Powder coating is an electrostatic process that applies dry paint or pigment particles with powerful electric charges, which means no solvents are needed. The powder can be applied by either spraying it onto the substrate or dipping it into a vat of liquid powder and then brush off any excess before taking it for curing in an oven.
What is powder coating?
Powder coating is an electrostatic process that applies dry paint or pigment particles with powerful electric charges, which means no solvents are needed. The powder can be applied by either spraying it onto the substrate or dipping it into a vat of liquid powder and then brush off any excess before taking it for curing in an oven.
How to start a business in the industry?
Powder coating is a dry finish, thick paint-like material applied to metal parts as a final step in the manufacturing process. It typically provides much greater wear resistance than traditional liquid or wet paints and leaves no residue on your hands when touched. However, you can’t just buy some powder and dip it onto pieces of metal for coating. You will need to have a powder coater machine for this purpose.
What is the cost to start a business in powder coating?
If you are looking for an investment of less than $50,000, consider buying second-hand equipment already built and ready to be used. For about $10,000, you can get a used flake coater (the most popular type of powder coating machine). For a commercial sprayer, expect to spend at least $35,000. The actual price will vary depending on the make and model as well as condition. Do not forget about the cost of installation and maintenance.
Equipment needed for the powder coating business
This is the most popular powder coater that uses an electrically or pneumatically powered rotating drum immersed in a vat filled with metallic oxide powder particles. A typical coating capacity for this machine ranges from 2 to 5 kg/hr, depending on its size and make. However, some flake coatings are still applied manually.
Among the many makes and models of flake coasters available, consider these popular brands: The Russell 2K Flaker or AirPower. Set your budget for at least $1,000 for these items but if you can afford more, do so since good ones don’t come cheap. You’ll also need to RC-4, both made by Powder Tech International. The Monaco A-60 is manufactured by Klingspor Engineering Inc (KEI). For a complete list of manufacturers and their offerings, check out this resource:
Safety precautions and regulations to follow
Although paint manufacturers have developed safer and less polluting paints in the last few years, you still need to take precautions when handling this material. The most common safety measure is using gloves at all times, but there are others as well, such as eye protection, work clothes for easy cleaning, and keeping your working area clean and free.
- The cost of starting a new company in this field, including startup costs and other factors that need to be considered before making any decisions about your future career path
- Â Potential jobs available with this profession, as well as what you might expect when it comes to salary ranges and job responsibilities for each position.
- A typical powder coating operator will typically require a minimum of 3 weeks of training, which includes both theoretical and practical elements.
- The following are the main positions that you can get when working in this industry.
The education and skills required for each job available, as well as the average time it takes to gain the necessary experience or training before you can begin working in a powder coating business.
Additional information that might be useful if you consider a career in this industry, such as any licensure/certification requirements that must be met, average salaries, and any employment trends that might be worth considering.
This is the most popular powder coater that uses an electrically or pneumatically powered rotating drum immersed in a vat filled with metallic oxide powder particles. A typical coating capacity for this machine ranges from 2 to 5 kg/hr, depending on its size and make. However, some flake coatings are still applied manually.
Among the many makes and models of flake coasters available, consider these popular brands: The Russell 2K Flaker or AirPower. Set your budget for at least $1,000 for these items but if you can afford more, do so since good ones don’t come cheap. You’ll also need to RC-4, both made by Powder Tech International.
Market the business
There are a few industries that use powder coating to improve the appearance and durability of their products. In fact, if you google “powder coatings,” you’ll get dozens of results for companies offering this service. That said, there are still limited work opportunities available, but if you’re looking into running your own business, then you should know that this is a potentially lucrative industry.
Below are some of the industries that use powder coating services:
Aircraft. Powder coating is used in aircraft applications to provide more protection from weather and other environmental conditions. You’ll also find that this method decreases engine noise compared with painted surfaces, which makes it ideal for certain military vehicles.
Auto body. Many modern vehicles are being offered with polyurethane powder coating systems, making the car lighter and more fuel-efficient.
Get Referrals
Since powder coating is such a niche business, getting referrals to get your business started is important. If you are looking for referrals do, the following:
Join local business clubs and attend networking events
Participate in industry associations and conferences
Get involved with clients while you are working as an employee of other powder coating companies. You can also work toward forming alliances with others in the field – or even merge with another powder coating business
Get family and friends to help you by spreading the word about your business through social media
Additional resources, such as books, websites, and industry-related magazines that can provide additional information on this profession.
How to start a Powder Coating Business Conclusion
This guide was designed to give you the best information possible on a trendy niche business: powder coating. I hope that it has been useful in your search for a new career path or any other reasons that might have prompted you to read it, such as research on the industry to get into or any other reason.
As is the case with most small businesses, it will require a considerable amount of hard work and dedication to succeed. Still, if you’re passionate about doing it, then you’ll find that your efforts are gratifying.
