What is powder coating?

Powder Coating is a completely dry, environmentally friendly and solvent free finishing process.  A mix of finely ground particles of plastic resins, pigments, and fillers are electrostatically charged with high voltage and carried by low velocity air to the surface of the electrically grounded piece to be coated. The applied powder is then heated (cured) in a specially designed curing oven to its melting point, allowing the powder components to “flow out” into a liquid form.   After curing for a specific amount of time, the part is then removed and allowed to cool, revealing a high-quality, attractive, durable finish very resistant to scratches, cracking, peeling, UV rays and rust.  Unlike most liquid paints, epoxies and urethanes which have long cure times, a powder coated part can be immediately placed into service once it has cooled.

 Is this a new process and where is it used? 

The powder coating process has been around for approximately 50 years. It has been the number one finish choice of many manufacturers in a wide range of industries for many years. Powder coating finishes can be found on motorcycles, automobile parts and frames, agricultural equipment, garden equipment, aviation parts and recreation equipment including bicycles, boats, recreational vehicles, ATV’s and golf equipment, etc.

 How many colors and textures are available?

Color selection is virtually unlimited with high and low gloss, metallic, textures, clears and special effect finishes available. Powder coating colors stay bright and vibrant longer than conventional wet paints. Texture selections range from smooth surfaces to a wrinkled or matte finish and rough textures designed for hiding surface imperfections.

 What is your turn-around time?

We complete all jobs in a first in - first out basis. We do our best to keep turnaround time to approximately 2 weeks.  However, larger jobs like wheel sets, complete engines or larger motorcycle frames may take longer.  Due to the pride we take in providing quality finishes, we will not rush a job and run the risk of compromised quality.  We will notify you of any unexpected delays as soon as possible.

 Do you use any reclaimed powder?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!  All of our powders are sourced from the top powder suppliers in the world and are 100% pure, virgin powders.

 What are the advantages of powder coating?

Though not “indestructible” as many claim, powder coatings are much more durable than liquid paint.  Comparatively, liquid paints are hard, not very pliable and relatively thin. The characteristics result in a finish that can easily be chipped, is not very flexible (e.g., not suitable for springs), and will scratch easily. Powder coating, on the other hand, maintains good hardness while remaining very pliable, making it ideal for items that flex or bend, and is generally thicker compared to paint, creating a tough, durable finish that is much more chip resistant than paint. Powder coated parts resist cracking, peeling, and marring during handling and normal service use better than almost any liquid painted surface.

Because of the unique method with which powder coatings are applied, powder coatings provide a tough, attractive finish of superior consistency and uniformity without sags, drips, runs, or bubbles. Powder coatings are available to provide extra protection from ultra-violet rays, corrosion, abrasion, and chemicals. Some types are even approved for use by the FDA in food grade applications. 

Can anything be powder coated?

Generally speaking, powder coating can be applied to any surface (generally metal) that can maintain an electrostatic charge and can withstand approximately 425˚ F (218˚ C). It should be noted that magnesium and aluminum castings may experience out-gassing, and therefore may require added treatment processes (at additional cost) to ensure a quality finish.

Can you powder coat directly over chrome plating?

Generally speaking, the answer is yes. Provided the surface is not blistering, pitted or peeling, a shiny chrome surface is an excellent base for “candy” or translucent finishes which need a shiny base to allow the transparent finish to shine.  In cases where the desired powder coat finish is opaque, we recommend that chrome plated parts are stripped to bare metal before coating.

Can powder coating be painted or airbrushed over with designs?

Absolutely! Custom graphic designs or pictures can be applied to the cured powder coated surface just like painted surfaces.  After the graphic work is completed, a clear powder coating is applied to protect the surface and provide an attractive finish that doesn’t take away from the artwork.

Does powder coating require any special preparation? 

The key to a long lasting powder coat finish is in the preparation of the substrate.  Very generally, the preparation and coating process involves the following critical steps:

1)  Pre-preparation:  The part is stripped of all components that are not to be coated and/or cannot tolerate the curing temperatures required for powder coating.  The parts are then washed using strong industrial cleaners to remove all surface soils and loose contaminants and as much of the original finish as possible.

2)  Clean, clean, clean!:  Every part is subjected to intensive cleaning processes that are designed to ensure the substrate is absolutely bare and free of any oils, dirt, rust, mill scale, wax, silicones, etc.  These processes most often include abrasive blasting or chemical cleaning (and many times BOTH) to create the optimum surface profile to provide maximum coating adhesion.

3)  Pre-Bake:  Each piece is pre-baked to purge the surface of any trapped moisture, oils, gasses or other impurities that risk damage to the finish.

4)  Final Cleaning:  The part is once again subjected to an intensive cleaning process designed to remove any residues released from the substrate surface during the pre-bake operation.

5)  Conversion Coating (Some Substrates): Some substrates are subjected to a chemical conversion coating that further cleans and modifies the surface composition of the metal to further protect it and improve the surface for powder adherence.

6)  Masking:  All areas that are to remain free of any coating are masked using special high temperature tapes and/or caps and plugs.

7)  Powder Application:  The parts are “racked” on holding fixtures and electrically grounded.  The powder is then electrostatically applied using specialized, high-voltage application equipment until a smooth, even coat of powder covers every surface of the substrate.

8)  Curing:  The coated parts are moved into a specially designed curing oven that carefully ramps the part temperature to the specified curing temperature and maintains that temperature for the prescribed cure time.  Once the finish is fully cured, the part is allowed to cool to room temperature to allow subsequent coatings to be applied (where required) or for final preparation and delivery.

9)  Final Preparation:  All parts are carefully cleaned and inspected for quality.  If the part meets all quality standards, it is carefully wrapped and packed for shipping.

Is there any way to reduce the cost of powder coating and what do I need to do to prepare my piece for you? 

Good question!  The most labor intensive part of powder coating is the preparation. The biggest single expense involved in powder coating is the pre-preparation of the parts.  If you have the ability to totally disassemble your parts and strip them of all the rubber and plastic items, and clean the parts of all grease and paint before sending, you can avoid any extra preparation costs.  If you choose to do this work yourself, please DO NOT use any abrasive media to clean your parts (e.g., glass beads, sand blasting, etc.)!  In most cases, the average media blasting cabinet and media is neither clean enough or of the proper material to prevent contaminants from being driven into the surface of the part, making it almost impossible to get clean enough for powder coating. 

We can do all of this work for you of course, but additional charges will be required and can increase the cost and the timing of the job considerably.  Please understand that if you send greasy, heavily rusted or assembled parts, the cost to produce an acceptable finish WILL INCREASE.

SPECIAL NOTE:  ALL brake calipers, wheel cylinders, clutch master and slave cylinders and brake master cylinders that are shipped to Orion Tristar Coatings to be powder coated MUST be completely disassembled and free of any brake fluid residue before shipping.  Parts received in assembled form or containing brake fluid residue will be returned in the condition they were received.

What is clear powder coating and is it required?

Clear powder coating serves the same purpose as the clear coat in liquid paint processes. It protects the underlying finish and is available in semi gloss and high gloss.  High gloss clear adds depth and luster to the surface and works very well to protect highly polished surfaces from oxidation and eliminates the need to continually polish the parts to maintain their brilliance.

There are some powder coat colors that have high metallic-solids content or are especially UV sensitive and must be clear coated to protect the finish from oxidation or fading.  In particular, neon colors and most metallic and “chrome-like” powder coat finishes require a clear coat and are priced accordingly.  Additionally, any “dormant” powder colors require a final coat of clear to produce their final, unique color effect.  As a process, clear powder coat is applied as a final coat and the part is returned to the oven for a full curing process.

If I ship my parts to Orion Tristar Coatings, how do I package them? 

We ask you to ship your parts insured via UPS, in a sturdy box with plenty of padding between them to avoid any contact with other parts (including the box). Please place small parts in a plastic zip-lock bag and label them clearly so they are easy to identify upon receipt. We will package all parts using these same guidelines and return them to you by prepaid shipping unless other arrangements are made.  Our preferred carrier is UPS and we highly recommend their packing services if you are unable to pack to these recommendations yourself.

What forms of payment do you accept? 

We accept cash, Visa & MasterCard through the PayPal service or money orders. Payment by check requires preauthorization.

Why should I use Orion Tristar Coatings for my powder coating?

Orion Tristar Coatings is committed to your satisfaction.  As automotive and motorcycle enthusiasts ourselves, we refuse to let anything leave our shop that we wouldn’t be proud to put on our own cars and motorcycles!

How much heat can powder coating withstand?

Most standard powder formulations are rated at 250 - 300˚ F continuous operating temperatures.  High-temp and ceramics are often rated in excess of 1000˚ and are quite capable of being used successfully on turbo housings, exhaust headers, mufflers, etc.

How do I care for my powder coated items?

Caring for powder coated items is much like caring for painted items. Wash them carefully with soap and water, rinse and dry. Waxing with premium automotive wax is also acceptable. If fine scratches appear in the finish, they can be removed by lightly wet sanding the finish with 1500 - 2000 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper, and then buff with very fine professional automotive buffing compound (like 3M Perfect It) until the sandpaper scratches disappear, and the part regains its shine. Be careful to use LIGHT PRESSURE as too much will create a “hot spot” and damage the coating further.

How large a part can you powder coat?

At the present time, our oven capacity is 36"x36"x72". Any part that will fit in a box of that size with approximately 3” to spare on all sides will work.

How much will it cost to powder coat my parts?

We work hard to offer our powder coating services at reasonable rates. However, due to the varied nature of the condition of parts, and the level of preparation work required, most parts must be quoted on an individual basis.

When contacting us by email for a quote, please include detailed pictures of your parts as you are prepared to ship them.  This will help us to more accurately estimate the cost of the work.

Do you offer pick-up and delivery service?

This can be arranged within the Detroit Metro area of southeastern Michigan.  Please feel free to contact us for questions and fees for this service.

Is powder coating environmentally friendly?

Powder coating is an environmentally friendly process unlike solvent-based wet paint systems. Liquid paints often contain solvents, which can contribute to air pollution and, in some cases, ozone depletion. Powder does not contain any solvents and releases negligible amounts of VOCs into the atmosphere, resulting in no air pollution.  The transfer efficiency of modern powder coating processes results in significantly less overspray and the material that doesn’t adhere to the part can be easily captured in filters and simply vacuumed/swept up and disposed of with like any other common household waste.  Furthermore, many wet painting processes generate significant volumes of semi-solid waste “sludge” which must be disposed of into hazardous waste landfills. Modern powder coating materials generate no such hazardous waste.