What You Need to Know About Powder Coatings for Building

Powder coatings for building materials have become more popular over the past ten to fifteen years. There are many good reasons for this. The fact that the coating is sprayed on, rather than dipping into the concrete or other material, makes it much easier to remove. It also leaves a much better-looking surface and gives the coating an extended warranty. While these are all great reasons for having a coating on your building, there are some things you need to know before you get started.

The first thing you need to know is that there are a few different types of coatings to choose from. The two most common types are latex and epoxy. Of those two, the epoxy tends to be more commonly used for concrete or cement surfaces, because of its added durability. Of the two, however, the most popular is the powder coating. Powder coatings are becoming increasingly popular for other building materials, as well, including metals and roofing materials.

Powder coatings can be applied to just about any surface. If you're having problems with moisture getting into your building materials, or you want to make sure that rust doesn't have a chance to set in, then powder coatings may be what you're looking for. Another great thing about these coatings is that they are available in such a wide variety of colors that you can match them up with the rest of your current decorations. While you can buy them already stained, sometimes you can get a little creative and stain your existing furniture, or your new cabinets, yourself.

One thing that you'll have to take into consideration, though, is whether or not your coating is a non-slip agent. If it isn't, you're going to want to make sure that you put down a skid-proof floor mat at the entrance to your garage. It will be much safer and more comfortable, if the floor is a bit slanted than if you have concrete on the ground. If you are having trouble finding an appropriate coating to match up with your building materials, remember that different types of coating work best with certain types of materials. For example, oil-based coatings tend to work better with wooden surfaces, while water-based ones will work better with concrete surfaces.

One of the most important things to keep in mind about applying powder coatings is that you should never dry-fit the coating to your metal or wood panels. This will lead to warping and cracking. Instead, allow the powder to dry on a soft cloth, and then put them on your panels one at a time. Never spray a powder coating on a concrete panel, as the chemical compounds used to coat they can react with the concrete and cause it to corrode.

When you are applying the coating, it's important that you always go over the surface with a sander. Even a fine dusting of the powder will make a big difference in how the finish looks. Also, be sure to apply the coating to all of the visible surfaces of your building so that the finish doesn't run into hidden areas. You want the finishing to be completely smooth, and it's only by getting the best results that you will see this happen. Powder coating is a great way to help protect your building materials from damage, but only if you follow the instructions.