POWDER COATING DOOR HARDWARE
The choice of finishes for door handles has its limitations, however there are other options. Powder coating is one way to change the colour of your door handles to follow current trends or to individualize your home or office.
Powder coating is a powder based paint that is baked onto the metal. The powder coat does gives a thick hard durable finish. The range of powdercoat colors is limited but there are still many to chose from. You can powdercoat your door handles and various other door hardware items. It is one way to add individuality and originality to your home or office.
Is there a difference between Paint and Powdercoat
The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powdercoat is that the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in coating and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin".
Powdercoat colors are limited when compared to house paints or acrylic car paints. The process of application is different. The purpose is different. But the options are there to pursue if that is the direction you desire.
Is there a difference between powdercoat and plated finish
It is important to remember that powdercoat is not as durable as plated finishes. You can expect several years of reasonable wear and tear to the surface when treated respectfully. And just like normal door handles, powdercoat is also subject to scratching from rings on fingers, contamination from hands, and accidental damage form objects.
Paint Your Own Door Handles
If you are feeling arts and crafts you can of course paint your own door handles. There are acrylic paints and enamel paints available that can be applied by brush to any surface. Enamel would be an ideal finish as it will dry bard, but will take longer than acrylic paint.
Can I powdercoat any handle
To apply powder-coating the object needs to be metal. The item needs to be able to be unassembled, and then of course reassembled. In some cases this is not practical as the powdercoat thickness prevents the object from working without damaging the powdercoat. This becomes apparent if your item has a slide function for example a strap bolt or barrel bolt where the shaft slides against the surface of the object housing it.
Most door handles and entrance handles can be powder-coated, In fact the invent and popularity of Matt Black has resulted in an increase and trend in powdercoat products.
Is powdercoat more expensive
It is not so much that powdercoat is more expensive but it is an extra added cost to the handle. You would need to purchase (or own) the handle in question. The handle would need to be pulled apart for the powdercoat process and then reassembled. The cost would be for the preparation and the application of the powdercoat finish.
We are experiencing more refurbishment projects where entry pull handles and door handles are being brought back to life with a powdercoat finish. If the door handles are still in good condition but just looking tatty, a powdercoat finish can and will bring a new life to them and your home.
If you are not sure or want some advice, please bring the item or a photo of the item into our showroom so that we can offer an assessment.
What if I scratch or chip my door handle powdercoat
It is going to happen! A chip or scratch will occur on your door handle. A handle that is in regular used will be subject to damage. Where the handle is chipped or scratched, I would recommend a visit to a craft shop or paint shop to acquire a small can of the paint color. And a small fine brush. You can do a simple careful patch job on the chip or scratch. Clean the surface of grease and grime. Carefully apply a small dab of paint to the chip area with the paintbrush. Allow it to dry for the required time. You could use a cotton bud to apply the paint to a scratch
If you want to be professional, and use sand paper, talk to the paint shop for the necessary items. A very fine sandpaper would be needed. Time and effort will get the job done. It is the easiest way to patch your handle. When dry after a couple of days, apply a wax polish to bring back to life.
Cleaning Door Handles
Cleaning of powder coating (and plated door handles) should be at best no more than warm water, dish washing liquid (glove free), and a clean cloth. Any chemical application can and will harm the paint surface.
It is advisable not to rub or use any form of scourer on the surface as this will damage the surface.
A spray on wax like Mr Sheen is recommended with the 'spray and wipe' application. Do not rub. Spray on wax is a chemical and as such can harm you door handle finish. That is why a simple spray and wipe application is recommended. Rubbing will damage your finish.
The Technical Aspect of Powder-coating
The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. Powder coating is mainly used for coating of metals, such as household appliances, aluminium extrusions, drum hardware and automobile and bicycle parts.
Because powder coating does not have a liquid carrier, it can produce thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging, and powder coating produces minimal appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces.
The most common way of applying the powder coating to metal objects is to spray the powder using an electrostatic gun, or corona gun. The gun imparts a positive electric charge to the powder, which is then sprayed towards the grounded object by mechanical or compressed air spraying and then accelerated toward the workpiece by the powerful electrostatic charge
When a thermoset powder is exposed to elevated temperature, it begins to melt, flows out, and then chemically reacts to form a higher molecular weight polymer in a network-like structure. This cure process, called crosslinking, requires a certain temperature for a certain length of time in order to reach full cure and establish the full film properties for which the material was designed.
Powdercoat Warranty
Warranty on powder coat can be 2 years plus, however the warranty only covers separation from the metal, and not chips or scratches.
It is important to remember that powder coat is still just a paint and as such it is susceptible to chipping, scratching, and deterioration over time.
Talk to us about powdercoat options and pricing. It may just be a solution.
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