114
- Doors / Garages — 112
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Why MDF is Better than Softwood
MDF skirting boards have become a popular alternative to the normal standard softwood. Should you ever find yourself needing to match existing...
Buying and Repurposing Secondhand Conex Containers
A vast majority of people call them freight containers, sea cans, storage containers, or bunker boxes but we call them Conex boxes. Did you know...
Home Repair: Questions to Ask Your HVAC Technician
Buying a great air conditioning and heating system should be a great investment and having parted with your cash and chosen a model that you...
Kansas Local Builders Associations
Find a local builder or council, please contact the home builders' association (HBA) in your area.
Illinois Local Builders Associations
Find a local builder or council, please contact the home builders' association (HBA) in your area.