Aluminum by its nature does not rust. It will not have red/brown rust colors like untreated steel can have; instead it will oxidize into a cloudy and white powdery finish over a long period of time in adverse conditions. To protect against this oxidation, we utilize high quality aluminum to begin with and powder-coat it using the above process. The seal formed on the outside of the aluminum acts as a protective layer against corrosion and creates a uniform and beautiful finish on the aluminum.

POWDER COATED STEEL

Steel is strong and allows for small dimensions with outdoor furniture. It’s heavier than aluminum, and it does have the potential to rust. We powder-coat our steel furniture. Steel’s weight and feel denotes high quality and permanence. We want the finish to produce that feeling of longevity as well. We use the same powder-coating process as detailed above in the (Powder-coated Aluminum) section. The sheath that is created on steel components is equally effective at stopping potential corrosion as detailed above.

The colors and finish texture on powder-coated steel provides a beautiful protective layer against the effects of nature on your outdoor furniture.

GALVANIZED STEEL

Teak Warehouse also offers steel furniture that has been finished in a galvanized coating. This is a thin skin of zinc material that renders the steel, highly resistant to rust (it won’t rust where the galvanization is intact), and gives it a beautiful raw, metallic, multi-dimensional silver and grey color. This finish is beautiful long-lasting and offers a unique finish that you won’t be able to find on many pieces of outdoor furniture. This finish is NOT powder-coating. It is an entirely separate process of treating the steel for corrosion resistance and to give it a finished quality. It is listed with the above materials, because it has similar care instructions and because the base material is the same.

HOW LONG DOES POWDER COATING LAST?

POWDER COATING PRE-TREATMENT

Pre-treating your substrate is the most important process to getting maximum life out of your powder coat. Because the powder particles are electrostatically charged onto the surface, it’s imperative for that surface to be clean for proper adherence. Most pre-treatment includes stripping any existing coating and corrosion, and cleaning the bare metal.

If your substrate is pre-treated poorly or not at all, your powder coat will chip easily and have a very short life.

At PowderTech, our new automated six-stage pre-treatment system is the best solution available for a thorough and consistent cleaning. Even laser scale can be removed. Manual washes are also available, if your project requires it. PowderTech uses only environmentally safe chemicals for all pre-treatment solutions.

What are the Benefits?

Here are 7 reasons why we powder coat the steel frames for our shade structures:

Durability. Powder coating adds to the steel’s durability, helping the frame to withstand damages better and last longer.

Corrosion Resistant. Moisture and humidity can cause metal frames to rust. When applied to steel, powder coating provides a protective barrier that helps prevent corrosion.

Chip Resistant.Unlike other treatments that can easily crack, peel, chip, scratch and corrode, powder coated steel frames are more durable and can withstand the environment better.

No Maintenance. Because of its durability and resistance to abrasion and corrosion, powder coated steel require little to no maintenance.

Long Lasting Finish and Colors. Powder coating provides a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. Because of this, colors stay brighter and vibrant longer than other methods.

Environmentally Safe.The powder coating process has little impact on the environment. It requires no harmful solvents and does not emit vapors or fumes like liquid paint does.

10 Year Pro-Rated Warranty. We stand by our engineer designed, powder coated steel frame by offering a 10-year pro-rated warranty.

How to Protect Your Powder-Coated Surfaces

Powder coating is an outstanding way to add stability to metal applications. Of course, some routine maintenance is needed to make sure those powder-coated surfaces stay in good condition for many years to come.

There are many conditions that can contribute to shortening the lifespan of your powder coating. Long-term exposure to sun, rain, wind, cold weather, salt water, electrical currents or contact with dissimilar metals are all examples of common causes of degradation of powder coating. With so many possible elements out there that could compromise the coating, it’s no surprise that most powder-coated surfaces will break down at some point, which makes it extremely important to engage in regular maintenance and limit the exposure to these elements as much as reasonable or possible.

Here are some tips about how you can protect your powder-coated service, from a company specializing in metal fabrication in Umatilla County, OR.

Using wax to protect exposed surfaces

Finished surfaces that will come into contact with other objects or that will be handled by people will always benefit from being treated with wax. Some examples of these kinds of surfaces include handrails, guardrails, outdoor furniture, lighting fixtures and stairways.

To protect these surfaces, apply a light coating of a high-grade, non-abrasive vehicle wax. The brand of wax you choose should contain a UV inhibitor or blocker. Don’t purchase compound-type waxes, as these waxes have abrasives that could damage the powder coating. In addition, make sure you wipe off excess wax remaining on the surface after application. This excess wax could bake into place if left there, which would cause staining of the surface.

Properly clean your powder-coated surfaces

There are several methods you can use to clean your powder-coated surfaces. The most efficient method is pressure cleaning, which is especially useful for larger surfaces, furniture and structures. Put the pressure washer on a low setting and use filtered water to prevent stains from building up on the surface of the metal.

You can also use a simple mixture of a mild soap and water. When applying the solution, use a soft cloth or brush. The soap you choose should have emulsifiers meant to break down stains and debris. Exposed surfaces should be cleaned regularly—every week or every other week. All it takes is a quick wipe-down.

Finally, make sure you avoid using commercial cleaning solutions. While these products are often extremely effective at removing grease and dirt, they can also cause damage to powder coating, removing layers of the finish, which could, over time, compromise the integrity of that finish and the protected metal part. These coatings will first become stiff and then start to chip.

But as long as you make proper cleaning and regular maintenance a priority, you could double or triple the service life of the powder coating.

For more information about how you can better maintain your powder-coated surfaces, contact a company specializing in metal fabrication in Umatilla County, OR. Reach out to NW Metal Fabricators Inc. today to learn more!