Among the many processes that may be applied to a given metal or steel product to give it the desired characteristics, some of the most common are automated and carried out via production line formats. One of these that can be found in several forms of metal, including steel in certain formats, is known as a pre-painted metal coating.

At Wasatch Steel, we’re happy to provide clients with a huge range of steel products, from steel sheet and steel bar to steel plate and many others. What exactly is being referred to when you hear about pre-painted metal, and what are some of the major applications of this product? Here are several basics to understand.

Pre-Painted Metal Basics

Also known as coil-coated metal in some circles, pre-painted metal refers to a variety of metal products that may be coated with aa continuously applied film or coating. As noted above, this is typically an automated process, one that can be used on various forms of rolled steel, aluminum, and certain other materials.

Generally, these coatings will be applied in production lines that are dedicated to this purpose. Some products will have a single coating applied while others may have as many as three or more, with each layer having its own specific purpose. In some cases, a given product may require a primer coating before the main color layer is added.

In addition, many products will go through this coating process before then being processed further through methods like cutting, stamping, or others.

Process of Applying Pre-Painted Metal Coatings

When a steel or other metal product is being coated with pre-painted coating, this will typically follow a three-step process:

• Pre-treatment: During pre-treatment, the metal will be cleaned to remove any oils, greases, or other contaminants that may be present. This will help the paint or coating to adhere better and also improve the overall finish. The cleaned metal will then usually be pre-treated with a chemical agent, one that helps the paint or other coating to better adhere to the metal surface.
• Painting/Coating: After the pre-treatment process is complete, the actual painting or coating can begin. This will usually be done via a method known as electrostatic spraying, in which charged particles are used to apply the coating evenly across the surface of the metal. There may be other processes used in some cases, but this is one of the most common. There may be multiple layers of coating applied — sometimes of the same coating, and others involving several different coatings for the same product.
• Curing: Between each paint or coating application, the product will need to be cured. This usually involves baking the product in an oven, though other methods may be used in some cases. This helps the paint or coating to set properly so that it can provide the desired level of protection and durability for the final product.
• Finishing: Finally, the product will go through its finishing stage. This may include one final cure to ensure that the paint or coating is properly set. Once this is complete, the product may then be cut, stamped, or otherwise processed as needed for its final use.

As we noted above, this isn’t always the end of the road for the metal in question — it will often then be processed further to create the final product. But this is the general process that’s used to apply a pre-painted metal coating.

Our next several sections will go through some of the most common applications and uses of pre-painted metal.

Door Needs

One of the most common places you’ll see pre-painted metal is on doors. This includes both interior and exterior doors for homes, businesses, and other structures. The paint or coating helps to protect the door from the elements while also providing a level of decoration that can be quite pleasing to the eye.

You’ll find pre-painted metal doors in a wide range of colors, styles, and designs. This gives homeowners and business owners a lot of options to choose from when it comes to finding the right look for their needs.

Window Needs

Another common application for pre-painted metal is in windows. As with doors, this helps to protect the window from the elements while also providing a certain level of decoration.

You’ll find pre-painted metal windows in a wide variety of colors, styles, and designs. This gives homeowners and business owners a lot of options to choose from when it comes to finding the right look for their needs.

Various Panels

You’ll also see pre-painted metal in the form of various panels. These panels can be used for a wide range of purposes, including doors, windows, siding, ceilings, and more.

You’ll find pre-painted metal panels in a wide variety of colors, styles, and designs. This gives homeowners and business owners a lot of options to choose from when it comes to finding the right look for their needs. One of the most important panel areas in some designs, in addition, is insulation, which can be greatly improved with the use of pre-painted metal.

Specialty Products

Finally, there are several niche products that utilize pre-painted metal. These include solar panels and reflective materials, anti-bacterial surfaces, anti-static applications, fingerprint-resistant appliances and many others that may require a specialized paint or coating.

As you can see, pre-painted metal and steel products have a wide range of uses. To learn more about this or any other type of steel, or for a full rundown of our products and services, speak to the team at Wasatch Steel today.