Powder coating outperforms wet paint in most industrial applications — but not always. A comparison by durability, environmental impact, and cost.
Surface finish is not just an aesthetic choice. On a factory machine housing, UV resistance matters; on an outdoor structure, corrosion protection; on a pharma cabinet, chemical resistance.
Powder coating benefits
- Durability: 60–100 µm thickness, even layer, scratch-resistant surface.
- Salt spray resistance: with phosphating pre-treatment and correct film thickness, powder-coated surfaces can withstand 500–1000 hours in the ISO 9227 salt spray test — a decisive factor for outdoor and coastal environments.
- Eco-friendly: no solvents, excess powder is recovered and reused.
- Economical: significantly cheaper than wet paint at high volume.
- Immediate handling: ready to use straight out of the oven.
When is wet paint better?
For large or heat-sensitive parts where the 180–200 °C oven is not an option. For special effects (e.g. metallic finish), or for one-off short runs where fast colour changes matter.
The Linardics Gema OptiCenter robotic line handles 200+ RAL colours on parts up to 3,000 × 1,500 × 800 mm. Phosphating pre-treatment ensures perfect adhesion.