Powder Coated Products - Handling and Care
BLACK POWDER COATED PRODUCTS
This document contains important information regarding the handling, care, treatment, and details of our Black Powder Coated materials, specifically our posts and escutcheon plates.
Handling
Before unpacking your order, please be advised that our powder-coated products feature a dry, thermally cured finish. Unlike black oxide, there is no solvent-based oil coating or residue to worry about. While powder coating is renowned for being significantly tougher and more impact-resistant than standard paint, it is not indestructible. It can be scratched, chipped, or gouged if struck by installation tools, dropped, or dragged against rough surfaces.
We recommend keeping your posts and escutcheon plates wrapped in their protective packaging for as long as possible during the layout process. When handling and installing these materials, use care to pad your tools and avoid metal-to-metal impact. It is important to understand that while the powder-coated finish provides an excellent barrier against the elements, you should still treat this as a premium applied finish. Like any surface, it will acquire damage from abuse.
Care
Our powder-coated posts and escutcheon plates are manufactured from 6061-grade billet and treated with a heavy-duty powder coating. To maximize the lifespan and aesthetics of this finish, regular, gentle cleaning is highly recommended.
Once you have completed your cable installation, we recommend cleaning these products using a soft, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth and warm water. This will aid in the removal of fingerprints, construction dust, and other environmental particles that have settled on the metal. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Important Note: Never use harsh chemical solvents (like acetone or paint thinner), abrasive cleaners, or steel wool on your powder-coated posts and plates, as this will scratch, dull, or permanently damage the finish. If you are applying Boeshield T-9 Lubricant to your adjoining stainless steel cables, simply wipe away any excess lubricant that gets onto the powder-coated surfaces with a clean cloth.
Powder Coat Processing
Our black powder-coated materials are finished using an advanced process where a dry, electrostatically charged powder is applied to the metal. The product is then placed in an industrial oven and cured under intense heat. This process melts the powder into a smooth, continuous, and cross-linked molecular layer. This creates a hard, protective shell that boasts superior resistance to UV fading, chipping, scratching, and wear compared to conventional liquid paints, all without compromising the integrity of the underlying metal.
Disclaimer: Salt Air Environments
Salt air environments (up to 50 miles inland of the ocean) are highly corrosive. While our powder coating provides an exceptional, weather-resistant barrier, the environment can still take a toll over time. All architectural metals, including stainless steel cables and fittings exposed to salt air, should expect to see corrosion develop at an accelerated rate when used outdoors.
For your powder-coated posts and escutcheon plates, the primary risk in salt air environments is physical damage. If the powder coating is breached (via a deep scratch or chip down to the bare metal), the highly corrosive salt air can penetrate the finish, potentially leading to localized oxidation, blistering, or corrosion creeping beneath the coating. We highly recommend regularly inspecting your posts and plates, keeping them clean of salt deposits, and immediately addressing any accidental chips or scratches with an appropriate exterior-grade touch-up paint.