Fact:  Powder coat can be either functional or decorative in emphasis.  The majority of modern powder coats are classified as decorative finishes, formulated to maximize color, gloss, and texture.  Powder coats formulated for maximum corrosion resistance, as might be required for outdoor applications in the marine and architectural industries, are classified as functional finishes.

Myth: Powder coat is primarily a corrosion barrier coating, and all powder coatings are excellent corrosion barrier coatings.

Fact: Some powder coats are excellent corrosion barrier coatings, and some are not.  Powder coats classified as decorative finishes, while smooth and glossy to the naked eye, can be porous on a microscopic scale and therefore not the best corrosion barrier coating.  In outdoor applications requiring a decorative finish, excellent corrosion resistance can be achieved by using a two coat primer-top coat finish, or even a three coat primer-top coat-clear coat finish.  The ultimate in corrosion barrier coatings are powder coats classified as functional finishes, as they do not have the porosity inherent in decorative finishes.

Myth:  Powder coating is a commodity service and all powder coat shops pretty much do the same thing.

Fact: It is important to use a powder coat shop that you have confidence in. The performance of powder coat is equally a function of the coating process and the metal pretreatment prior to coating.  Pretreatment may include washing, degreasing, paint stripping, abrasive blasting, phosphate coating, rinsing, and high temperature out gassing.  The coating process requires stringent controls on handling, masking, cleanliness, compressed air quality, and oven operation.  If corners are cut it is possible to coat a part that will initially look beautiful but with a finish that will chip or rub off, fade, or have no corrosion resistance.

Myth:  You can buy a hobbyist powder coat kit for under $100 and get the same results as a professional powder coat shop.

Fact:  You can buy a hobbyist powder coat kit for under $100, and you may be able to get satisfactory results.  It all depends on what coating you are putting on, what results you are expecting, what kind of pretreatment you can do, and what size and type of oven you have.   Typical non-convection kitchen ovens heat radiantly from the bottom, which can scorch powder on one side of your part while the other side is undercured.  You can’t expect the same process control and uniformity of finish as a professional shop with a $5k powder gun and $80k oven, but you can have a lot of fun.