Summer can provide a valuable maintenance window for manufacturers, engineering companies, warehouses and other commercial premises.
When production slows down, staff take annual leave or a planned shutdown is scheduled, businesses have an opportunity to deal with metalwork that cannot easily be removed during normal operations.
Machinery guards, frames, panels, covers and other metal components can be stripped, prepared and professionally powder coated before being returned to service. Planning this work during scheduled downtime can reduce disruption while helping protect important equipment for the months and years ahead.
Why Summer Shutdowns Are a Good Opportunity
Taking machinery or essential equipment out of service can be difficult during busy production periods. Even relatively simple refurbishment work may have to be postponed because a component cannot be removed without interrupting normal operations.
A planned summer shutdown changes that.
Removable metal components can be inspected and sent for refurbishment while machinery is already inactive. This allows businesses to address corrosion, damaged coatings and general wear without creating a separate period of disruption later in the year.
It can also help companies prepare their equipment and premises before the colder, damper conditions of autumn and winter arrive.
Which Metal Components Can Be Refurbished?
A wide range of removable commercial and industrial metalwork may be suitable for powder coating, including:
- Machinery guards and safety covers
- Equipment frames and support structures
- Metal cabinets and enclosures
- Control-panel casings
- Brackets, housings and fabricated components
- Barriers, bollards and handrails
- Display stands and retail fittings
- Workshop furniture and storage equipment
- Architectural and construction components
Suitability depends on the type of metal, the condition of the component and whether it can safely withstand the powder-coating curing process.
Electrical parts, bearings, seals, rubber components and other heat-sensitive fittings will normally need to be removed beforehand. Threaded holes, mating surfaces and areas requiring precise tolerances should also be identified before work begins.
Do Not Ignore Early Signs of Coating Failure
Small chips, scratches and patches of rust can appear relatively harmless. However, once the protective finish has been damaged, moisture and contamination may reach the metal underneath.
Warning signs include:
- Bubbling or lifting paint
- Rust appearing around joints and edges
- Flaking or peeling finishes
- Scratches exposing bare metal
- Faded, stained or uneven surfaces
- Previous repairs beginning to fail
Applying more paint over a deteriorating surface may temporarily hide the problem, but it does not remove the corrosion or failing coating underneath.
A planned shutdown provides an opportunity to strip the component properly and assess its condition. Any structural damage should be repaired before the finishing process begins.
Proper Preparation Produces a Better Finish
The quality of any powder-coated finish depends heavily on what happens before the powder is applied.
Old paint, rust, grease, oil and other contamination must be removed so the new coating can bond correctly. Depending on the component, this may involve professional sandblasting and chemical pre-treatment.
Sandblasting removes deteriorated coatings and corrosion while producing a clean, consistent surface. Pre-treatment provides an additional foundation for coating adhesion and protection.
Our previous guide explains in more detail why surface preparation is so important before powder coating.
The Benefits of Industrial Powder Coating
Industrial metalwork is frequently exposed to knocks, handling, cleaning products, moisture and demanding working conditions. A high-quality powder-coated finish provides several practical advantages.
Durable Protection
Powder coating forms a tough, continuous finish that helps protect the underlying metal against everyday wear and corrosion.
Consistent Appearance
The process produces a smooth, professional surface without the brush marks, runs or drips associated with some liquid-painted finishes.
Extensive Colour Choice
Components can be finished in colours that complement machinery, premises or company branding. Different gloss levels and textures may also be available.
Reduced Maintenance
A properly prepared and coated component should require less frequent repainting, helping reduce future maintenance demands.
Quick Handling After Curing
Once the coating has been cured and the component has cooled, it can normally be handled and prepared for reinstallation. This can be particularly useful when working within a restricted shutdown schedule.
Plan the Work Before Production Stops
Leaving arrangements until the first day of a shutdown can create unnecessary delays. Businesses should identify suitable components and contact their metal finisher in advance.
Useful information to provide includes:
- Photographs of each item
- Approximate dimensions
- The type of metal, if known
- The condition of the existing finish
- The number of components
- The required colour and finish
- Areas that must remain uncoated
- The shutdown and reinstallation dates
Components should also be labelled or recorded during dismantling so they can be returned to their correct locations.
Preparing for Autumn and Winter
Summer maintenance is not simply about improving appearance. It is an opportunity to identify problems before colder and wetter conditions make them worse.
Outdoor barriers, handrails, equipment frames and loading-area metalwork can be particularly vulnerable once an existing coating has been damaged. Refurbishing these items during planned downtime helps provide renewed protection before autumn.
Even if your summer shutdown has already passed, the same approach can be used when planning maintenance for Christmas, New Year or another scheduled period of reduced production.
Industrial Powder Coating in Essex
Advanced Metal Finishers provides powder coating, sandblasting, pre-treatment, stoving and quality-control services from our facility near Ingatestone.
Our automatic conveyor line can accommodate repeat production components, while our large box oven allows us to handle bulkier metalwork. With more than 1,000 colours stocked, we can provide finishes for a wide range of commercial and industrial requirements.
If you are planning a shutdown, refurbishment programme or production run, contact Advanced Metal Finishers early to discuss the components, finish and timescale involved.
Contact Advanced Metal Finishers or call 01277 356306 to discuss your requirements.