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Electrostatic Painting: Delivering the Highest ROI for Metalwork Reconditioning
By Michael Normandale | Business Development Manager | Connect on LinkedIn
Electrostatic painting is a unique painting system that has some key advantages versus conventional brush and roll repainting and reconditioning of metalwork. Read on to learn what it is, how it works, its benefits versus traditional paint applications, and the unrivaled quality of the finished product.
Electrostatic paint is a type of spray coating that is used to efficiently cover a metal substrate. It is applied by inducing an electrical charge to the paint particles that make up the spray, causing the paint to adhere to a metal substrate’s oppositely charged surface. Electrostatic painting is a specialty service that requires meticulous surface preparation, highly skilled applicators, specialized equipment, and the finest, advanced-technology paint products to achieve the best results.
The paint material and equipment necessary for electrostatic painting is more expensive than traditional finishes. However, initial cost is not indicative of value. Because paint is charged and drawn to the surface of a metal substrate, the material transfer, in a well-controlled environment, can be as high as 95%. Less material is lost to overspray, as happens with traditional spray methods. Due to high material transfer, value is added in saved material costs. With high adhesion and minimal overspray, electrostatic painting is especially ideal for extreme conditions such as painting window and door frames on high-rise buildings where a brush and roll finish is the only other alternative.
Perhaps the most notable benefit of an electrostatic finish is the quality of the appearance. Even though coatings are field applied, electrostatic painting is the best solution to return metalwork back to its original factory condition. To do this, two component aliphatic urethanes are used as a topcoat. They provide a hard finish that is insusceptible to marking, such as handprints (i.e., body soil build-up) on railings. Color and gloss retention are also superior to conventional coatings. Given the quality and durability of electrostatic paint materials, one can often get two paint cycles out of a single application. This results in considerable cost savings over time compared to a conventional repaint. Even a dark color will weather gently over the paint cycle. What’s more, electrostatic coatings offer warranty ranges from 5-15 years depending on the manufacturer, preparation, and application.
Every structure in South Florida has elements that can benefit from electrostatically applied coatings including, but not limited to:
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Exterior railings
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Interior and exterior window & door frames
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Metal roof systems
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Storefront frames
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Retail shelving
Compared to the cost of new railings, windows or doors, electrostatic painting is about 1/3 the cost of replacement. Electrostatic painting can be used to rehabilitate old, tired surfaces and return them to their previous luster.
As in many walks of life, opposites attract. The same is true for the electrostatic painting process. First, specialized equipment is used to ground the item to be recoated, giving it a negative charge. Second, the paint material is positively charged when leaving the spray gun. This creates an electrostatic field that operates in the same way as a magnetic field. When paint is sprayed, it is finely atomized and wraps around the surface of the item to be recoated. One of the most impressive capabilities of electrostatic painting is the ability to paint both sides of a railing from one side. The material is attracted to all the nooks and crannies that would normally be difficult to fill.
About Michael: Michael has almost 20 years of experience in the South Florida painting industry. Before joining Beachfront, he spent 15 years at Sherwin Williams, supporting sales operations, overseeing warranty compliance and recommending products for major projects. He's built strong relationships with many Gold Coast property managers, HOAs, apartment communities, hotels, engineers and concrete restoration contractors. He leverages those relationships, along with his deep painting and restoration expertise, to build Beachfront's business in Broward and Palm Beach counties.