How Much Does Powder Coating Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $344 - $1,109
Powder coating costs an average of $716 but largely depends on the size and quantity of the parts.
Electrostatic painting costs an average of $60 per hour, but you could pay between $25 to $100 per hour. The national average for powder coating parts is $716, with a typical range of $344 to $1,109. Both finishes provide a protective and decorative coating that can make your old bike look new again or snazzy up those custom ATV wheels.
- Average
- $716
- Low end
- $180
- high end
- $2,400
Powder Coating Cost Breakdown
Powder coating involves a two-part dry finishing process, in which a pro applies a colored powder with a powder coating gun, then the object goes into a curing oven to create a durable finish. Powder coating adds a uniform and protective finish to metal products and is a great alternative to painting.
Cost to Powder Coat by Item
Because the cost to powder coat objects varies so much, you might be able to paint a single barstool or the whole metal bar on your budget. To give you a general idea of powder coats prices, we’ve listed a few common objects that you might powder coat and generally what you’ll pay:
| Item to Powder Coat | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bicycle | $70–$90 |
| 4-wheeler ATV frame | $250 |
| Motorcycle exhaust | $75 and up |
| Vehicle carburetor | $100–$200 |
| Standard car wheels | $50–$60 each |
| Side chair | $50–$75 |
| Sheet metal | $6 per square foot |
| Porch railings | $15 per foot |
| Barstool | $80–$100 |
| Patio table | $100–$130 |
| Patio table, chairs | $300–$430 |
| Wheels, one coat | $75 each |
| Wheels, two coats | $100 each |
| Wheel prep | $25 |
| Bike frame | $200 |
| Frame prep | $75 |
| Car | $400–$3,000 |
| Bed | $100–$200 |
| Loveseat | $125 |
| Armchair | $85 |
| Radiator | $200–$300 |
| Appliances | $75–$275 |
Labor Cost
The number of coats of paint, level of surface prep, and scope all add to the cost of labor. The project quote often includes labor costs, but you can expect about 60% of the total to go toward labor. The pros may also charge an hourly rate of about $50 to $150, plus the cost of materials.
Size
Powder coating costs about $0.40 to $0.70 per square inch for smaller items or around $1 to $5 per square foot for larger objects. The larger the object or objects you need to be painted, the more it will cost. For instance, if you want to paint a large metal table, you might pay as much as $125. But if your garden gnome needs a touch-up, you might only pay $15.
Paint Choice
There are a variety of paints you can use to powder coat an object. Most cost between $10 to $20 per pound. Special paints, like metallic and heavy-duty coatings, will add about $5 to $10 more to your overall costs. If you special order paint, expect to pay extra.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you already have the specialized equipment, you can flex your DIY skills and handle powder coating yourself. However, many homeowners may not already have a special curing oven or an electrostatic or powder coating gun lying around, which can increase this project's cost. In total, you’ll spend about $1,265 to $20,775 for the following items needed to powder coat:
Curing oven: $900–$19,000
Powder coating gun: $300–$1,500
Paint: $10–$20 per pound
Safety goggles: $5–$30
Work gloves: $15–$50
Gas mask: $35–$175
By comparison, hiring a pro costs about $10 to $20 per pound for the powder coating materials plus about $50 to $150 per hour for labor. The pros already have the equipment needed to do the job right, so it’s best and often less expensive to hire a powder coating specialist near you if you’re ready to give your old furniture, vehicles, or appliances a new look.
Cost of Common Powder Coating Add-Ons
Whether you’re trying to revive some old windows with fresh powder coating and new screens or glass or you’re looking to make an antique piece of furniture look good as new, there are many other projects you can tackle alongside powder coating. To get your older objects back to their prime, consider the following add-on projects and their average costs:
Appliance repair cost: $100–$250
Table refinishing cost: $150–$400
Window restoration cost: $200–$600 per window
Reupholstery cost: $370–$6,000
Furniture assembly cost: $40–$450
How to Save Money on Powder Coating
Powder coating can be a less expensive alternative to replacing your furniture, bike, or other well-loved objects. But the cost of powder coating can seriously add up, especially if you have bigger pieces that need refinishing. Luckily, there are a few ways to save on powder coating costs.
Skip the DIY: While DIY is often the way to go to save money, powder coating requires a lot of equipment. You’ll save more by hiring a pro for this project.
Take on some prep: While the pros will still need to handle the prep for the most even coating, you may be able to save by cleaning up your objects and removing any rust or corrosion before bringing them in for the powder coating process.
Consider paint costs: Specialty paints, like metallics or extra-durable paints, come at a higher cost. If you can, opt for standard paint choices to save money.
Get multiple quotes: Get at least three quotes from powder coating specialists and choose the bid that offers the most value for your money, such as extra prep or coatings that still fit into your budget.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Powder coating has many benefits. It works as an alternative to paint for materials that paint doesn’t stick to well, like metal. Because powder coating goes through a curing process, powder-coated objects are easy to clean and durable, resisting issues like rust, chipping, cracking, and UV damage. It can also use less materials compared to painting.
Powder coating can be less expensive than traditional spray painting. If you’re doing it yourself, upfront costs can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars higher than hiring a pro. But if you plan to powder coat many items and use the oven and gun often, the upfront cost may be worth it.
On average, powder coating should last from 15 to 20 years. However, some powder coating applications may last up to 40 years, depending on a couple factors. Skilled application helps, so hiring a pro to tackle this project can pay off in the long run. While powder coating is durable, it will last longer on objects stored inside or under a covering than objects outside in the sun, rain, or snow.
Yes, powder coating is rust-resistant and durable. It resists peeling, cracking, chipping, rust, and damage due to abrasion. It also retains color and is UV resistant. But if the powder coating isn’t applied properly, moisture can reach the metal object underneath. The metal can start to rust, which may show up beneath the powder coating.
You can remove powder coating with a chemical stripper, in a burn-off oven, or by sandblasting. Chemical strippers can remove most powder coatings in 20 minutes or less. But they are harsh and must be treated with care.