Powder coating is an incredibly popular and efficient way to apply a protective coating to surfaces, particularly metal-based surfaces. The process involves spraying a powdery substance onto the surface, which is then cured with heat. This creates a hard layer of protection that protects your surfaces from corrosion and weathering.
Unfortunately, though powder coating can offer superior protection, it is not immune to scratches.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the truth about powder coating and scratches:
- What causes them?
- How you can minimise the risk of noticeable scuffs or gouges in your powder-coated surfaces.
- Why it’s essential to protect your investment if you have chosen to use this method.
What Causes Scratches on Powder-Coated Surfaces?
Scratches are caused when something rubs against the powdered surface repeatedly or with great force. This could be something like gravel or debris being kicked up on the road while driving at high speeds, tools that are dropped directly onto the surface (such as hammers), or sharp objects coming into contact with the surface (such as rocks).
Even something as simple as frequently brushing against the surface with clothing can cause scratches over time. When this happens, the protective layer of the powder is no longer intact, so the surface underneath is exposed and vulnerable.
This often results in a black mark where the scratch was. Over time, deeper marks can appear as the scratching continues, leading to rust or further damage to the substrate below. For this reason, it’s important to take measures to prevent these harmful impacts from occurring in the first place.
How Can You Minimise Risk When Dealing With Powder-Coated Surfaces?
You can take a few steps to reduce your risk of scratching powder-coated surfaces.
- First and foremost, you should avoid using anything abrasive on the surface. This means no steel wool pads, steel brushes, etc., which are all extremely likely to cause scratches due to their hardness and rough texture.
- Secondly, try not to place any heavy items directly onto your powder-coated surfaces—instead, opt for padding such as a rug or mat underneath them so as not to put too much strain on any area of the coating.
- Finally, be wary of any sharp objects coming into contact with your surfaces—even small pebbles kicked up by cars can cause damage if they hit at just the right angle or velocity!
Why Should You Protect Your Investment in Powder Coating?
Powder coating is an investment worth protecting; it typically offers superior protection to other methods like paint or enamel coatings due to its hardened resin layer that keeps out moisture and defends against corrosion and UV radiation damage.
When cared for appropriately (as outlined above), powder coating provides many years of reliable service. If ignored, it may show signs of wear quickly due to scratching from debris or mishandling during installation, transport, etc.
This degrades its aesthetic value and reduces its ability to protect your underlying material from weathering and corrosion, making protecting your investment all the more important!
Quick Evaluation Process for Determining the Level of Damage Caused by Scratches to a Powder-Coated Surface
The first step in evaluating the damage done to a powder-coated surface is assessing the depth and width of the scratches. This can be done by running your finger along them or using a tool such as a magnifying glass.
Generally, scratches that appear light grey or white and feel shallow when run over with your finger are considered minor and can often be easily fixed. On the other hand, more profound and broader scratches that appear darker or black and feel rougher when running your finger over them generally require more serious repairs.
Additionally, it is essential to determine if any powder coating has been removed from the surface due to the scratch, as this will also affect how difficult it will be to repair. If the scratched area appears darker than the rest of the coated surface and feels smooth to the touch, some of the coat has likely rubbed off.
In this case, you will need to remove the remainder of the used-up epoxy and apply a new topcoat to cover up the damage and protect the underlying material.
How to Repair and Reduce the Appearance of Scratches on a Powder-Coated Surface
Once you have evaluated the level of damage done by the scratch, it is time to repair it.
For minor scratches, often all that is needed is some touch-up paint applied directly onto them. However, for more severe scratches, you may need to apply primer before adding touch-up paint for it to adhere correctly to the surface. You may also need sandpaper to smooth out other imperfections on the surface caused by the scratch.
Once you have completed these steps, finish off with a clear coat of lacquer to protect your repaired area from further damage.
Maintenance Tips for Properly Caring for a Powder-Coated Surface
To reduce the risk of scratches occurring on your powder-coated surfaces, there are several maintenance tips one should keep in mind while caring for them on an ongoing basis:
- First, avoid using harsh cleaning materials such as steel wool or abrasive sponges, which can cause scratching even when used lightly. Instead, opt for softer materials such as microfiber cloths or brushes specifically designed for sensitive surfaces like those found on powder-coated items.
- Secondly, always handle objects gently when moving them around, as dropping them or mishandling them could cause accidental scratching on their surfaces.
- Lastly, maintain all equipment used around powder-coated items, such as wheelbarrows or ladders, in good condition so that they do not damage surfaces upon contact with them during use.
Following these simple guidelines, you can keep your powder-coated items in top condition for many years!
Best Practices for Reducing the Risk of Scratching a Power-Coated Surface
In addition to the proper care and maintenance tips mentioned above, there are further best practices one should consider incorporating into their routine when dealing with powder-coated items:
- Always use caution when placing items down on hard surfaces like concrete floors; consider using anti-scratch guards made from foam rubber, which act as cushioning between objects placed upon each other.
- Inspect furniture regularly for signs of wear and tear; be careful when shifting furniture since improper movement may cause chipping or scraping onto adjacent walls or surfaces.
- Take extra precautions, such as putting down rugs or mats where necessary. Utilise padding materials such as bubble wrap when moving delicate items, which could potentially cause scratching during transport.
- Finally, put warning signs next to items in vulnerable areas at home to alert people about taking extra care near these spots so that accidental scratching does not occur due to negligence from unaware individuals within the vicinity of items requiring special handling precautions.
By following these tips, you can easily reduce the likelihood of damaging powder-coated materials and keep them looking beautiful for years to come!
Conclusion,
The scratches on your powder-coated surface, can be something other than a permanent eyesore. With the right knowledge and tools, you can quickly repair them and restore your surface to its original condition.
If you need help with how to do this or would like professional assistance, our team is more than happy to help. Contact us today for a free consultation, and we’ll start repairing those pesky scratches for you.