Powder Coating
Vitreous enamel is renowned for its durability, fire resistance, and ability to last a lifetime, and remains our material of choice for flat surfaces and applications where long-term performance is required. However, for certain applications and projects powder coating can be the right choice. By offering both vitreous enamel and powder-coating finishes, we ensure that we can deliver the best possible solution for every project.
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a resilient surface finish typically applied to metalwork as a dry powder via a spray gun. It is electrostatically applied before being cured using heat or UV light.
Why use powder coating?
Ideal for intricate shapes and extrusions
While vitreous enamel is the go-to for flat surfaces, powder coating is particularly suited for more complex shapes such as extrusions, which often form the frames of our vitreous enamel products as well as this bespoke light box project for the launch of the Sony Playstation 5 (above).
Wide Range of Colours
As you can see in the project above for artist Laura Aldridge, powder coating opens up a wide range of colour possibilities. It is a useful alternative when a specific shade cannot be achieved through vitreous enamel.
Cost-Effective for Shorter-Term Projects
Powder coating is more affordable upfront than vitreous enamel, making it a practical solution for projects that don’t require the super longevity vitreous enamel provides.
Powder coating aluminium
One of the key advantages of powder coating is its compatibility with aluminium, which cannot withstand the high temperatures involved in the vitreous enamel process.
More benefits of powder coating
Durability and Versatility
Although not as durable as vitreous enamel, powder coating provides good resistance to wear and tear offering protection against chipping, scratching, and fading.
Environmentally Friendly
The process is solvent-free, releasing no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it still an environmentally sound choice. The longevity and recylability of vitreous enamel makes it the greener choice, however.
Efficient Application
Powder coating requires less curing time than liquid paints or coatings, which is ideal for fast-track projects that require a reduced lead time.
Creative Flexibility
Powder coating has a wide range of colour possibilities and is ideal when high detail photographic style artwork is required.
Applications of powder coating at A.J. Wells
The unsung hero of this challenging Premier Inn project installation was the powder coated framing.
While we recommend vitreous enamel for most jobs, our powder coating service broadens the range of projects we can accommodate. Powder coating is perfect for:
- Architectural metalwork – creating durable, visually appealing finishes for structural elements.
- Signage and cladding – including components used alongside our vitreous enamel products. All our TfL frames are powder coated internally for example.
- Interior and exterior frameworks – providing protection and aesthetic appeal in both public and private spaces.
- Specialist metalwork – offering a reliable, high-quality finish for bespoke or intricate designs.
Why choose our powder coating service?
As the UK’s leading specialists in vitreous enamel and recent King’s Award winner, we bring the same attention to detail and commitment to quality to our powder coating services. We are the principal supplier of cladding and signage to the London Underground and have a fantastic team with over 50 years of experience working on a range of outstanding projects. Our team work to ensure that every project meets the very high standards our clients expect from A.J. Wells.
Vitreous enamel or powder coating?
Both finishes have their strengths. Vitreous enamel is the superior choice for flat surfaces, offering unmatched durability and fire resistance. Powder coating, on the other hand, is perfect for extrusions, aluminium, and projects requiring intricate detailing or certain colours. It’s also more cost-effective for projects where longevity is not the primary concern.
Contact us
Whatever the requirements of your project, we can help you choose the right solution. Please contact us to discuss your project and learn more about how our powder coating service can complement your next build.
FAQs
What powder coating colours are available?
We offer a wide range of colours for powder coating, with an extensive palette of standard colours as well as custom options. Powder coating provides excellent flexibility for achieving specific design aesthetics, making it ideal when a certain shade cannot be achieved with vitreous enamel. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your project requirements, and we can provide more details on colour availability.
Can you powder coat aluminium?
Yes, aluminium can be powder coated. In fact, powder coating is often used for aluminium extrusions and projects where high temperatures involved in vitreous enamel processing are unsuitable. It provides a strong, durable finish that complements aluminium’s lightweight properties, making it a great choice for architectural and industrial applications.
Can you powder coat plastic?
Yes, advancements in powder coating technology now allow certain plastics and composite materials to be coated. The process is best suited for materials that can withstand the heat of curing or ultraviolet (UV) light treatment. If you’re considering powder coating for plastics, please contact us to discuss the specific material and project requirements.