Powder-coated steel continues to be a popular form of fabrication and is used in a variety of situations. While this can be a good form of custom fabrication, it can cause challenges if the material needs to be altered with a professional welding service. When it comes to welding onto powder-coated steel, there are a variety of things that you need to know.
Downsides of Welding on Powder-Coated Steel
One of the issues that can arise if you are struggling with powder-coated steel and trying to weld on top of it is that the powder coating will essentially begin to melt. The materials with powder-coated steel are very similar to plastic and can start to break down when heated. This can make it much harder to weld the metal, and it could make the entire process less secure and stable.
How To Weld Over Powder Coated Steel
If you are struggling to weld on top of some powder coated steel, there are ways that you have to do it without sacrificing the entire project. One of the ways that you can help weld with this type of steel is by scraping away the powder coating. While this can be hard to do over a very large area, if you only need to scrape away a small part, you could open up a clean spot of exposed steel. Once this is done, you will have a much easier time welding the materials together.
Once the materials have been welded together, you can then apply additional coating or sprays to the final product. This will help to provide a quality custom fabrication that will look balanced.
Other Considerations
If you are going to try and weld a material that has had the powder coated materials scraped away, it is important that you are careful when welding. Scrape away more than enough of the material to ensure there is additional space when completing the weld. As the welding equipment can get very hot, even coating around the weld can start to melt and provide less structure and support.
As welding over powder coated steel can come with unique challenges and considerations, it is important that you always work with a professional welding service. These professionals will be able to provide you with effective welding services that will ensure you receive a quality final product and that all people are safe when completing this type of job.