Powder coating is better than paint for many applications, but it especially shines (sometimes literally) when used to coat, beautify, and protect playground equipment. Powder coating consists of applying—you guessed it—dry powder made of resin and other materials to metal, plastic, carbon fiber, and more. The powder electrostatically adheres to the material and is then cured to a hardened finish. Powder coating has several benefits, and they all help to extend the life of playground equipment. Here’s why you should powder coat playground equipment and how it benefits you and your community.
Better Than Paint
When it comes time to give anything a new look, a coat of paint often does the trick. But painting drywall is different from painting playground equipment. Paint requires evaporation to set and stick to a surface, and that means downtime as well as watching out to ensure little hands aren’t covered with pigment. Paint also requires several coats, including a layer of primer, which means added costs and time. Finally, powder coating provides longer-lasting coverage than paint and provides greater resistance to rust and scratching as well.
A Second Life
Unlike paint, powder coating can give older playground equipment another chance. If you simply repaint old equipment, nature and the kids have a better chance to wear it out as the paint fades, flakes, and falls away. Powder coating is an entirely new finish that completely covers metal, plastic, or other material. That new finish can take a licking because it has greater flexibility, durability, and solidity. Save money by extending your equipment’s usability for several more years.
Safety First
A good commercial powder coating can add another layer of safety to your equipment as well. Paint, once again, can wear out, exposing rust and allowing metal to break up and become sharp and jagged. That can cut into kids’ hands, arms, legs, and feet, leading to a trip to the nurse’s office or hospital. Lead paint is largely a thing of the past, but paint flakes can still be gathered and nibbled on by very young ones—not a healthy situation. Powder coating is safe and nontoxic and provides a sleek and pleasant surface that stays smooth for a very, very long time.
Looking Good!
If you’ve ever painted anything, you know it takes a while to get it to look just right. Powder coating grants playground equipment a perfectly attractive and uniform look almost immediately after application. Powder-coated equipment cures quickly and can be used not long after application. And it retains that look even after years of exposure to the elements.
Those are just a few reasons why you should powder coat playground equipment. Contact us for more information or a consultation!