CROSSLINK POWDER COATING

General Project Background Story: (used on postings for welder, sandblaster, and powder coater) Had about 14 pieces of heavy expanded metal grating used for protecting outside drains, drainage pipes, and 3 culverts that needed protection from debris and leaf build ups. Simplest were just flat pieces of expanded metal. 5 were heavy expanded metal with some steel spacers welded on backs Three were heavy duty welded assemblies, up to 3 ft x 4 ft, to protect water entrances to culverts on drive ways. These assemblies sit flush on top of concrete wall building blocks purchased form a depot type store that had been installed to create a depressed entrance area to the driveway culverts. These 3 needed to be strong enough to handle regular riding mower traffic and (hopefully) the occasional car that veered off the road. The also needed to be removable for future cleaning if that were ever needed. On previous attempts, I had grown tired of light weight metal that would get bent easily and trying to protect the steel from rusting by spray painting high quality primer and exterior paint onto the steel surfaces. I was looking for a long term solution knowing that involved considerably more expense than a short term patch solution. So, I decided (for the first time) to use quality welded assemblies for durability and ...powder coating to get far better protection of the metal in lieu of painting. ---------------------------------------------------- Met with James at Crosslink Powder Coating of Fort Worth. He was very efficient, knowledgeable, and patient with my questions. The visible portion of the work shop I saw was reasonably clean and work area was well organized. This type of facility is about getting the job done, and not about frilly reception / office areas and glitz to wow potential customers. Reviewed and selected the color to be a dark statuary bronze color, similar to the color of aged bronze statues. Reviewed and selected a second top coat of "flat" clear finish for even additional rust protection. Selected these finishes to closely match the paint on my home for continuity of colors. Agreed on costs and schedule needed. Vendor did exactly what we agreed upon at the cost we agreed upon. The work was done faster and ready for pickup faster than estimated. Do's: - Let them take the time needed to do the job right - Do consider darker colors - For abrasion concern, consider a second top clear coat on top of color coat. It is an expensive option, as the clear second coating doubles the cost of the project, but for abrasion and color color protection you might want to consider it. Don"ts: - Suggest avoidance of light colors that could show rust traces. Power coating is noted for durability, but can not be made perfect. At welded area or metal joint areas, there can be welding pinholes / porosity that the plastic can not fill (and my paint job attempts did not fill either ref). I was told that If present, these areas cold rust slightly and leave a rusty stain color or rusty drip area down a metal surface over time. Using a light color can cause an aesthetic rust stain problem over time. - Suggest avoiding a glossy finish in outside areas subject to bird poop. I was told that bird poop can attack the glossy finish over time and cause spots of conversion to flat finish. I did not ask if the same situation applies to satin clear finish top coats like the gloss clear finish top coat.