If you want to change the look of something around your house, from a doorknob to a piece of patio furniture to an appliance, spray painting and powder coating can both seem like excellent options to get the job done. As a matter of fact, if you haven’t done a lot of DIY projects in the past, you may have trouble figuring out which of these methods is right for you.
That’s where this guide can help! As you read on, you will see comparisons of various attributes of both spray paint and powder coat products. When you’re finished reading, you should have an idea of which option is the best one for your upcoming DIY renovation project based on how much money you want to spend, how long you want the finish to last, and other important factors that will differ from one job to another.
It’s important to keep in mind that some do-it-yourself projects are better suited to either spray paint or powder coat, so just because someone you know had success with one of these finishing options doesn’t mean you should automatically choose it without doing research first.
Durability and longevity
Powder coat wins the durability and longevity battle, but with a caveat. Although the initial application of a powder coat finish can last for decades if done correctly, it cannot be touched-up once it’s done; the entire item would have to be powder coated again. Spray paint, on the other hand, can be touched-up as soon as it is dry (or even while it is still slightly damp). This is important if you want to be able to make changes to your paint job as you go.
Wet or dry application
Although spray paint dries quickly, it does go on wet, so you’ll have to be careful around your newly painted household item for at least a couple of hours. The powder coat application process, though, is completely dry. You will, however, need an application system if you want to try powder coating. Spray painting a small surface area can be done with nothing more than the can the paint is sold in.
Done at home or at a shop
Although powder coating can certainly be done in your garage or workshop at home, you will have to invest in hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of equipment in order to do even one project. Therefore, unless you intend to start some type of small business that involves powder coating, it is best to take your household item to a shop that is already set up to handle powder coat finishes.
Spray painting, as you probably already know, can be done in any well-ventilated area, such as a deck or front porch, with no equipment other than the spray paint can itself. Due to this, people who are doing small projects, such as changing the color of kitchen cabinet hinges and hardware, often choose to spray paint at home instead of powder coating.
Better for the environment
Both spray painting and powder coating have a relatively low environmental impact. Spray painting, however, is considered to have a low to moderate impact, while powder coating has a minimal impact. In either case, the potential negative influence on the environment is not a deciding factor for most Carolina homeowners who are planning to update the looks of certain home furnishings.
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of which refinishing method is right for your needs. Because powder coating is less common than spray painting, it’s a good idea to get in touch with the local powder coat company you’re planning on using before going ahead with your job. This way, you can get answers to any questions you may have and get a price quote. Powder coating tends to be significantly more expensive than spray painting upfront, even though it lasts longer.