There are a number of options for finishing steel products, however some of our gates are only available powder coated. We’ll let you know if this is the case when you ask us for a quote. The basic finishes we offer are powder coating, unpainted/raw steel, hot dip galvanising, natural/beeswax finish.
Powder coating
Click here for colour chart
Powder coating is our preferred method of finishing. It’s much tougher and long lasting than paint.To view a colour chart phone Interpon Powder coatings on 1800 630 516 and ask them to post you a D1000 Industrial colour chart. Once you get your Colour chart take it to where your item is going to be (inside or outside) to view colour in the actual light it will be under.
What colours do you offer?
Our quotes include most of the Colourbond colours from the ‘Excel Colourbond‘ range & the ‘Living Series‘ – quotes DO NOT include metallic, pearlescent and textured finishes. If you want any of those finishes then please let us know so we can check availability to factor it into your quote.
I’ve heard that powder coating is inferior to paint. Is this true?
No powder coating is not inferior. Powder coating got a bad name when certain operators only applied a single coat of colour directly to the steel. When the surface is not prepared properly it will flake and chip. Unfortunately this has given the industry a bad name. We only use operators who are reliable and ethical and who do the job properly.
Powder coated products go through a three step process. Your item goes in the oven twice, giving you a much better finish. The process is:
- Sandblasting: the item is sandblasted to remove any mill scale and dirt, as well as giving galvanised materials some ‘tooth’ so that the primer sticks.
- Zinc rich primer is applied and baked on at approximately 200C.
- Powder coat colour: The colour is applied and baked on.
If the paintwork is looked after (just as you would your car) the finish should look good for about 10 years. Should the item be scratched, it can easily be touched up with ‘touch up paint’.
Unpainted/raw finish
Rusty look:
Coat rusty items with Pentrol.
Some items are made from what is known as ‘black’ steel. This doesn’t mean it’s black, but refers to the fact that the steel is not treated, e.g. galvanised. Therefore it rusts when exposed to the elements. Some ‘black’ steel has a light protective paint coating (usually blue). This weathers and wears off after a while.
‘Corten’ powder coat sample is a good match for a rusty medallion.
Do you like the ‘old & rusty’ look? If so, do you want your item to rust evenly? If so, we recommend the item be sandblasted. However, if time isn’t an issue, then just leave it to weather naturally and depending on your climate, it will rust after a few months. The exact time it takes will depend on your climate.
Penetrol
Steel continues to rust if it’s not sealed. If you’re after the rusty look, then we suggest you let it rust and then seal it with a product such as ‘Penetrol’ once it’s reached the patina you like. Penetrol should be reapplied annually. Penetrol is low viscosity, so it penetrates tiny nooks and crannies. For more detailed instructions click here.
Corten – the ‘rust look’ powder coat colour
If you prefer the look of rust but want a more protected surface, consider the powdercoat colour called ‘Corten’. This colour resembles weathering or sculptors steel, also known as Corten Steel.
Unpainted-Galvanised steel:
Silver/galv finish: Pre-galvanised or zinc coated steel is used to make pipe gates, garden arches and other products. Galvanising protects the steel against rust, as the zinc coating is the ‘sacrificial’ metal. However, welds and some parts made from mild steel, e.g. wrought iron toppers, are prone to rust. Galvanising is broken down by the heat from welding. So, all items made from pre-galvanised steel, get a coat of a zinc rich primer (ColdGalv) over the welds before they leave the workshop. Cold Galv provides short term protection. However rust is inevitable on steel items. How quickly rust develops depends on the amount of moisture in any given environment.
When items are offered in a ‘silver/galv finish’ this is what we’re referring to – pre-galvanised pipe, unpainted with the exception of some cold galv on rust prone areas. Areas showing rust break through are quickly remedied with a spray of ‘Bright zinc’ paint.
Hot dip galvanising
We offer hot dip galvanising (HDG) as an additional option to ‘rust proof’ items. We strongly recommend items close to marine or corrosive environments be hot dipped. Hot dip galvanising is the only way to completely ‘rust proof’ steel. The process involves dipping the finished item in a bath of molten zinc. The pros for this method are that you will not need to rust-proof the item for several decades. However, the cons are:
- due to the high temperature of the bath, steel may warp. Therefore, some items are not suitable for this process;
- holes need to be drilled into the pipe to let any air escape;
- the surface is rough and lumpy.
- it’s more expensive. There is the cost of dipping and fettling (knocking off the slag/runs and lumpy bits).
HDG items can be painted or powder coated, but an appropriate etching primer must be used prior to application of paint. The cost of hot dip galvanising is about the same as powder coating alone.
Natural Finishes
Wax & Linseed Oil
These natural finishes are suitable for wrought iron used indoors. The wrought iron item is ‘steel brushed’ while hot. This removes any scale. Then we apply a wax or oil while the item is hot. We use a specially formulated mixture of natural waxes and oils that has a silky finish and pleasant aroma.
The natural patina of steel is preserved without the need to paint. Both Linseed oil & beeswax give a lovely lustre and finish.