How to Start a Powder Coating Business
Are you fascinated by powder coating jobs and wonder how to get in on the action? You could start your own powder coating business without the hassle and the good news is that you don’t have to know how to paint. There are various aspects of powder coating and you’ll find at least one that’s just right for you. This post will reveal all you need to know about this lucrative business and the basic steps to starting your own powder coating company.
Why powder coating is a thriving business
For a long time, the world has been using wet paints solely for painting various objects and materials. Generally speaking, painting over substances- be it wood, metal, rubber, or even rocks- will preserve them. Painting doesn’t just protect materials from rusts and other forms of deterioration; it also helps to beautify them. The advent of powder coating has brought about a suitable-if not better- alternative to wet painting and people in the powder coating market is already recording massive patronage. The advantages of starting a powder coating business include the following;
Powder coating is an upgrade on wet painting
If you’ve ever been to an apartment that’s going through some upgrade, don’t touch the walls, especially when there’s paint going on. Painting jobs with wet paints take longer to finish because the paint has to dry and that could take days. Also, it is more strenuous compared to using powder paints due to the technique and tools used in the process. Powder coating dries faster, is done quicker, and lasts longer than wet painting. For these reasons, the demand for powder coating services has drastically increased over the years so much that wet paint business owners have started employing people who are skilled powder painters to join their ranks. The rate at which the powder paint market is growing, due to the high demand, could slowly spell the end for wet paints.
It is eco-friendly
Another important factor that would boost the powder coating market is the fact that powder coating is good for the environment. According to experts- chemists, chemical engineers, biologists, etc. – the use of wet paints is toxic and could be harmful to the ecosystem- animals and humans. This is why powder coating is recommended in many developing countries and societies. The less wet paint we use, the healthier we will get, and this is good news to everyone interested or that is already in the business of powder coating. When people start realizing the health benefits of using powder coating services for their paint jobs, they will easily seek your services. Also, when the government gets a hint of something or a practice that could benefit its citizens, they encourage it and some go as far as banning the less beneficial alternative.
Not everyone can perform powder coating jobs
The world has gotten so used to wet painting that many people nowadays tend to carry out their domestic paint jobs themselves. There are many who like to get things done around the house by themselves without calling a professional in the field as long as they’ve got the necessary materials they need. The materials needed for painting with wet paints are easy to both find and use. On the other hand, powder coating is a relatively new process that many are still yet to completely understand how it works. It is a bit more complex than conventional wet painting. Also, the materials needed for painting with powdered paint are not like the ones most people are used to. For this reason, even when one goes on the internet to learn how to paint with powder paint, the tools to work with could still prove a setback. When most people don’t know how to perform a powder paint job on their own, and that increases your chances of getting more clients.
There are different aspects of the powder coating business
While the first thing people think of when they think of a powder coating company is that they paint over people’s possessions, there are other sides to it. Let’s not forget that these powder coats were made by some people, and they make tons of cash from it. Even though this aspect is not for those who don’t have a degree in any course that involves the making and mixing of chemicals, anyone who is keen can hire experts in this field. There is also an opportunity for those who neither want to be involved in making the powder coats nor perform powder coating activities for money. People sell these powder coats along with the common wet paint for money. There are also those who sell tools used for performing powder coating tasks. Then we have those who are skilled and comfortable with rendering painting services for others. There are many opportunities for people in this industry.
While powder coating is getting known for its many benefits, there is still one concern or two that could mean all is not so rosy after all in the powder coating industry. As innovative as powder coating is, it can only be used on some materials and objects. While wet paints will work smoothly on almost every material and object known to man, it is not the same for powder paints. Due to the nature of the process involved in using powder paints, they would not only flatter to deceive on some materials, they could even destroy them. A good example is a plastic and rubber; they would melt or get distorted in some way id they were to be painted on with powder paints. There are other materials that one shouldn’t use powder paint on and this will only reduce the rate at which clients would request your services. Although it seems to be a rather harsh reality this does not change the fact that more people are opting for powder coating services on a regular basis.
Essentials for powder coating businesses
Just like any other business or trade, there are some vital resources needed to perform powder coating activities satisfactorily. From small handheld tools to large trucks to carry both the powder coating technicians and every other essential tool down to the site where they are needed, you must have these materials, and more, to run a proper powder coating company. Since powder coating businesses can also be involved in the actual making of these powder coats, the tools needed are not limited to these;
A powder coating lab
If your aim is to offer powder coating services to people, which is offering painting jobs and the likes, then this is not for you. There are those whose focus is on making the powder coats for others to purchase. This is a lucrative side of the business but it is different from other aspects- trained personnel in fields like chemistry and chemical engineering would be needed to make the powder coats. For people who have a degree in these fields, it would be the best option for them. One would need a laboratory to prepare the powder coats and observe all necessary safety protocols.
A storage unit for the powder coats
This part is for everyone involved in the powder coating business. Whether you plan on manufacturing the powder coats or you prefer offering painting services, you need a safe spot to keep the materials, especially the powder paints. Since the powder paints are not liquid, they shouldn’t be exposed to the atmosphere or be kept in a windy environment otherwise they will get blown away by the wind. The powder coats should also be kept safely in such a way that there won’t be a chemical reaction between them and any other substance that could lead to something catastrophic.
An office or a shop
For a manufacturer of powder coats who also intends to sell them, it won’t be ideal and safe for customers to go to their labs to purchase the materials; that’s why they need to open a shop. A shop will have the powder coats there for people to easily have access to. And for those who are only interested in selling finished powder coats along with other essential powder coating tools like the spray gun and the curing oven, they must open a shop as well. Those who deal with powder coating tools can also deal with wet painting tools which will generate more income for them. As for those who go from place to place to perform powder coating services, they’ll need to have an office. Their office must be accessible even if they choose to open it in their homes. The office should be equipped with the basic equipment that would enable them to communicate well with their clients and even welcome guests who would like to do business.
A company vehicle
Having a vehicle for your business is one of the best things you could do for your business. Everyone who’s in the powder coating industry needs to own their own vehicle. Those who will be making the powder coats might need to take transport them to their clients and for safety reasons they are the best persons to transport the powder coats. They’ll ensure that they are kept safely and observe every protocol necessary to keep the powder coats ion the best conditions possible. This process also goes for those who run powder coating tools shops; there might come a time when they would have to go and get the powder coats and other tools they sell directly from the suppliers,. Also, if they offer home delivery services, then they definitely would need to get one or two vehicles. Those who paint for their clients with powder coats also need to have a vehicle that will take them to and from their job site. This vehicle should also have compartments for the essential tools they’d be working with.
Starting a powder coating business
Before you start your powder company, you must put a lot into consideration. A poorly planned business will not survive when times get tough. You must make sure that every facet of the powder coating business- all you’ll need, what shape it should take, and your overall expectations- is clearly sorted out. There are other important steps to take to ensure that you have a standard powder coating company.
Focus on an aspect of powder coating business
There are different ways one can make ends meet in this industry but you should start by choosing one. The demands of running more than one aspect of the business could take its toll in the early stages. If you are a skilled painter, you could focus on rendering painting services for clients with powder coats. For those who prefer buying and selling, powder coats are in demand, and selling them would prove lucrative. Also, the tools used for powder coating can also be sold by you if that’s your cup of tea. To produce powder coats, one would have to spend more and hire skilled persons in the chemical engineering field and the likes. Start by focusing on an aspect and learn more about what it takes to succeed in the area.
Learn the powder coating trade
Powder coating businesses are not the types one with little to no idea of should ever attempt to start. After you must have made up your mind on the aspect you choose to focus on, learn all you can about it. For some aspects, there would be a need for a degree, while others might not necessarily require one. For those who will be making the powder coats, they’ll need to have a degree in any chemical engineering-related field. No matter what one chooses to focus on, there is a need to learn all one can about the business.
Have your powder coating business registered
Registering your powder coating business is important. The process is different depending on the area or region where your business is based. Make findings to know what the requirements are and what fees are attached to it. To run a powder coating business, you must have a license. Due to the equipment and chemicals involved, you might need to have a certificate from a recognized body to prove that you have gone through some vital training and you can handle the equipment properly. Also, you’ll need a license to open your shop or lab wherever it is you wish to set it up. There are authorized bodies- mainly local- that is tasked with granting powder coating startups permits; locate them and get your license.
Get insurance for your powder coating company
Anything can happen in business, and getting insurance is a must. If other businesses with less risk of accidents get insurance, then a powder coating company has no reason for refusing insurance. A powder coating company deals with chemicals on a daily basis and some of them can be flammable, and vital equipment could get stolen. To be on the safe side, get your powder coating business insured.
Your priorities
In a powder coating business, some things must take precedence in order to ensure that you run a thriving company free of unnecessary glitches. The following should be your priority as you intend to start your powder coating company;
Safety
Unlike wet paints, powder paints are more likely to cause burns and injuries to people who come in direct contact with it, especially during the painting process. Chemicals are involved, and there’s also a source of heat that could be dangerous if not handled properly. For these reasons, there is a need for you to make safety a priority. Enforce strict safety rules that every member of your staff must follow before, during, and after coming in contact with these chemicals.
Safety should be ensured when collecting and storing the chemicals to make sure they don’t react with other substances and cause a problem. Simple safety rules that involve the handling of tools and chemicals are important; for example, no one should be permitted to carry more than a required number or weight of tools in the workshop or at the worksite. Every worker must wear personal protective gear before entering some areas in the workshop, and certain protective materials should be worn on the head and face to shield the eyes from burns.
Also, make sure that any other person, including the client who has hired you, doesn’t get inside the area you’re working unless they are properly covered. The safety practices you enforce will keep your team members safe, and you will not run a loss. In addition, if a client or any other person who’s not a member of your team gets hurt by any of your equipment, you might get into legal trouble. To avoid this, you must put clear signs around where you are working so that people can be aware of the danger. Also, ensure that all your tools and paint are well kept and arranged.
Quality service
While making safety a priority will help you to not get into trouble, another very important priority should be the quality of service you offer. When it comes to retaining clients, nothing works better than the quality service you must have rendered to them. Even though other attributes like how good you are with people will make you have the sort of rapport with clients that will make them keep you in mind, not everyone can be sentimental. The quality of your service is what speaks for you even when there’s no one to defend you.
Anyone who has never met you wouldn’t know how good a person you are to work with if no one tells them, they’ll only be able to judge you by your work. Make quality output your priority in this business as this will keep you in the hearts and minds of not just your client but also a neutral. The quality of the tools and materials you use are vital to the way your work will turn out. While some powder coating business owners would rather use inferior materials in order to save money, go for quality always and if what your client is offering is less than what you had in mind, let them know. You might not be able to get the best paint job done with the client’s budget, but let them know the likely outcome and suggest better alternatives.
Affordability
Quality doesn’t come cheap which means you must spend much to get as much. However, if you end up charging the highest for powder coating jobs in the land, you might end up running your business to the ground. Does that mean you must look for cheaper alternatives with inferior quality materials? No, it only means that you must look for ways to offer quality services that are affordable. This period is where resourcefulness comes in- every powder coating company owner must have this trait. The affordability of your services is something you plan ahead of time.
You would be making a dreadful error if you resolved to bargain with a client and offer discounts that would favor you both just before taking on a job. From the moment you decide to get the equipment, paint, and other essential materials for your business is when you should start planning to offer affordable services. It would be easier to offer competitive rates when the materials you get for your business are affordable and the total cost of running the business is not on the high side either. You risk sending your existing and potential clients to your competitors if you don’t figure out ways to offer affordable services with top quality.
Conclusion
If you were having doubts as to whether you would be able to start a powder coating company, now you know there are various ways to make it here. As you get to know people and work with different clients, don’t forget to promote your business- encourage referrals whenever you can. The powder coating market is booming and more people are getting interested in it, so start yours before everyone else does.