Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • MATERIALS
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • FINISHING
  • RESOURCES
  • EVENTS
  • DIRECTORIES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • CONTACT
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Latest News
  • Market Trends & Reports
  • Price Alerts
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
  • Weekly Featured Article
  • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
  • Product News
  • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
  • Additives
  • Resins/Polymers
  • Pigments
  • Equipment
  • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • Adhesives
  • Architectural Coatings
  • Industrial Coatings
  • Nanotechnology
  • Powder Coatings
  • Solventborne
  • Special Purpose Coatings
  • Sustainability
  • UV Coatings
  • Waterborne
  • Waterborne
  • FINISHING
  • Finishing News
  • Finishing Technologies
  • Finishing Equipment
  • RESOURCES
  • Columns
  • Blogs
  • Coatings Supplier Handbook
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • PCI Store
  • eBooks
  • Sponsor Insights
  • White Papers
  • COATLE Word Game
  • Columns
  • Ask Joe Powder
  • Did you know?
  • Distribution Dive
  • Focus on Canada
  • Formulating With Mike
  • Innovation Insights
  • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
  • Powder Coating Perspectives
  • Target the Market
  • TiO2 Insider
  • Blogs
  • Editor's Viewpoint
  • Industry Insights
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • COAT-IT! Podcast
  • Videos/PCI TV
  • EVENTS
  • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
  • Paint and Coatings Academy
  • Webinars
  • Calendar of Events
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
  • Buyer's Guide
  • Equipment Directory
  • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
  • Current Issue
  • eMagazine Archive
  • China Issue Archive
  • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to eMagazine
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
    • RESOURCES
      • Columns
        • Ask Joe Powder
        • Did you know?
        • Distribution Dive
        • Focus on Canada
        • Formulating With Mike
        • Innovation Insights
        • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
        • Powder Coating Perspectives
        • Target the Market
        • TiO2 Insider
      • Blogs
        • Editor's Viewpoint
        • Industry Insights
      • Coatings Supplier Handbook
      • Podcasts and Videos
        • COAT-IT! Podcast
        • Videos/PCI TV
      • PCI Store
      • eBooks
      • Sponsor Insights
      • White Papers
      • COATLE Word Game
    • EVENTS
      • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
      • Paint and Coatings Academy
      • Webinars
      • Calendar of Events
      • Lifetime Achievement Award
    • DIRECTORIES
      • Buyer's Guide
      • Equipment Directory
      • Materials Directory
    • EMAGAZINE
      • Current Issue
      • eMagazine Archive
      • China Issue Archive
      • Editorial Advisory Board
    • CONTACT
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe to eMagazine
      • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    Ask Joe Powder

    I have some brake calipers that I powder coated and I would like to add lettering...

    ask joe powder pci
    April 25, 2017

    Dear Joe,

    I have some brake calipers that I powder coated and I would like to add lettering then then add a clear powder coat and put in the oven and bake it. I would like to know of any material (vinyl, decal or anything) that can withstand 200 ⁰C to be powder coated over.

    Thanks,
    Ismael Bahrain

    Dear Ismael,

    This is a tricky proposition. First of all, PVC (vinyl) decals will not take 200 ⁰C. So they're out. There are a number of materials used to make decals and the table below provides type and heat resistance.

    Decal Materials and Heat Resistance

    Polymer Type

    Synonyms

    Heat Resistance (⁰C)

    Polycarbonate

    PolyCarb

    65

    Polyester

     

    120

    Polyvinyl Chloride

    PVC, vinyl

    150

    Polyethylene Terephthalate

    PET

    180

    Polyimide

     

    500

    For your application I would consider PET or polyimide as the decal polymer. PET may be borderline for heat resistance, however you should be able to use a clear powder coating that can cure around 180 ⁰C and avoid exceeding its heat resistance threshold.

    Otherwise you will have to use a polyimide-based decal, which easily outperforms all other decal materials for heat resistance. Polyimide tapes are regularly used as masking for powder coated articles so I can attest to their resistance to typical powder curing temperatures.

    Preparing the surface for the decal and choosing a powder coating are also important considerations for the success of your project. The surface should be wiped clean with a good solvent. I recommend either denatured alcohol or acetone. Both are readily available at your house paint store or DIY.

    I would recommend a low-temperature-cure polyester powder coating as your clearcoat. Epoxies discolor with heat, and polyurethanes have a tendency to outgas at thick films. Polyesters capable of low temperature (i.e. around 160 ⁰C to 170 ⁰C) are commonly available. These products have good heat resistance and can be applied at relatively thick films to give a high gloss with excellent distinctness of image. Please ensure that the coating is fully cured to make certain that it provides full durability performance.

    Please let me know if you need anything more.

    Best regards,

    Joe

     

    Hi Joe!

    I am having an issue that I haven’t seen before. We manufacture fairly standard welded metal cabinets and carts. The issue I am having is with a particular cart that would resemble a single-drawer file cabinet with a pencil drawer that most people have in a cubicle. The bottom of the cart fits over sides, creating a slight “lip” or edge if you will. My vendor claims that there is “oil” trapped in the seam and when the part runs through the cure oven the oil seeps, causing issues with the finish.

    We hang these upside down using the caster holds for hanging points. So, the seam is upside down.

    We are using a 6-stage iron-phosphate, dip, prewash system. The dry-off oven runs at a fairly consistent 200 ⁰C. As does the cure oven. The vendor wants to blast the seam with something resembling a WWII flamethrower!  This solves the oil issue, but contorts the part in some cases.

    Do you have any recommendations as to how we can resolve the issue without ‘breaking the rules of the Geneva Convention?’

    Thank you and kind regards,

    John Zhongshan, China

    Hey John,

    The unseemly woes you describe are rather common. Fabrication lubricants and machine oils can get trapped in seams and cause headaches further down in the finishing process. There are a few approaches you can consider to alleviate this issue, although flame-throwing, whilst it undoubtedly is an exciting operation, seems a bit extreme and hazardous solution.

    The first consideration is to eliminate the problem at its source. This entails cleaning the metal thoroughly before the seams are made. Seems simple (simple seams?) but this would guarantee no oil seepage when the powder is curing in your vendor's oven.

    If this is not possible you may want to consider stronger impingement of cleaning solution at the seams. It seems like the use of a power washer could dislodge any residual oil and reduce the problem. This would be a manual process that would slow productivity and incur additional cost. It may require modest capital expenditure as well.

    It seems to me that the best option to reduce this unseemly issue is to attack it at the source. Keeping the metal clean before the seams are established should alleviate the problem without compromising the Geneva Convention or any subsequent international treaties.

    Kind regards,

    Joe

     

    Dear Joe,

    A colleague of mine is having a problem with a powder coater out here. She gave them a table that was rusty in some parts and asked them to powder coat it for her. Well, they did and after a few weeks of wear and tear (I believe they keep it outside) it is rusting again. So, they fixed it for her again, but it is rusted again. Long story short any suggestions on what she should do?  I guess the table means a lot to the family and she isn't afraid of the costs involved, she just doesn't want it to keep rusting.

    Thanks,

    Donna, Pennsylvania

    Hi Donna,

    The problem with the premature rusting is a combination of two or three issues. 1.) It would appear that the original rust may not have been completely removed prior to the application of the powder coating. 2.) The metal may not have been chemically pretreated prior to the application of the powder coating and 3.) The film thickness of the powder may be low or in-continuous in areas.

    To correctly powder coat the table the coater needs to:

    1. Clean the metal 100%. I recommend shot blasting (aluminum oxide or silicon carbide).
    2. Chemically pretreat the metal before application of the powder. A reputable jobcoater will have an iron phosphate system that will do a good job if they keep the process in control.
    3. Thoroughly coat the table with a high-quality powder coating. This sometimes will involve preheating the table and spraying the difficult-to-coat areas while it is still warm. Alternately they can apply two coats of powder (primer followed by a topcoat). This isn't necessary if the coater is careful in applying the powder in the first place.

    Please tell your colleague that it's really important to ask her coater about how they prepare the metal and control the film thickness. I hope that this helps.

    Kind regards,

    Joe

    Have a question for Joe Powder? Email kevinbiller@yahoo.com. And be sure to listen to the Ask Joe Powder “Powdcast” for all the latest news, insights and technology in the powder coatings industry. Click here to listen!

    KEYWORDS: Powder coatings

    Share This Story

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Blog Topics

    Editor's Viewpoint

    Journey to Sustainability

    Industry Insights

    Recent Comments

    Broken Planet Stargazing Hoodie

    Can we apply form the out of USA...

    Education for Kids

    The team at window film brooklyn is...

    Strategic maintenance

    Subscribe For Free!
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Online Registration
    • Subscription Customer Service

    The Coatings Minute: Why Industry News Matters More Than Ever

    The Coatings Minute: Why Industry News Matters More Than Ever

    The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

    The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

    The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

    The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

    CTT Registration Now Open

    CTT Registration Now Open

    More Videos

    Sponsored Content

    Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the PCI audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of PCI or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

    close
    • Modern arapartment complex painted in bright colors.
      Sponsored byEPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions

      Architectural Polymers Leading the Way in Coatings Innovation

    • paint sprayer in a workshop
      Sponsored byallnex

      Enabling Performance and Compliance: allnex Introduces a New Line of VOC Exempt Solvent-Borne Resins

    Popular Stories

    No. 3 AkzoNobel

    AkzoNobel to Close Two Manufacturing Sites

    A collage of products using non-PFAS

    A Surge in Non-PFAS Releases

    Default Aerospace Image

    PPG Plans Major Aerospace Facility



    PCI Buyers Guide

    Submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to suppliers of your choice with details on what you need with a click of a button

    Start your RFP

    Browse our Buyers Guide for manufacturers and distributors of all types of coatings products and much more!

    Find Suppliers

    Events

    September 3, 2025

    Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit

    The Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Summit is an annual conference for both liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers to discuss innovations in coatings technology. This event combines high-quality technical presentations, a resource-rich exhibit hall, and dedicated networking opportunities to connect scientific minds, foster innovation, and cultivate game-changing new ideas!

    January 1, 2030

    Webinar Sponsorship Information

    For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

    View All Submit An Event

    Poll

    Longest-running laboratory experiment

    What is the longest-running laboratory experiment?
    View Results Poll Archive

    Products

    CTT Summit Short Courses (Live 9/3/25)

    Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit is expanding its offerings with four short courses. These short courses will offer an extensive day of interactive learning.

    See More Products
    pci  webinar april 2025

    PCI CASE EBOOK
    ×

    Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

    Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

    JOIN TODAY!
    • RESOURCES
      • Advertise
      • Contact Us
      • Directories
      • Store
      • Want More
    • SIGN UP TODAY
      • Create Account
      • eMagazine
      • eNewsletters
      • Customer Service
      • Manage Preferences
    • SERVICES
      • Marketing Services
      • Reprints
      • Market Research
      • List Rental
      • Survey & Sample
    • STAY CONNECTED
      • LinkedIn
      • Facebook
      • Youtube
      • X (Twitter)
    • PRIVACY
      • PRIVACY POLICY
      • TERMS & CONDITIONS
      • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
      • PRIVACY REQUEST
      • ACCESSIBILITY

    Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

    Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

    Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
    search
    cart
    facebook twitter linkedin youtube
    • Sign In
    • Create Account
    • Sign Out
    • My Account
    Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
    • NEWS
      • Latest News
      • Market Trends & Reports
      • Price Alerts
      • Subscribe to eNewsletters
      • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
      • Weekly Featured Article
      • COATLE Word Game
    • PRODUCTS
      • Product News
      • Must See Products and Services
    • MATERIALS
      • Additives
      • Resins/Polymers
      • Pigments
      • Equipment
      • Distributors
    • TECHNOLOGIES
      • Adhesives
      • Architectural Coatings
      • Industrial Coatings
      • Nanotechnology
      • Powder Coatings
      • Solventborne
      • Special Purpose Coatings
      • Sustainability
      • UV Coatings
      • Waterborne
      • FINISHING
        • Finishing News
        • Finishing Technologies
        • Finishing Equipment
      • RESOURCES
        • Columns
          • Ask Joe Powder
          • Did you know?
          • Distribution Dive
          • Focus on Canada
          • Formulating With Mike
          • Innovation Insights
          • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
          • Powder Coating Perspectives
          • Target the Market
          • TiO2 Insider
        • Blogs
          • Editor's Viewpoint
          • Industry Insights
        • Coatings Supplier Handbook
        • Podcasts and Videos
          • COAT-IT! Podcast
          • Videos/PCI TV
        • PCI Store
        • eBooks
        • Sponsor Insights
        • White Papers
        • COATLE Word Game
      • EVENTS
        • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
        • Paint and Coatings Academy
        • Webinars
        • Calendar of Events
        • Lifetime Achievement Award
      • DIRECTORIES
        • Buyer's Guide
        • Equipment Directory
        • Materials Directory
      • EMAGAZINE
        • Current Issue
        • eMagazine Archive
        • China Issue Archive
        • Editorial Advisory Board
      • CONTACT
        • Contact Us
        • Advertise
        • Subscribe to eMagazine
        • Subscribe to eNewsletters