Blog Post

Should You Choose Powder or Ceramic Coating?

  • By Rose Robison
  • 06 Jul, 2017

What's the Better Choice for Your Next Project?

Decisions. Decisions. You’re making them every day. Some are big and important; others are small and trivial. But they all have one thing in common: You need the right information so that you can make the right decision.

Take the type of coating you’ll use on your new parts, for example. There are options out there, each with its pros and cons. So, you need to know what they are before you can make a sound decision.

When it comes to coatings, it usually boils down to a choice between powder vs. ceramic. Which one should you use? Here they are. See which one works better for your application.

Powder Coating: Tough and Resistant to Abuse

Powder Coating is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The process uses static electricity and compressed air to cause the electrically charged powdered plastic to adhere evenly to your part’s surface. The part is then baked at a certain temperature for a specified time, which melts the powder and allows it to flow together and cure to a hard finish that adheres to the underlying metal.

The Advantages of Powder Coating

You will have a variety of powders from which to choose. They come in different compositions to match your intended use. There are many colors and finishes to coordinate with the overall project. Any conductive metal can be a candidate for powder coating. At Van Industries, we can powder coat an amazing variety of items, including automobile frames from antiques to customs to Ford F350 Extended Cabs!

No matter what material you decide to coat, it will be considerably more durable if you choose powder coating over paint. If you want to do it yourself, consider a source like DMC2 Products, a company of Van Industries, Inc. to purchase high-quality powder coating colors in quantities as small as one pound.

Ceramic Coating: Adding Life to Your Components

Ceramic coating is a high-solid paint product which is concentrated with ceramic powder. Initially developed for the aerospace industry, the process is now used throughout the auto industry on components that include exhaust manifolds, headers, mufflers, and intake manifolds.

Ceramic coating is applied with a high-volume paint gun and compressed air. Parts are usually baked beforehand to get rid of impurities and to burn off any old paint or grease.

Why Use Ceramic Coating?

The ceramic coating process gives parts a durable finish that reduces heat transfer. It also inhibits corrosion, making metals last longer. Ceramic coated components resist most stains and are impervious to oil and fuel. In addition to adding life to your components, ceramic coating creates a thermal barrier, in some cases cutting radiant heat in half and reducing temperatures under the hood.

And, the Winner is…  Actually, both of these coating methods are excellent! Use the information above for input in selecting what is best for your next project.

Need Help? Contact Us!

Van Industries has experience in both powder and ceramic coating, and we can help you determine which is best for your particular application. Contact us online or call us at 610-582-1118 for expert advice for all you powder or ceramic coating needs.
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