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Consistency in color master plaques by powder coating

May 21, 2009

I am having some color masters made with silver metallic powder using a powder coat process.

How close of a Delta E can I expect between 50 plaques?

With E coat I can get no greater than 0.3 Delta E.

Can I get that close with a powder coat process seeing that the film build is 3 times thicker and with metal flake in the powder?

Charles Shaffer
Automotive OEM - Normal, Illinois

I have no doubts that the 50 plaques will meet with your approval... the problem will arise when you have to order more powder, then apply this in a production run.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom
May 26, 2009

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Expect <1.0 Delta E batch to batch variance from the master chip as typical unless you get a powder manufacturer to guarantee better. They are out there, you just have to find them, you'll pay more or have to contract minimal amounts of powder per batch to make it worth their wile.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
May 27, 2009

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June 1, 2009

What about within a single batch?

I have 56 panels that are powder coated at the same time.

What is the greatest deviation of Delta E with in the 56 panels.

Charlie Shaffer
- Normal, IL, U.S.A.

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Any answer you get to this question will be a guess at best. The manufacturer of the paint will be able to give you the best estimate, but the good news is how easy it is to answer the question yourself. Check all of the panels with a spectrophotometer and all of life's mystery's will be solved.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
June 4, 2009