Things You Can’t Powder Coat

admin • September 1, 2016

things you can't powder coat Powder coating can give materials a colorful yet durable finish that is weather resistant, water resistant, and even abrasion resistant. There are many things that you can powder coat, the most common material being metal, but you can also powder coat some plastics, glass, some wood, and MDF. However, not all materials can be powder coated. Read on to learn what you can’t powder coat.

Wood

Wood is tricky to powder coat for two reasons — the first that it doesn’t always withstand the extreme temperature, and second that it isn’t always electrically conductive. The first can be combatted by using a low temperature process, and the second by selecting a wood that is electrostatic, such as MDF. However, it is not always possible to powder coat wood.

Glass

Powder coating glass requires additional work in order to powder coat it. Sometimes, simply putting a piece of metal on the other side of the glass will help the powder stick, although this method is not always effective. Again, you have to make sure that the object you are trying to powder coat can withstand the temperatures of the oven. Bring in your glass object and we can consult you on the best steps forward.

Plastics

Unfortunately, most plastics cannot withstand the heat of the ovens, causing them to melt (the curing process requires temperatures upwards of 400 degrees). Plastic is also not naturally electrically charged. However, some plastics can be powder coated if you keep the temperatures low and if the plastic is durable enough.

Fabric

Every once in awhile, we are asked if we can powder coat fabric. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Fabric would not be able to withstand the extreme temperatures of the oven. It is better to use processes such as dye sublimation to achieve your desired look.

Items Without a Charge

If you do try to powdercoat an item that doesn’t have a charge, typically the spray will not stick to the object and end up on the ground instead. However, you can preheat some items and powdercoat them while they are still hot. The powder coating will melt when it touches the hot object, and you can coat the entire thing this way. However, it is possible to put too much powder coating on by using this method, compromising the integrity of the paint.

If you’re wondering what we can and can’t powder coat, don’t hesitate to bring in your object, or fill out our contact form for more information.

The post Things You Can’t Powder Coat appeared first on Full Blown Coatings.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Share This Post!

Black and white close-up of a jet engine, showing blades, central cone, and surrounding cowling.

Why powder coating for aerospace under ISO/AS9100 matters

By Admin • January 27, 2026

TL;DR — Powder Coating for Aerospace (ISO/AS9100) Powder coating provides durable, lightweight, low-VOC protection for aerospace interiors, avionics housings, and ground-support equipment. ISO/AS9100 adds aviation-grade controls: documented travelers, first article inspection, calibrated gauges, cure logs, and full traceability. Performance depends on disciplined prep: precision cleaning, media blasting, conversion coating, outgassing, masking, and purpose-built racking with solid grounding. Cure is validated with thermocouples on representative mass to hit time-at-temperature. Film build is held within spec and Faraday areas are engineered up front. Release testing covers thickness, adhesion, impact, bend, gloss, color delta, humidity or salt fog, and specified chemical rubs. Use powder for consistent appearance and abrasion resistance in cabins and on the ramp. Choose alternatives like anodize, conversion coat, ceramic, or vacuum coating when ultra-thin or high-temp films are required. Cost drivers: part size and complexity, masking, pretreatment stack, finish tier, special tests, and documentation packages. Buyer checklist: drawings with mask and film-build zones, color and gloss targets, required tests, documentation needs, sample panels or pilot build, and packaging specs. Need an aerospace-grade, ISO/AS9100-aligned finish in Utah? Full Blown Coatings can quote , sample, and document to spec.