Frequently Asked Questions

Powder coating is a resilient coating made of urethane, polyester, epoxy, or a combination of these three. Similar in appearance to paint, powder coating offers consistent appearance, minimal processing time, and can be applied across many industries, from light fixtures to earth movers.

Yes, powder coating is baked onto the metal part, forming a thicker layer of protection that is stronger and more weather-resistant, minimizing scratching, peeling and fading.

We generally aim for a 7-10 day turnaround time. However, due to some variables in the coating process, it can take as long as two weeks.

There are several hundred standard colors and textures to choose from, or we can have your color matched in a custom color lab for an additional charge. For faster turnaround and more competitive pricing, we have many stock colors to choose from. See our stock colors here.

Much more so than paint. Powder is non-toxic and environmentally safe, emitting no or very few harmful VOCs. The entire process at Keystone Koating has been tailored with the environment in mind. Most of our waste water is evaporated. The most efficient burners and ovens are used in the drying and curing process. Excess powder is often reclaimed and utilized. Learn more here.

As a general rule, our dimensions max out at 84″H x 84″W x 204″L. However, in some instances we can coat parts that are as long as 22 feet. See the product size capabilities at our Lititz and Mifflintown facility here.

Our blasting capabilities for grit blasting are 48″W x 17″T x 300″L. We also have a manual aluminum oxide room 72″W x 84″T x 228″L.

We specialize in business-to-business medium and large runs, so small production runs (no less than 25 parts) should be repetitive runs.

Many parts that come to us do need blasting before being coated. However, if a part is new, clean, and has no mill ⁄ laser scale or corrosion of any kind, we can coat it without any blasting.

Our docks open at 7:00 AM, and close at 4:00 PM, Mon – Fri.

You certainly can have them sent in by UPS or any other common carrier; we can also pick them up for you, or you can drop them off yourself.

The best way is to bring your part to us for evaluation. However, if that is not feasible, you may use our online form. An attached drawing with measurements is required. An isometric drawing is extremely helpful.

Keystone Koating specializes in coating metals. Steel, aluminum, cast iron, cast aluminum, zinc and stainless steel are the most common. We do not have the capability to powder coat wood or plastic.

While any scratch to bare metal is not desireable and does compromise the surface, our research has shown that when parts are processed through our proprietary 8 stage pre-treatment, the applied conversion coating greatly limits the creep of the scratch. In fact, our lab results have shown that an intentionally scratched part will, in some scenarios, rust completely through the steel before coating failure occurs.
In addition, if powder coating does get chipped or scratched, there are liquids that can be applied to repair the damage.

Once applied, powder coating needs to be properly cared for, just like any paint. Usually a basic cleaning schedule a few times a year will suffice.

Some basic tips:

• Avoid excessive contact. Approach with an attitude of “less is better!”
• Avoid harsh, abrasive cleaners such as steel wool and scourers. Treat powder coating as you would your car paint.
• Avoid solvents where possible, When a solvent is absolutely necessary to remove materials from the surface, such as adhesives, the weakest possible solvent should be used (e.g. methylated spirits, white spirits or isopropyl alcohol).  A small and unobtrusive area should be tested prior to attempting to use solvents on significant surfaces.  After removal of the surface contaminant, the solvent should be dried from the film, and the area that has been wiped with solvent should be washed with a solution of mild liquid detergent and then rinsed with clean water to ensure complete removal of any solvent residues.  Under no circumstances should strong solvents be used.  Examples of inappropriate chemicals for cleaning or for any contact with powder coating are gasoline, kerosene, MEK, xylene, caustic cleaners like kitchen and bathroom detergents, and paint thinners.
  Always flush metal that has been exposed to cleaners with copious amounts of fresh, clean water.
• When a scratch is discovered it should be addressed immediately. If bare metal is exposed, it should be lightly sanded with a 180 grit or finer sand paper to remove any corrosion that may be present. Then the sanded area should have all sanding debris removed with either a clean brush or compressed air. The surface can then be touched up with a liquid paint; we recommend a high quality architectural or automotive grade paint, enamels or two part urethane.. Two or three coats of paint are usually required to achieve adequate coverage. For larger areas a liquid primer is recommended.

If you need assistance in sourcing a matching touch-up paint, please contact your Keystone Koating customer service representative.