Can I get the colors I need in Performance powder coating?

Posted by on 26 February 2018

The simple answer is, for the most part, yes! Powder coatings are available in a huge array of colors and special effects – at IFS we have over 76,000 colors in our database – so there is plenty to choose from.  However there are some important things to consider - check out our tips on choosing colors in powder coating…

First things first – the most important thing to know in any color decision - choose your powder product type first! Powder coatings are often referred to quite generically, but as we know, there are different grades of architectural powder, some suited to exterior some to interior. We don’t want to put an interior grade on the exterior as it will fade quickly – it’s not designed to go outside. So make sure you know the product type you want first (click here for a quick architectural powder guide) and then check your color is available in that product.

Solid colors

You may here the term ‘solid color’ bandied around in the coatings industry. Don’t worry, it’s not referring to their actual state, it simply refers to the fact that they are a simple shade –no special effect added.

As well as the standard architectural colors (the IFS architectural color card features actual powder coated chips, so you can see exactly what the powder will look like. Ask for your free copy) – white, black, grey, silver, bronze etc., there are many color standards out there – RAL, Pantone, BSI to name but a few. Many of these solid colors are available in powder coating technology. There are hundreds of RAL colors (check out the IFS RAL series and get a free color card) as well as Federal Standards, ANSI and even Pantones.

A note to mention when talking about Pantones; not all Pantone colors are possible in powder technology. Pantone is ink on gloss paper, and we are producing powder for metal. So with certain Pantone shades we can achieve the color but not the intensity, or the intensity is there but the color is slightly off. Fortunately it’s not all Pantone colors, so simply ask your powder rep and they will advise you on the color you're looking for.

The full spectrum is available in most powder technologies, including elegant blacks and whites, inviting browns, greys, silvers and bronzes, eye popping neons, warm earthy tones, soft pastels, candy colors and striking translucents.

It’s worth mentioning here that not all colors are available in high performance Fluoropolymers. Certain bright shades, like bright oranges, reds, pinks and purples are difficult to make in this technology. Some of the pigments used in these brighter shades don’t weather as well. Where they may pass the 10 year color retention test required by AAMA 2605, most companies warranty their Fluoropolymer products for 20 years, and the challenge is these brighter shades won’t retain their color for that period of time. The good news is we don’t see these super bright shades requested that often on exterior projects!

Gloss

You can also choose what level of gloss you want for your color. Matte effects as low as a 5 gloss all the way up to a super shiny 90 gloss – and everything in between – are available in Super Durable and Standard Polyester powder products. Just like with the bright colors, Fluoropolymers are not available in the extremes of gloss. A very matte or very high gloss is difficult to achieve as these extremes can affect the weathering capability of the powder. Anything between a 25 – 70 gloss is available, so there’s still plenty to choose from!

Special Effects

Metallics/micas

A few years ago an architect confidently told me that sparkle or mica effects weren’t available in powder coating. Not sure where this info came from (perhaps back in the 70s?) but thankfully it’s simply not true. Soft shimmers, brighter sparkles and even multi colored metallic are all possible. Shades like anodized silver, platinum, bronze, champagne and pewter are incredibly popular. Remember, metallic or mica effects look different at different angles – even though most people looking at a building see them straight on!

Textures

Whether it’s super fine (think confectioner’s sugar) or super heavy (think anti-skid) we can give the powder coating texture, which adds that tactile dimension to the surface. It will come as no surprise that super heavy textures aren’t available in Fluoropolymer technology (yup, you guessed it, the texture affects weathering capability) but if you are looking for a specific feel, it’s amazing what can be done. We created a “terra cotta” texture in a Fluoropolymer for a customer recently and it looks great!

Interior special effects

There are certain special effects added to colors that are best used for interior applications. What’s also important to note is that it’s really difficult to show these effects accurately on a screen, and to be honest, sometimes the name of the effect may not be what you’re thinking (I personally don’t think ‘wrinkles’ look particularly wrinkly. They are beautiful – one of my favorite special effects, just not wrinkly to me), so always ask for a free color chip to see exactly what it looks like.

Translucent powders

Translucent powders are pretty well described – when the powder cures it becomes slightly translucent, so you actually see the metal, or a printed logo, or whatever is under the powder showing through the powder coat. Translucents are used in a wide range of industries, always for interior applications, and so have been created in natural metal tones and neutrals through to bright raspberry and teal. 

Wrinkles, hammertones, multi-component effects and more

Wrinkles, despite the name hated by most of us, are a beautiful, sophisticated powder effect used on interior applications. Difficult to describe they are best seen in the flesh – order a free sample chip. Likewise, hammertones, multi-components and speckles can come in a range of colors and are simply best seen! What’s clear is that they are also add depth and interest to an piece and can help achieve a less standardized effect.

Woodgrain

Imagine if you could make aluminum look like wood, or marble or…

Powder sublimation means you can. Quite simply, the powder gives the piece the base color, and then the application process does the rest of the work! So whether it’s a light maple finish, a super oak or even a rusted metal effect, believe it or not it’s possible. This really does have to be seen to be believed. Check this out!

Color matching

Despite the many thousands of colors and effects available, sometimes you want a very specific shade, need to match a brand or maybe want to take a liquid paint and get it in a more environmentally responsible powder coating. Not a problem. Color matching and color creation is what we do. You don’t get to 76,000 colors by sticking to the basics! Whether it’s matching interior paint colors from companies like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams, creating powder that matches a fabric swatch or even matching to an item that you like (Nike once sent us a sneaker to match to, and we’ve matched to pennies, purses and more!), we can create a custom color for you. It’s actually easier to match to something – so sending in what you’re looking for gives the color matching team an advantage.