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Vetting Local Sheet Metal Fabricators

Posted on by Bill Sullivan

When working with a sheet metal fabricator, you’re not just hiring a company – you should be choosing a collaborative partner. To ensure a successful product, it’s important to continually evaluate the relationship over time and determine if your sheet metal fabricator’s capabilities meet the needs of your product.

There are a few key things to consider when vetting your sheet metal fabricator. We’re breaking down six considerations to help you evaluate your partnership.

Work History

One of the main things to consider when evaluating your current sheet metal fabricator is looking at your overall work history.

Some questions you may ask yourself are:

  • Have they continued to deliver products on time?
  • Have they created a consistently high-quality product?
  • Have they anticipated your needs and been a proactive partner?

When doing this, take the entirety of the partnership into account and any improvements (or regressions) over time. For example, if you’ve worked with a fabrication partner for five years and in the last two years they haven’t maintained their quality, it may be a sign it’s time to find a new partner.

Capabilities

Often, professional sheet metal fabricators will have additional services beyond sheet metal fabrication. These added capabilities can save costs and reduce delivery timelines by not shipping products to multiple manufacturers.

Consider if your current partner offers:

By working with a company that provides a full range of services from engineering through inventory management, you gain a partner who can help oversee all aspects of your work, identify additional cost-savings, and have your product completed under one roof.

If you haven’t discussed your fabricator’s value-added services previously, it’s important to get the conversation started.

Availability

In addition to ensuring your fabricator has a wide range of capabilities and has been a reliable partner, keep in mind their upcoming availability. If they will not be able to fabricate a new product for you or cannot keep up with a new high-volume order, it might be time to bring in a second fabricator to assist with overflow.

It’s also beneficial to see if your fabricator offers inventory management and just-in-time delivery. By having additional product available for last-minute orders, you’ll not only have product ready right when you need it, but you may also benefit from price breaks for fabricating higher-volume orders.

Up-To-Date Certifications

When you first started working with your sheet metal fabrication partner, you likely inquired about an ISO 9001:2015 certification.

While this is a large consideration when initially selecting a fabricator, it should be an ongoing consideration. Every year your sheet metal fabricator must be reassessed by their certifying body to maintain this certification. If your fabricator has not maintained their ISO 9001:2015 certification, it may be a sign that they have not maintained their quality standards.

Pricing

Pricing is also something that may change over time. If your fabricator’s costs have significantly increased and you can no longer develop a cost-effective product with them, it may be time to look for some alternate quotes from additional companies. While you may find that your fabricator’s costs are still competitive, you may find a similar quality item for a significantly lower cost elsewhere.

Supply Chain

Do you know where your local sheet metal fabricators source their materials?

A fabricator’s supply chain can have a long impact on pricing and availability, so it’s crucial to know where they source their products and what implications it may have. Working with a partner that sources materials locally, such as Highland Machine, can help ensure that your lead times are not impacted by international shipping delays and trade requirements.

Evaluate Your Partnership

The six considerations above can help you vet if you’re working with the right sheet metal fabrication partner for your company.

If your partner is reliable, cost-effective, maintains their commitments to quality, and offers the services you need, then the health of your partnership is intact, and it makes sense to continue working with them.

However, if they are failing to deliver on the considerations above, it might be time to look for an alternate sheet metal fabricator. If you’re looking for a local sheet metal fabricator with a wide range of services and a commitment to quality, contact Highland Machine today. We’d be happy to offer a free quote and discuss partnering with you.

The Real Cost of Custom Enclosures

Posted on by Bill Sullivan

When looking into the cost of working with a new manufacturing partner, it’s easy to focus on your proposal’s total product cost. But just because one manufacturer’s price looks less expensive doesn’t mean it will be in the end. It’s necessary to break down all the considerations for the cost of your custom enclosures and components to ensure you know the true cost of your investment.

Fabrication Considerations

When ordering multi-component products, you can either have everything built and assembled under one roof, or multiple-sourced parts can be assembled at your facilities.

While the under-one-roof option might appear more costly, the individual components can quickly add up – and in some cases, cost more.

Imagine you’re looking to produce custom enclosures made of a cabinet, door, gasket, and locking latch. You can go about this in two ways.

Fully-Assembled Custom Enclosures vs. Multiple Components

Consider this example: Ordering a complete, ready-to-ship product or separate components requiring in-house finishing and assembly.

An end-to-end fabrication partner like Highland Machine can help deliver this from start to finish with just a few steps.

Scenario 1 – Highland Machine quotes $100 per assembled cabinet
  1. A purchase order is issued for 100 fully-assembled cabinets
  2. Highland Machine fabricates, powder coats, and assembles all components, including items not manufactured in-house (e.g., gasket, plexiglass window, keyed latch, etc.)
  3. Highland Machine ships the fully assembled cabinets to your company
  4. You receive all the components in the designated lead time and process the receiving record
  5. You receive and process the invoice
  6. You issue payment

By ordering through an end-to-end manufacturer, you save on freight costs, reduce lead times from shipping components between vendors, and your team only processes paperwork for one vendor.

Scenario 2 – Three separate vendors quote a total cost of $75 per cabinet
  1. A purchase order is issued to Vendor A for 100 cabinets
  2. A purchase order is issued to Vendor B for 100 doors
  3. A purchase order is issued to Vendor C for 100 gaskets and latches
  4. Vendor A fabricates the cabinets and ships to your facility
  5. You process a receiving record for Vendor A
  6. Vendor B fabricates the doors and ships to your facility
  7. You process a receiving record for Vendor B
  8. Vendor C fabricates the gaskets and latches and ships to your facility
  9. You process a receiving record for Vendor C
  10. The cabinets and doors require powder coating, so you issue a purchase order to Vendor D for powder coating
  11. You repackage and ship the doors and cabinets to vendor D
  12. You process a receiving record for Vendor D
  13. You receive and process the invoice from Vendor A
  14. You receive and process the invoice from Vendor B
  15. You receive and process the invoice from Vendor C
  16. You receive and process the invoice from Vendor D
  17. You issue payment to Vendor A
  18. You issue payment to Vendor B
  19. You issue payment to Vendor C
  20. You issue payment to Vendor D
  21. You assemble the powder-coated components

Is it still less expensive?

In scenario 2, you processed four purchase orders instead of one, received five freight bills versus one, and processed four receiving records, received four invoices, and processed four payments, not one.

Again, did you save anything based on the quoted price alone?

In addition to the extra freight costs and transit times, the multi-source option requires more effort from your team – additional paperwork, additional coordination of vendors, and assembly of the final product – each of which is a cost consideration. Now your $75 quote per cabinet can cost well above $100 per unit.

Quality Considerations

While cost is a large factor in any purchase, it’s also essential to consider the quality implications of using multiple vendors. The more vendors involved, the more room for error.

By working with one ISO 9001:2015 certified partner, you have one accountable source for your quality products.

The All-in-One Choice for Custom Enclosures

Though it might look most cost-effective at first glance to use multiple vendors, consider the implications. By using one trusted partner for your fabrication, powder coating, assembly, and inventory management, you can reduce costs and lead times while ensuring a high-quality product. If you’re looking for a partner that can do it all, look no further. We’d be happy to provide a free quote for your custom enclosures or components.

4 Signs You Need an Outsourced Sheet Metal Fabrication Partner

Posted on by Bill Sullivan

For many businesses, in-house sheet metal fabrication can be a lucrative option, but it’s not always the most efficient, cost-effective option. While some work may be suited for maintaining within your company, there are a few signs that you might want to seek an outsourced sheet metal fabrication partner.

If you find your company in one of these situations, it might be time to look for an alternate solution.

Your Product Requires Services Beyond Sheet Metal Fabrication

Are there products you’re fabricating in-house that then get sent to another company for powder coating or assembly.

Frequently, it’s more cost-effective to work with a single sheet metal fabrication partner that can handle all of those services under one roof. The price to create the materials and then ship them to another location to finish ends up being comparable, if not more expensive, than outsourcing the product in full.

It’s essential to look for an outsourcing partner that offers a wide range of capabilities in-house, including engineering, powder coating, and assembly.

Meeting Needs for High-Volume Orders

It’s one thing to manufacture in-house. It’s another to produce a high-volume of products on a recurring schedule. And even if you can keep up with the increased schedule, as order sizes increase, quality may suffer.

To help keep up with high-volume orders while maintaining product quality, work with a company that specializes in large volume orders. This allows you to focus on smaller in-house fabrication needs while trusting your partner to manage the bigger orders.

Plus, to ensure a quality product no matter the volume, look for a manufacturer that holds quality certifications like the ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Allowing for More Accessible Inventory

If you manufacture your product in house, you need to ensure that you also have available space to store the inventory, otherwise you end up with two options:

  1. Make every product run to order. While this may sound like a viable option at first glance, if you get a call for an immediate rush order you may struggle to fulfill the request on time.
  2. Ship your finished products to a secondary location to store excess inventory. This option allows you to preassemble ready-to-ship products, but it does require you to pay for a secondary site and to transport the products to that location.

Instead of risking delayed shipments or overpaying for a secondary location, it can be more efficient and cost-effective to work with an outsourced metal fabrication partner that also provides inventory management services. This way you can keep your finished, ready-to-ship products at your manufacturer’s facility and have them available for rush orders.

Customized Product Needs

Custom products often require custom-fit solutions. These solutions can require specialized products, unique configurations, and team members with specific skill sets.

Between the expensive equipment, time to reconfigure machines between product runs, and the need to possibly hire a specialist, handling these products in-house can come at a high cost. By finding an outsourced partner that specializes in custom metal fabrication, you can get a custom product without the stress on your production line or overhead costs.

Choose the Right Outsourced Sheet Metal Fabrication Partner

If you decide to outsource your sheet metal fabrication, it’s crucial to make that decision confidently. If you’re not sure what to look for, we have some further tips on how to partner with the right company.

Ready to team up with a high-quality, ISO 9001:2015 certified partner that can help with everything from engineering to fabrication to custom-finishing and inventory management? Contact us today or get a free quote.

How to Choose The Right Sheet Metal Fabricator

Posted on by Bill Sullivan
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When deciding on a sheet metal fabricator, you’re not just hiring a company – you’re choosing a collaborative partner. To ensure successful sheet metal enclosure fabrication, make sure your partner has the experience and resources to complete the work on your timeline.

Deciding if a company fits your needs starts with asking the right questions and researching their past work and current capabilities.

Here’s where to start:

Experience

A company’s experience, especially with a specific type of job, can help make the decision a lot easier.

Don’t stop at asking how many years they’ve been around. While working with a business who’s been in the industry a substantial amount of time can be comforting, inquire about the style of products managed and industries served. Even a company that has been working in sheet metal enclosure fabrication for 50 years may be of little use if they’ve never tackled a project similar to yours.

Here are some additional experience-related questions to ask when meeting with a potential fabrication partner:

  • Have they worked on products similar to the one you’re proposing?
  • What experience do they have in your industry?
  • What employees or specialists do they have that work in your industry?
  • Do they have the capabilities to powder coat and finish your products?

The goal when asking about their experience is to make sure this company can prove a level of competence in projects that makes you feel secure about working with them.

Equipment

Even a very experienced company may not have the necessary equipment to see your product through to completion. When speaking with a sheet metal fabricator, be specific about your requirements and timeline to ensure they’ll have the necessary equipment.

Ask questions like:

  • Do they have the right equipment and materials available for your type of job?
  • Can they handle the type, grade, and gauge of metal required?
  • With what kind of supply chains do they work?
  • How much of your job can they complete in-house?
  • Can their facilities handle the job on your timeline?

Capabilities

Often, professional sheet metal fabricators will have additional services beyond sheet metal fabrication and can save costs and reduce delivery timelines by not shipping products to multiple manufacturers.

Services to see if your sheet metal fabricator offers to include:

Your sheet metal fabricator’s capability to finish the project goes beyond their services – it also includes their schedule. By working with a company that provides a full range of services from engineering through inventory management, you gain a partner who can help oversee all aspects of your work, identify additional cost-savings, and have your product completed under one roof.

Availability

Once you’re confident they have the experience and tools necessary to complete your product, make sure to inquire about their availability in terms of scheduling and the workforce they have to offer.

For example, if a company has all your necessary qualifications but won’t be able to accommodate specific deadlines, it may be time to look into other companies or decide to put the work on hold for the time being.

Certifications

To guarantee a sheet metal fabricator’s quality standard, inquire about any certifications they hold that signal a higher standard and commitment to quality such as an ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Knowing that a company holds this certification can make your decision a little easier by ensuring the company that has a recognized level of professionalism and consistent quality.

Past Work

In addition to learning more about their equipment and services, take some time to research a company’s previous work.

There are a few ways to learn more about the companies you’re vetting:

Review Their Websites

Take a look at the sheet metal fabrication services on their website and look for a gallery of completed products. If the quality is consistent and you see products similar to the one you’re requesting, that’s a good sign they can handle the work.

Also, review their website for additional information such as case studies and testimonials from past clients. 

Ask for References

Don’t be shy about asking a sheet metal fabricator if they can provide client references that you can contact. Learning more about a fabricator by talking to people who’ve worked directly with them is one of the best ways to get a feel for your potential fabrication partner.

A few questions to ask include:

  • What was the quality of work?
  • How quickly was the job finished?
  • Was the team professional and communicative?
  • Did you encounter any problems while working with them? If so, how did the team handle them?

Look at Online Reviews

Another way to gauge the quality of their work is by checking their reviews on websites like Google Business, Yelp, and Angie’s List. Finding that other people have consistent and positive feedback over the years is a good sign you’re working with professionals.

Visit the Company

While references, case studies, and product galleries can give you a look into the quality of work a sheet metal fabricator provides, the best way to gauge the professionalism, quality, and the overall team is to visit the company in-person.

Though it can be a significant investment to travel to a fabricator’s facilities, the ability to see their fabrication process first-hand is a valuable investment in the quality of your finished product.

If a company doesn’t allow you the opportunity to visit their premises, be wary that they may be hiding something within their machines, process, or team.

Pricing

No matter what you’re working on, it’s a good rule of thumb to get a second (or third or fourth!) quote from another company to see how they differ in pricing. Many companies will offer a free quote, which doesn’t require a commitment to work with them.

When comparing quotes, see how they align to get an idea of the market standard and how much a skilled, qualified job will end up costing you. If one company offers a significantly higher estimate than the rest, ask yourself why. Bear in mind that estimates could differ based on the quality of their work, employees, and materials. It’s important to look not only at the price on the quote but also the quality of products they’re known for delivering.

In the same regard, if a company stands out for a significantly lower quote than the rest, make sure to research them further. Low bids can be an immediate red flag that the quality or timeline may not be on the same level as the other companies quoted. It may also mean that there was a miscommunication in the requirements of the job, which may lead to requesting a revised quote.

When getting a quote, ask for more than just a final, total number. A professional sheet metal fabrication company should be able to give you a quote that’s broken down into individual costs such as a materials surcharge, tooling fees, design fees, freight, no matter how complicated. Be sure there’s no hidden costs or surprises down the line.

Make The Right Choice for Your Company

Once the research is complete, it’s time to make a decision. You should choose the company that meets both your product’s requirements and that, after careful consideration, you trust the most. Take your time to make a thorough decision on who will be the right fit for your company.

If you’re looking for a sheet metal fabricator with the experience and people you can count on, contact Highland Machine today. We’d be happy to offer a free quote and discuss partnering with you.

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What is ISO Certification? (And Why is It Important?)

Posted on by Bill Sullivan

In the metal fabrication and finishing industry — as with the broader manufacturing industry — there’s plenty of talk about standards.

Some manufacturers claim to say they adhere to the strictest standards of quality or safety, while others say hold themselves to the highest standard of innovation.

But how can buyers actually measure these standards? And how do you know which manufacturers are actually living up to their promises?

In our business, one key way companies can demonstrate the standards they hold themselves to is through ISO certification. Let’s take a look at what this certification entails, why it’s important, and what it means for buyers.

What is ISO Certification?

ISO certification is the international standard set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an independent, non-governmental organization. With members from 164 countries and 784 technical committees, ISO is internationally recognized for developing standards that seek to ensure the safety, quality, and efficiency of services, products, and systems.

While there are several different types of ISO certifications that apply to industries ranging from medical equipment to energy, they are each designed to ensure that a management system, manufacturing process, service, or documentation procedure meets or exceeds all requirements for standardization and quality assurance.

ISO Certification and Metal Fabrication

As a company that provides custom metal fabrication and finishing services, the relevant ISO certification for Highland Machine is the ISO 9000 family, which addresses various aspects of quality management. Specifically, ISO 9001:2015 is the most current certification which establishes the criteria for a quality management system.

As the ISO website states, “This standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement.”

Companies with ISO 9001:2015 certification must invite independent certification bodies to audit their quality systems annually and verify that they conform to ISO standards. For example, Highland Machine received our ISO 9001:2015 certification from TÜV Rheinland, an organization that provides testing, certification, and inspection services.

What Does ISO Certification Mean for Buyers?

For buyers, choosing a new vendor can be a stressful process; make the wrong choice and you could end up with a company that can’t make good on their promises. Not only does that cause a headache for everyone, but it can also mean delayed timelines and lost revenue.

ISO certification makes the process a little less stressful by offering assurance that if the company you’re doing business is certified, someone has verified that they’re truly positioned to deliver consistent quality.

Certification also shows a level of professionalism and initiative on the part of the certified party. There is no legal requirement to get certified; companies that do so are the ones willing to go the extra mile to verify that their products and services are regularly being improved.

Think about it this way: if you’re considering two vendors who look similar on paper but only one is ISO certified, which would you choose?

Our commitment to quality

For 75 years, Highland Machine has remained committed to maintaining high-quality processes, procedures, and customer service. Now, with our ISO certification, we have successfully completed a rigorous quality program to ensure we have systems and procedures in place to back up our quality guarantee.

Ready to see the Highland Machine difference?

Request a Quote

Assembly Methods and How They Impact Cost Savings

Posted on by Bill Sullivan

Creating a finished product requires more than just metal fabrication – you also need to determine your finishes, choose packaging and figure out how to take all your sheet metal and other components and put them together.

As far as putting your components together, there are a few options to choose between.

The Different Assembly Types

The type of assembly method used will depend on the materials being assembled, how durable the final product needs to be, and whether or not the assembly is permanent. By consulting with a professional on your project, you can verify the right method for your work. These methods include:

Mechanical Assembly

Mechanical assembly utilizes different types of hardware to assemble parts together. This can include nuts, bolts, screws, and similar materials. Mechanical assembly is ideal for pieces that may need replacement parts in the future, require adjustments or any sort of work that is not permanent.

Weld Assembly

Weld assembly is the process of fusing pieces of metal together to become one piece. This is ideal for structural components that will be permanent. Because the pieces are fused together, this is the strongest assembly option.

Spot Weld Assembly

Spot weld assembly bonds sheet metal together in a less permanent, less expensive way than weld assembly. This method is perfect for things like cabinets, where a more permanent solution than mechanical assembly is required, but the pieces can’t support the permanence of weld assembly.

Rivet Assembly

Rivet assembly is a permanent assembly type that utilizes rivets – which are bolt-like fasteners – to assemble two pieces together. Once the rivet is secured for assembly, the base expands up to one-and-a-half times its size. This secures the rivet and assembles the pieces together.

Because no welding occurs, this is an ideal method for assemblies that include different types of materials.

Your Assembly Options

No matter the type of assembly required, there are multiple choices for outsourcing your assembly needs. Whether you need a full assembly, a few pieces put together, or just components right off the manufacturing line, there’s an option for you.

Sub-Assembly

Sub-assembly is the most basic form of assembly – it involves taking your first piece, or base, and attaching different components to it. This process leaves you with “component assemblies” that can then be included in larger items throughout the process.

While a sub-assembly is often done in an initial location and then shipped to a secondary facility to be added to the final product, at Highland Machine we are able to take these pieces and continue the process in-house. This helps cut down on production time and costs while ensuring a high-quality product.

Partial Assembly

Partial assembly is essentially what it sounds like – a product that is partially assembled and delivered with the intent of the final assembly being completed at a different location. This is ideal for companies that outsource a portion of their manufacturing while keeping a portion in-house.

For an example of this option, we can look to Bitrode, a battery testing and equipment company that utilizes partial assembly from Highland Machine to outsource a portion of their electrical cabinet assembly. By providing a solution where cabinets were sent to Bitrode partially assembled and ready for finishing in-house, Highland Machine was able to increase their order capacity.

Full Assembly

Full assembly is when a product is delivered assembled and ready to go. This assembly allows a product to go directly to market from the supplier or be 99% of the way there.

For example, CK Power utilizes Highland Machine’s full assembly services for mobile power generators. Highland Machine not only handles the sheet metal fabrication and powder-coating, but also the full assembly of the product for CK Power. Then, when CK Power receives the generators, they add the engine and the product is complete.

Full assembly typically saves time and costs by allowing for all pieces to be completed in one location, lowering downtime between processes, reducing labor costs, and avoiding the expense of shipping products between vendors. It also reduces the risk of pieces being damaged during transportation from the metal fabricator to the assembly location.

All Your Production Needs Under One Roof

While there are many options for assembly types and options, one thing remains true: having all of your services complete under one roof saves time and money. By reducing downtime between processes, lowering labor costs, and limiting the risk of product damage during transportation, it’s important to find a team that can handle everything in one place. Plus, you can increase your savings by utilizing our in-house powder coating and inventory management services.

If you’re looking for a solution to sheet metal fabrication, assembly, and more, contact Highland Machine today!

Powder Coating versus Traditional Painting: Which is Better?

Posted on by Bill Sullivan

After its inception in the 1950s, powder coating has gained popularity in the manufacturing community thanks to its efficiency and durable finish. But, can it really be better than tried-and-true traditional paint?

Powder Coating Process

Before we compare these two techniques, let’s look at how the powder coating process works.

Powder coating is, essentially, the electrostatic application of powder to metal parts that are then heated – commonly referred to as baked –  to ensure a hard, continuous coating.

Powder coating begins with a pre-treatment and a surface preparation of the metal part that is to be “painted.” Each part is cleaned, removing anything that might interfere with the powder coating process (grease, dirt, etc.).

Once the metal is pre-treated and air-dried, it receives a high voltage electrostatic surge and is then covered with powder. This powder can be applied either through fluidized-bed – a process best for coating large irregular items such as dishwasher baskets or pipe fittings that involves a specialized process of dipping the items into a fluid bed with the powder coating – or spray techniques.

The powder is electrically charged, which allows for each particle to have a negative charge. This negatively-charged powder is attracted to your electrically-grounded part and allows for an even attachment and finish.

Next, the product is placed in the oven. Once the powder turns to gel and eventually cures, it’s removed from the oven, allowed to cool and ready to be put to work.

So, is powder coating the right choice for your needs?

When deciding between powder coating and traditional painting, it’s important to understand what methods work best for the types of material you have and for your desired outcome. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.

Advantages of Powder Coating

Durable and Strong

Powder coating has a very thick finish, making it extremely durable against imperfections such as chips, corrosions, scratches or damage from road debris. It also allows for customization in texture and colored finishes.

One and Done

Powder coating sets all at once and does not need a second or third coat like traditional wet paint, which means an even, no-drip finish the first time. Powder coating will also keep a more vibrant color much longer than traditional paint.

Environmentally Friendly

Liquid paint jobs are comparatively more hazardous than powder coating jobs. While liquid paint often contains harmful solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that require preventative safety measures for breathing and specific disposal, powder coating contains little to no VOCs and can be easily disposed of.

Efficiency is Key

Traditional paint jobs can take days for your product to air dry, but with powder coating, your product is cured and ready for use in under 30 minutes.

This means if you’ve got a larger project on your hands, powder coating is the economical choice.

Plus, since this technique uses powder and not liquid, any excess product can be reclaimed after each job, meaning less powder/product waste.

Disadvantages of Powder Coating

No Thin Finish

Powder coating is known for its durable, strong finish, which means it’s not ideal for any project that requires a thinner, more delicate finish.

Difficult to Touch-Up

Touch-ups for powder-coated products are more time-consuming than traditionally-painted projects and can sometimes require more work than a quick dab with a paintbrush. Luckily, powder coating is more durable than traditional paint jobs and needs to be touched up less.

Heavy Initial Costs

If you’re thinking about purchasing supplies to powder coat products yourself, understand that you won’t feel the economic savings until after expensive initial start-up costs, which include buying the appropriate oven and application guns.

If you’re not planning to powder coat in-house daily, we recommend finding a reliable partner for your powder coating needs.

Advantages of Traditional Painting

Thinner Paint Jobs

Traditional painting allows you to be more precise. If you’re painting smaller products, or if you’re looking for a much thinner finish than powder coating provides (up to 15-20 micro-centimeters), then traditional painting is likely your best bet.

Endless Color Options

With traditional liquid paints, your choices for custom colors and finishes is infinite. Liquid paints can easily be mixed together to create the perfect shade. Powder coating certainly has a large range of color options, but not every brand may offer every color you’re looking for.

Doesn’t Require Heat

Traditional painting can be used for objects that won’t be able to withstand powder coating’s hot oven.

Disadvantages of Traditional Painting

Watching Paint Dry

As we’ve mentioned earlier, traditional liquid paint projects can take days to air dry properly, making it much less efficient than a powder-coated product, which will dry within 30 minutes.

Easily Scratched

Liquid paint is much less durable and more prone to chips, scratches and damage from things like road debris.

Safety and Environmental Concerns

Liquid paint has a harsh effect on the environment and can be toxic to humans if not handled properly. It is not only flammable but also has solvents and volatile organic compounds that make it hazardous. Using liquid paint requires protective breathing measures and must be disposed of carefully.

Which One Is The Winner?

So, which one is right for you?

As you can see, choosing between traditional painting and powder coating depends on the needs of your project. Both options can have a great result depending on the products you’re working with. If you’re in need of powder coating or want more information on if it’s the right fit for your product, give Highland Machine a call! We’ll be happy to help you through the process.