Powder coat colours and finishes
Gloss, satin, matte and textures explained, how to pick a colour you'll love, and what to expect on the finished part.
What powder coat is.
Powder coat is a dry paint. It's sprayed on as a fine powder that clings to the metal, then baked in an oven where it melts into a tough, even skin. It's thicker and harder-wearing than spray paint, and it covers edges well.
Gloss levels.
| Finish | Looks like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| High gloss | Shiny, like a new appliance | Shows fingerprints and scratches more |
| Semi-gloss / satin | A soft sheen | The easy all-round choice |
| Matte / flat | No shine, modern look | Hides small marks well |
Textures and specials.
- Fine texture: a slightly sandy feel that hides fingerprints and small scratches. Great for things people touch.
- Wrinkle: a bold crinkled look, popular on equipment.
- Hammertone: looks hammered and hides uneven surfaces.
- Metallics: a shimmer of metal flake in the colour.
Picking a colour.
Screens show colours differently, so choose by name or by RAL code, the European colour numbers most paint suppliers use. RAL 9005 is jet black, RAL 9016 traffic white and RAL 7016 anthracite grey, for example. Choose from our standard colours when you order, or give us a RAL code for a custom colour.
For outdoor parts, powder coat over hot-dip galvanizing gives the longest life. Read galvanizing vs powder coating for the full comparison.
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